A Chaid contribution to the detection of criminal profiles: developments in strategic planning and tactical guidance of police resources in the Algarve region

The knowledge of criminal profiles in what relates with the time of occurrence and the characteristics of suspects and victims is a valuable source of information to the police, both in a strategic and tactical perspective. In a more traditional point of view, this type of information allows for a more efficient allocation of human and material resources, shortening the response times and increasing the productivity of police departments. The objective of this paper is to define the profiles of suspects and victims of criminal offenses in the Algarve in the period between 2008 and 2009 using the CHAID methodology. This knowledge provides the necessary information to reorganize the police model in the Algarve, guarantying that the police will be in the right place at the right time, thus increasing productivity and reducing crime rates.