http://www.npr.org/2013/07/26/205835674/can-software-that-predicts-crime-pass-constitutional-muster

This is an example of a discussion being held by people who lack insight. The example application is a limited application of predictive analytics in policing that only focuses on force deployment. These solutions are not focused at proactive and preventative prosecution but to smarter deployment of police resources to pro-actively prevent crimes by being present.

This is not different from the process police is currently using. The difference is that it is used more consistently and in the same way across all entities, minimizing the effect of prejudices & biases and other human decision making frailties and judgment errors.

The software uses advanced algorithms to detect patterns in (criminal) behavior on historical data and uses these patterns to make prediction for the future. In essence it emulates the human experts but it does it across more (detailed) data, across more characteristics and more targeted than is possible for a human. As stated before it then consistently applies these models to all data to and makes the results available to humans as input for their final decsion. The software itself does not automatically make decisions. The use of the information in the decision making process is orchestrated by the police.

There's no use of personal data of individuals. For the Crime Prediction & Prevention data can for example be used about crimes (type of crime, location, time, modus operandi,...), about triggers of crime (local events (small & large), pay days, holidays,..), data about enablers of crime (police presence, weather, status of streetlights, other protection measures (f.e. cctv or private security firms),...) and information about the location (distance to ATM, number of empty buildings, average distance between buildings, alarm systems...).

Data relating to individuals can be of importance to use in other areas of Crime Prediction & Prevention. For example models that predict repeat victimization that allow the Police to better identify, protect and help people that are very vulnerable. Also in models for predicting repeat offenders this type of data may play a role. Having a better insight in re-offending risks allows for better offender management (trying to prevent people from recidivism).

For some case studies see:http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/global/files/us__en_us__leadership__miami_dade.pdfhttp://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/en/ytl03131usen/YTL03131USEN.PDFhttp://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/en/ytc03059usen/YTC03059USEN.PDFhttp://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/leadership/memphispd/assets/pdf/IBM_MemphisPD.pdfhttp://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/en/ytc03043usen/YTC03043USEN.PDFhttp://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/en/ytc03079usen/YTC03079USEN.PDF