SPATIAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES | The Investigator

Analysis in Action: Introduction to GIS Spatial Analysis Techniques, 15 October 2025

Workshop introduces GIS Spatial Analysis, a powerful technique that enables analysts to visualise crime patterns, analyse spatial relationships, predict potential areas of concern and aid decision making.

GIS integrates location data with other relevant information, providing a powerful platform for mapping, analysis, and strategic planning.

The workshop is the latest in our popular series that provides operational best practice for crime and intelligence analysts in law enforcement and wider public and private sector.

It is aimed at crime and intelligence analysts who want to learn new skills as well as those more experienced analysts who want to develop and enhance existing skills.

It will focus around four key themes:

The fundamentals of GIS
Cartography
Spatial statistics
Software

It will be led by Dr Nick Bearman who is a leading authority in GIS and spatial data. He delivers GIS Spatial Analysis training to the public and private sector. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and a Chartered Geographer.

We are delighted to welcome Nick to the workshop and share his invaluable experience with analysts.

Dr Bearman will be joined by Alison McBride, Senior Intelligence Analyst from a UK police force who has over a decade of experience as a crime and intelligence analysis

Alison will be demonstrating how these key themes can be applied in an operational context in Session Four.

Held online via Teams

Certificates of CPD available

Outline of the day

Session One: The fundamentals of GIS

An insight into GIS and how it can be used in a crime setting.

We will discuss different data types (vector/raster, point/line/polygon) where data comes from (internal / external / local knowledge).

We will also discuss some common data sets, some common geographies, use of postcodes for geocoding (precision) and examples of crime related applications.

Session Two: Cartography

This will cover how we go about sharing spatial data and making it easy for others to use.

Nick will discuss some general concepts, show some examples and talk about static and interactive maps.

We will also discuss the processes on how we create maps, and the key issues and considerations to think about when creating maps.

Session Three: Spatial Statistics and Software

This will cover some spatial statistics (spatial autocorrelation, clustering, location quotient) and how they can be used with crime data.

We will also talk a bit about different types of GIS software and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

This will include some of the advantages/disadvantages of scripting analysis (R / Python) vs using a graphical interface (ArcGIS Pro / QGIS) and other tools (PowerBI / Tableau).

Session Four: Use of geospatial analysis in an operational environment, Alison McBride, Senior Intelligence Analyst, UK police force

Creation of self-service web mapping applications
Potential applications of 3D geospatial analysis techniques for crime and intelligence use cases
Summary of techniques for pattern of life analysis
Overview of relevant geospatial datasets for operational crime analysis, including sources (open-source and internal)
Imagery analysis, including object detection from aerial/satellite imagery
Chronolocation techniques, such as determining the time and location of imagery based on contextual clues

HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £199.99 + VAT (GBP) per delegate (LEA and Government Agency rate). £249.99 + VAT (Industry rate).

Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.

Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.