ADVANCES IN VIOLENT CRIME ANALYSIS AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT - THE CANADIANVIOLENT CRIME LINKAGE ANALYSIS SYSTEM

After two years of research and development, the Royal Canadian Mounte d Police (RCMP), in conjunction with the Ontario Provincial Police (OP P), introduced the Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS). Thi s computerized system allows trained specialists to link crimes such a s serial homicide and serial sexual assaults. ViCLAS represents the ap plication of the latest technology in crime linkage analysis to assist in criminal investigation. Now considered to be the ''gold standard'' of linkage analysis systems, it has been adopted by Australia, The Ne therlands, Belgium, and Austria with 10 other nations examining the po ssibility of using ViCLAS. In the United States, Indiana and Tennessee use the system. This article examines the evolution and development o f ViCLAS and its contribution to criminal investigation. (C) 1998 Else vier Science Ltd.