Fundamentals of Crime Analysis

This 12-week online course introduces students to a variety of analytical techniques used in law enforcement to describe and understand crime patterns, series, and trends as they occur.

Throughout the course, students examine concepts, theories, practices, data, and analysis techniques associated with the field of crime analysis for law enforcement. Additional topics include understanding criminal behavior, behavioral geography, linking crimes, forecasting, and prediction, with case studies used to apply the material.

Instructor: Gwen Udell

At a Glance

Students who already own the 4th Edition may use it, but new purchases should be the 5th Edition.

Upcoming Sessions

Select the session that works best for your schedule. Once a session has passed or is already in progress, registration is disabled.

This class routinely fills in advance, and future sessions may sell out early.

Note: availability labels are updated manually. For the most accurate information, refer to the registration form. If a class does not appear on the form, it should be treated as sold out.

Class Format

This course is intended for brand new analysts or officers with little to no training, executives charged with developing crime analysis programs, or self-taught journeyman analysts looking for formal training.

Students should expect a time commitment of 3-5 hours per week to gain a passing grade. The course is graded as pass/fail and follows a weekly-structured online format, meaning the class advances through each topic together week by week.

Students can log in whenever it fits their schedule, and there are no live sessions. Participation throughout the course is required for a passing grade. As a rule, bulk submissions during the last week of class are not accepted unless prior authorization has been granted by the instructor.

Invitations to the learning platform are sent the weekend before class begins.

Course Outline

This course is organized into 12 weekly modules that introduce the foundations of crime analysis and build toward practical application of tactical, strategic, and geographic analytical methods.

Ready to Enroll?

Choose an upcoming session and complete your registration. If a session fills, students may contact [email protected] to ask about availability, the waitlist, or future offerings.