THE ROLE OF CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY IN ASSESSING THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME

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Strain theory

The term “anomie” is generally referred to a disregard for law. Anomie as used by Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton involves a moral malaise, a lack of clear-cut norms with which to guide human conduct (normlessness) (Giddens 1998:177). The work of Merton has been used by contemporary integrated criminological theories as an important basis of thought. These contemporary theories are discussed at the end of this chapter.

Social disorganisation theory

Social disorganisation theory focuses on the conditions in the urban environment that affect crime rates. A disorganised area is one in which institutions of social control, such as the family, commercial establishments and schools have broken down and can no longer carry out their expected or stated functions. Indicators of social disorganisation include high unemployment and school drop-out rates, deteriorated housing, low income levels and large numbers of single-parent households. Residents in these areas experience conflict and despair, and as a result antisocial behaviour flourishes (Siegel 2003:182).

HE USEFULNESS OF CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY

Although the word “theory” most likely suggests something that is “just theoretical” and “not practical”, the truth is that theory is very useful in the real world. Theory is aimed at explaining things we have observed. Theory thus allows us to make sense of what we experience and things in the world in general. As for criminological theories, they attempt to explain why criminality occurs, based on the many observations of criminal behaviour over the years. Theory allows us to understand why criminal behaviour occurs, and where and when it is most likely to occur. Ultimately, we can use the findings from tests of theories to prevent criminal behaviour or lessen the likelihood that it will occur (Paulsen & Robinson 2004:6).

ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY

The energy measured in remote sensing is electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic energy is a dynamic form of energy that is caused by the oscillation or acceleration of an electrical charge. This is associated with atomic nuclei during fusion reactions, with electrons as they drop from high to lower-energy orbits in an atom or molecule, and with the random movement of atoms and molecules. All natural and synthetic substances above zero continuously produce and emit a range of electromagnetic energy in proportion to their temperatures. Absolute zero is expressed as 0 K on the Kelvin or absolute scale, which is -273.16 °C on the Celsius scale.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Energy is defined as the capacity to work. In the course of work being done, the resulting energy must be transferred from one body to another or from one location to another location. Such energy transfers can be accomplished by one of three methods, namely conduction, convection and radiation. Radiation is the only method by which solar energy can cross millions of kilometres of free or empty space and reach the earth, and is the method of energy transfer with which remote sensing is concerned. The term radiation is commonly used today to describe both the process of energy propagation and the energy that flows in this manner (i.e. electromagnetic radiation) (Avery & Berlin 1992:4).

CONTENTS PAGE :

• KEYWORDS
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• LIST OF FIGURES
• LIST OF TABLES
• LIST OF GRAPHS
• LIST OF DIAGRAMS
• CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 INTRODUCTION
  • 1.2 DEFINITIONS
    • 1.2.1 Criminology
    • 1.2.2 Criminological theories
    • 1.2.3 Crime
    • 1.2.4 Criminologist
    • 1.2.5 Murder
    • 1.2.6 Burglary
    • 1.2.7 Robbery
    • 1.2.8 Rape
    • 1.2.9 Electromagnetic energy
    • 1.2.10 Electromagnetic radiation
    • 1.2.11 Remote sensing
    • 1.2.12 Spatial Technology
    • 1.2.13 Crime analysis
    • 1.2.14 Crime combating
  • 1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
  • 1.4 RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
  • 1.5 METHODOLOGY
    • 1.5.1 Selection of study area
    • 1.5.2 Spatial analysis techniques
  • 1.6 RESEARCH RESULTS
  • 1.6.1 Macro results
    • 1.6.1.1 Commercial land use class
    • 1.6.1.2 Industrial land use class
    • 1.6.1.3 Informal land use class
    • 1.6.1.4 Residential high-density class
    • 1.6.1.5 Residential low-density class
  • 1.6.2 Micro results
  • 1.7 THESIS OUTLINE
  • 1.8 CONCLUSION
• CHAPTER 2: THE ROLE OF CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY IN ASSESSING THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME
  • 2.1 INTRODUCTION
  • 2.2 MAJOR THEORETICAL APPROACHES IN CRIMINOLOGY
    • 2.2.1 Demonological theory
    • 2.2.2 Classical theory
    • 2.2.3 Neoclassical theory
    • 2.2.4 Marxist / Conflict theory
    • 2.2.5 Positivist theory
    • 2.2.6 Sociological theories
• CHAPTER 3: REMOTE SENSING AND FUTURE RELATED TECHNOLOGIES
  • 3.1 INTRODUCTION
  • 3.2 ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY
  • 3.3 ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
  • 3.4 IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS
  • 3.5 REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS
    • 3.5.1 Characteristics of real remote sensing systems
    • 3.5.2 Satellite scanning systems
  • 3.6 ORBITAL SCIENCE
    • 3.6.1 Injection into orbit
      • 3.6.1.1 Orbital elements
      • 3.6.1.2 Earth observation orbit types
• 3.7 EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES
  • 3.7.1 Earth observation satellite history
  • 3.7.2 The first remote sensing sensors
  • 3.7.3 Earth resource satellites in operation
    • 3.7.3.1 Current earth observation satellite missions
    • 3.7.3.2 Future missions
• 3.8 FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES
  • 3.8.1 Very high resolution satellites
  • 3.8.2 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
  • 3.8.3 Hyperspectral imagery
• CHAPTER 4: TEMPORAL SPATIAL ANALYSIS WITHIN THE TSHWANE MUNICIPALITY BOUNDARIES TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND USE GROWTH AND CRIME
  • 4.1 INTRODUCTION
  • 4.2 RATIONALE FOR STUDY AREA
  • 4.3 SELECTED STUDY AREA
  • 4.4 METHODOLOGY FOR SPATIAL ANALYSIS
    • 4.4.1 GIS project management
    • 4.4.2 Macro analysis
      • 4.4.2.1 High-density residential land use class
      • 4.4.2.2 Low-density residential land use class
      • 4.4.2.3 Informal residential land use class
    • 4.4.3 Micro analysis
  • 4.5 MACRO ANALYSIS RESULTS
    • 4.5.1 Landsat image classification 1994 to
• CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• BIBLIOGRAPHY

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SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL TO ANALYSE AND COMBAT CRIME