Rigel Analyst

Typical Rigel Analyst Applications

These are some examples of actual cases where Rigel Analyst software assisted in solving the case.

Case 1: The Chair Burglar – Irvine, California

Crime analysts in Irvine, California (a suburb of Los Angeles) noticed a pattern of an unusually high number of professional residential burglaries in the early evening hours in locations where houses were easily accessible from the rear via a public lane or green belt. A additional detail was noted that the burglar often employed a deck chair or other similar item to assist his quick escape over the rear fence. Once noticed, the pattern was found to extend back for many years, and moved from one neighborhood to another. Analysts surmised that the burglar was driving to the neighborhood and then casing the area and conducting burglaries over a period of a few weeks before moving on.

A time-series analysis was prepared showing the pattern of movement from one neighborhood to another. When the pattern clearly showed movement into a new neighborhood, analysts used the latest geographic profile to suggest possible anchor points where the offender might be parking a vehicle in the neighborhood, and patrol officers were asked to watch those locations for a week.

On the first evening officers spotted a suspicious rental vehicle at one of the suggested locations. Subsequent investigation via the rental agency confirmed a likely suspect for the burglaries, and GPS tracking and covert surveillance were employed to tie to suspect to a subsequent burglary. A large amount of stolen merchandise was recovered from the suspect’s home, and DNA confirmed a link to previous burglaries in the lengthy series. Irvine police found that this prolific burglar had been active for many years, responsible for single-handedly raising the crime rate in Irvine through millions of dollars worth of stolen property.

Geographic Profiling Analyst: Lorie Velarde (Irvine PD)

Case 2: Rural Cottage Burglaries – Midland, Ontario, Canada

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were investigating a series of over 80 burglaries in a cottage community near Midland, Ontario. Investigators had numerous suspects for these crimes. Using the Geographic Profiling, investigators were able to focus the investigation on a small area of the community.

Surveillance was conducted on the one suspect who lived in the peak profile area and sufficient evidence was gathered to result in an arrest. The offender was subsequently charged with numerous (50) offences and stolen property recovered. His residence was located in the top 0.06% of the total area of the crimes (an area less than 100m x 100m).

Geographic Profilers: Brad Moore (OPP)

Case 3: Bank Robberies –Staffordshire, England (Operation Tornado)

Police from several jurisdictions were seeking a common offender in a series of robberies of financial institutions throughout central England. The older white male, simulating a weapon, had struck 32 times between September and June.

The victimized banks were in small towns and villages spread over some 20,000 square kilometres. Geographic Profiling aided investigators by directing the search for the offender’s residence on an area of 2,015 sq. km (10.3% of the area under consideration) and helped in focusing a CrimeWatch appeal to the general public. A resulting tip from the public lead to the offender, who lived in the village of Buxton (within that 10.3% area) being arrested and charged with multiple counts of robbery.

Geographic Profiler: Scot Filer (RCMP)

Confidentiality restrictions prevent disclosure of most case details, but additional information may be obtained by law enforcement personnel by contacting the agency involved. Contact ECRI for assistance.