At IDEA Analytics, we connect the dots for our clients using systematic and new approaches to achieve lasting results.

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Dr. Jessica Herbert

DR. JESSICA HERBERT

CEO & Founder

Dr. Jessica Herbert (she/her/hers), Founder/CEO of IDEA Analytics, brings over 20 years of experience in policing, research, and data science to lead clients through transformational projects. As the leader of IDEA Analytics, Jessica believes the best path for change and transformation includes meaningful collaboration with stakeholders. She implements these values throughout IDEA’s four-phased approach to help organizations Identify their current and desired objectives, Develop sustainable changes and responses, Educate staff and community on new approaches, and Assess progress toward organizational goals.

Jessica’s career has spanned government, public, and private industry. She began her path as a law enforcement officer in Fairfax County (VA) where her analytical and investigative skills supported multi-year investigations for the Northern Virginia Violent Crime and Firearm Taskforce, a collaboration among Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service (USSS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this capacity, Jessica supported interstate and international investigations regarding firearm, human, and drug trafficking, money laundering, and other complex crimes. Upon leaving public service, Jessica leveraged her investigative skills with private industry on cybersecurity threats within financial, energy, and manufacturing industries, resulting in protections against domestic assets and intellectual property. During this time, she also held a teaching position with George Mason University (GMU) Criminology, Law and Society Department on topics of Homeland Security, Intelligence Analysis, and Policing. She also sponsored GMU’s student-led Intelligence Community Group, developing events to engage with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Department of Defense (DoD) leaders for intelligence simulations and exercises.

In focusing most recently on domestic policing topics, Jessica applies her leadership, expertise, and advisement to public safety officials on matters of data-driven or intelligence-led policing, problem solving, program strategies, and organizational change. Her expertise has been leveraged within national crime reduction initiatives such as the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Diagnostic Center, the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Violent Reduction Network(VRN)/National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), Crime Analysis on Demand and Technology Initiatives, and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). In addition, Jessica works with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center and Field-generated Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance programs, and with Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program’s (OJJDP) juvenile justice reform efforts to coordinate with victim service providers, nonprofits, and community-based organizations. Her multi-system and collaborative work approaches resulted in sustainable, long-term strategies to support organizational shifts and enhance data-driven responses to community needs.

Jessica’s individualized and pragmatic approach to every project has earned her awards and commendations from local government leaders, United States Attorney’s Office, the ATF, and community members. These successes are informed by her past work in over 80 cities, focusing on strategic decision making for local governments of all sizes. Jessica’s ability to help clients quickly assess and articulate their needs and develop a path through implementation has made her a sought-after strategic partner.

Dr. Herbert holds double bachelor’s degrees of Administration of Justice and Sociology from George Mason University, a Master of Arts in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her Doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. She has several professional certifications in topics of design learning, data science, and other technical skills. Her research interests focus on organizational behaviors and capacity building for public safety and communities to support change, which she is always excited to talk about with others. When not traveling around the US and other countries, Jessica lives in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Arizona) where she supports the small business community, enjoys hiking, meditation, and the cultures of the SouthWest.

2023

Action Plan  | (Forthcoming, 2023), Salisbury (NC) WESTEND Community Violence Intervention Project
Herbert, J.L. & Hubbert, N.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative.

Journal Article | (Forthcoming, 2023). But I am here to help: How School Climate Factors and Interactions Define School Resource Officer Roles
Cesar, G., Herbert, J.L.

Journal Article | (Forthcoming, 2023). Who Needs What? An Examination of Offender-Victim Patterns to Inform Community Violence Intervention Strategies
Herbert, J.L., Harris, M., & Hubbert, N.

Journal Article | (Forthcoming, 2023). Jarvis – Just a Really Very Intelligence System: Crime Centers in Modern Policing
Herbert, J.L., Smith, P., Draisin, J.

Report  | (Forthcoming, 2023) Final Evaluation Report: Organizational Impacts of Salisbury (NC) Crime Information Center
Herbert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, SMART Policing Initiative.

Article  | (Forthcoming, 2023). The Police Chief Magazine, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Stokes, J., Bladel, J., Birkenfeld, M., & Herbert, J.L.
The Police Chief Magazine, International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Journal Article | Recalling Responses: A RCT on Police Learning and Knowledge Retention
Bonadies, T., Herbert, J.L., Cordner, G., & Carter, C.
Policing: A Journal of Policy & Practice, Contemporary Policing Issues Addressed through Collaborative Partnerships.

Report  | Project Safe Commute Evaluation: Yakima (WA) Police Department
Stevens, C., Hubbert, N., & Jernert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Project Safe Neighborhoods, Eastern District of Washington.

Presentation  | SPI Results: Salisbury (NC) Crime Information Center. Webinar for Bureau of Justice Assistance, Smart Policing Initiative (SPI)
Herbert, J.L. & Smith

  • 2022

    2022

    Journal Article  | The Frequency and Clustering of Autism-Related Behaviors During Encounters between the Police and the Autistic Community
    Wallace, D., Herbert, J., Hassrick McGhee, E., & Kabourek

    S. Policing: An International Journal, Special Edition on Police Contact with Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

    Report | Building Analytical Assessment: Ellensburg (WA) Police
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Training and Technical Assistance Center

    Action Plan | Amarillo (TX) Regional Crime Information Center
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, SMART Policing Initiative

    Case Study | Orlando (FL) Police Department Crime Center
    Herbert, J.L. & Corona, A.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Crime Analysis on Demand Initiative

    Journal Article | The Informal, Non-Organizational Ways Police Officers Receive Training on Encounters with Autistic Individuals
    Herbert, J.L., Pelletier, K. & Wallace, D.
    Policing

    Presentation | Building Analytical Capacity: Salisbury (NC) Crime Information Center
    Herbert, J.L. & Smith, P.
    Problem Oriented Policing Conference: Ann Arbor, MI.

    Presentation | Gun Violence Data Development (five-part series)
    Herbert, J.L. & Hubbert, N.
    IDEA Analytics’ Virtual Event

    Presentation | Advancing to Automation
    Hubbert, N., Sellsted, T., Bonds, R., Orosco, C., & Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics’ Virtual Network Event

    Presentation | Smart Data: Using Fire Response Data in Data-informed Decision Making
    Leblanc, J. & Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics’ Virtual Network Event

  • 2021

    2021

    White Paper | Scanning and Analysis: The Initial Phases of Starting Crime Reduction Programs
    Hubbert, N., & Herbert, J.L.

    White Paper | Appropriate Response Committee Initiative
    Corona, A., Hubbert, N., & Herbert, J.L.
    Yakima (WA) Police Department

    Action Plan  | Gang and Gun Violence in Rural Cities
    Herbert, J.L. & Corona, A.
    Project Safe Neighborhoods: Yakima (WA) Police Department

    Presentation | People Domain: Hiring and Staffing for Crime Centers
    Draisin J., Avila, L., & Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics SPI Work Group

    Presentation | Technology Domain: Procurements for Police Crime Centers
    Smith, P. & Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics SPI Work Group

    Presentation | Data Management in Policing and Local Government
    Herbert, J.L.
    Arizona State University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

    Presentation | Ask an Expert: Human Trafficking Data – Using Local Data to Better Understand Trafficking in your Community
    Martinez de Vedia, G., Reock, E., & Herbert J.L.
    Webinar for the Office of Victims of Crime, Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center

  • 2020

    2020

    Journal Article | Interactions between Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and the Police: The Fears of Parents, Caregivers and Professionals
    Wallace, D., Herbert, J.L., Tyler, D. and McGee-Hassrick, E.
    Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice

    White Paper  | Crime Analysis: Considerations for Establishing or Enhancing Capacity
    Wartell, J., & Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program.

    Case Study | School Resource Officers’ Identification of Student Risk Factors
    Herbert, J. L.

    Presentation  | A New Approach to Person-based Strategies for Crime Reduction
    Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics Virtual Network Event

    Presentation  | Analytical Approaches for Car Thefts
    Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics’ Virtual Network Event

    Presentation  | Building your Analytical Library
    Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics’ Virtual Network Event

    Presentation  | Analytical Units: Resources and Research – Policy for Unites, Crime Centers, and Divisions
    Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics Virtual Network Series

    Presentation  | Crime Theory for Crime Reduction
    Herbert, J.L.
    IDEA Analytics Virtual Network Event

    Action Plan | Developing a Crime Regional Crime Information Center: Salisbury (NC)
    Herbert, J.L. & Smith, P.
    SMART Policing; Salisbury (NC) Police Department

    Report  | Data Collection and Audit – Police Improvements to Data for Reducing Crime: Jackson (MS) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Crime Analysis on Demand Initiative

    Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Amarillo (TX) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program.

    Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Harris County (TX) Sheriff Office
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

    Report | Technology Planning and Implementation: Harris County (TX) Sheriff Office
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

    Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Orlando (FL) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Crime Analysis on Demand Initiative.

  • 2019

    2019

    Dissertation | But I am Here to Help: How School Climate Factors and Interactions Define School Resource Officer Roles,
    Herbert, J.L.
    Arizona State University

    Report | Evaluation of Operation Santa Patrol: Salisbury (NC) Police Department,
    Hatcher, J. & Herbert, J.L.

    Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Springfield (IL) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L. & Hubbert, N.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

    Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Baton Rouge (LA) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L. & Hubbert, N.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

    Article | Data Management
    Herbert, J.L. Barnes, J.C. & Forde, D.R.
    The Encyclopedia of Research Methods & Statistical Technique in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Wiley Blackwell: Hoboken, New Jersey.

    Article | Human Subjects Research
    Herbert, J.L. Found in Barnes, J.C. & Forde, D.R.
    The Encyclopedia of Research Methods & Statistical Technique in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Wiley Blackwell: Hoboken, New Jersey.

    Research | Behaviors Displayed by Individuals with Autism During Police Encounters
    Wallace, D., & Herbert, J.

  • 2018

    2018

    Report | Evaluating Juvenile Arrest Rates and Diversionary Programs; Vallejo, CA
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Evaluation of Building Data Capacity for Intelligence-Led Policing Efforts: Fayetteville (NC)
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Evaluation of Violent Crime & Police Department Responses: Salisbury, NC
    Nunez, A., Herbert, J.L. & Thomas, K.
    Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center.

    Report | Evaluation of Community Policing and Data-Driven Crime Reduction Strategies: Fayetteville (NC)
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Capacity Building to Address Human Trafficking in Rural America: Albert Lea (MN)
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Evaluation of Family Court Reforms: Clark County (NV)
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Assessment of Violent Crime Patterns: Toledo (OH) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance

    White Paper | Developing Strategic Technology Planning for Public Safety
    Herbert, J.L.

    Report | Evaluation of Complaints and Disciplinary Policies for a School Resource Officer Program
    Larimore, L. & Herbert, J.L.
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center.

    Report | Reducing Violent Crime, A Two-Year Review: West Memphis (AR) Police Department
    Larimore, L. & Herbert, J.L.
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance

    Resource Guide | Data collection, analysis, and assessment of intra-agency violence reduction strategies
    Vogel, B., Malm, A., Vikovik, S., Ferdetta, J. & Herbert, J.L. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Identification and analysis of intra-jurisdictional data resources to effectively measure violence reduction in communities
    Herbert, J. L. & Ferdetta, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center.

  • 2017

    2017

    Book Chapter | Case Study: Evaluations of Community Policing Models
    Herbert, J.L. & Springer, J. F. 
    Chapter 17 in Peter J. Haas, J. Fred Springer, & Allan Porowski, Applied Policy Research: Concepts and Cases, 2nd Edition. Routledge: New York.

    Report | Assessment of Crime Analysis and Data Maturity: Jackson (MS) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L., & Wartell, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance

    Report | Assessment of Crime Analysis and Data Maturity: West Memphis (AR) Police Department
    Herbert, J.L. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance

    Report | Assessment of police-youth interactions: One department’s approach to a School Resource Officer program, Richland County (SC)
    Herbert, J. L., Hubbert, N., & Hascher, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Examination of gun violence and analysis capabilities in Vallejo, CA
    Herbert, J. L., Ferdetta, J. & Wartell, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Evaluation of focused deterrence and deferred prosecution programs in Dallas, Texas
    Bravo, J., Herbert J. L., Sousa, W., & Hascher, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center.

    Report | Implementing intelligent jail systems and developing data science unit for data-driven correctional operations (Denver, CO)*
    Bravo, J. Herbert, J. L. & Ware, W.
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center.

    White Paper | Identifying Levels of Evaluation for Police Crime Analysis Unit Performance
    Herbert, J.L. 
    International Association of Crime Analysts, Standards Committee.

    Article | An A+ Partnership: The Value of Law Enforcement and Academia Working Together
    Herbert, J.L. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center.

  • 2016

    2016

    Report | Key trends in body-worn camera policy and practice: A policy analysis of US Department of Justice-funded law enforcement agencies
    White, M. D., Herbert, J.L., & Katz, C. M. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance

    Report | An assessment of data collection practices and security incidents for the University of Michigan’s Division of Public Safety and Security
    Herbert, J.L. & Fritz, N.J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Evaluating performance measures of a real-time crime center
    Herbert, J.L., Campana, A. & Ferdetta, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | An analysis of burglary and arson in Flint, Michigan
    Herbert, J.L., Bruce, C.W., & Ferdetta, J. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Article | From Handshakes to Hashtags: Communication Tools for Policing
    Medlock, H. & Herbert, J.L. 
    Police Chief Magazine. International Association of Chiefs of Police.

  • 2015

    2015

    Report | Rebuilding community trust through community policing
    Herbert, J.L. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Addressing incarceration data, sentencing models and reforms
    Herbert, J.L. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Analysis of sentencing reform and offender population for the Nevada Department of Corrections
    Herbert, J.L., Rickman, S., Austin, J., & Watkins, B.T. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Article | Connecting Police and Communities
    Herbert, J.L. 
    SMART Policing Initiative. The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

  • 2014

    2014

    Report | Examination of youth violent crime and community-police relations in Fayetteville, North Carolina
    Herbert, J.L., & Brunson, R.K. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

    Report | Addressing violent crime with community-oriented policing
    Herbert, J.L. 
    Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center

University Teaching Experience

Arizona State University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2018 – 2020)

  • Nature of Crime (CRJ 521, Graduate – Online): Spring 2019
  • Seminar in Gangs (CRJ 522, Graduate – Online): Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Summer 2019
  • The British Roots of U.S. Criminal Justice (CRJ 394, Undergraduate – Abroad): Summer 2018

George Mason University, Criminology, Law and Society (2013 – 2015)

  • Introduction to Homeland Security (CRIM 230, Undergraduate): Fall 2014, Spring 2015
  • Law Enforcement and Homeland Security (CRIM 462, Undergraduate): Spring 2015
  • Surveillance in Contemporary Society (CRIM 460, Undergraduate): Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015
  • Criminal Justice Ethics (CRIM 306, Undergraduate): Spring 2013, Summer 2013

Professional Development Teaching Experience

(*DENOTES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION)

  • Investigative Analysis Techniques*
  • Introduction to Financial Intelligence*
  • Dark Web and Open Source Investigations*
  • Dark Web Inquiries for Probation Officers
  • Data Collection Standards*
  • Surveillance and Undercover Officer Techniques
  • Crime Analysis for Task Force Operations
  • Visualizing Financial Investigations for Prosecution*
  • Crime and Intelligence Analysis Techniques
  • Critical Thinking for Analysts
  • Analytical Writing Standards
  • Effective Writing for Law Enforcement
  • Reporting for Complex Investigations
  • Development of Community Partnerships and Neighborhood Collaborative Councils*
  • Development of Analytical Units
  • Operational and Strategic Planning for leadership teams
  • 2021

    2021

    Presentation | Panel Policing and Public Health: Direct and Vicarious Police Encounters and Health and Wellbeing Across the Life Course, Topic: Inside Interactions between the Police and Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
    American Society of Criminology

  • 2019

    2019

    Presentation | Policing Individuals with Spectrum Disorder: Do parents and law enforcement agree on concerns about law enforcement contact?
    Wallace, D. & Herbert, J.L.
    Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Annual Conference: Edinburgh, Scotland.

  • 2018

    2018

    Presentation | Extending our Measure: Analytics to Understanding Safety in Schools.
    Herbert, J. L.
    Annual Meeting for International Association of Crime Analysts: Newport Beach, CA

    Presentation | Enhancing Law Enforcement Analytical Capacity: Technology in West Memphis, Arkansas.
    Larimore, L., Herbert, J.L., Baker, J. & Smith, R.
    Webinar, Presented for Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC)

    Presentation | Measuring What Matters: An Analysis of School- Based Policing Model to Inform School Resource Officer Leadership.
    Hubbert, N., McDaniels, W., Bethel, K. & Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting for the National Sheriff’s Association

    Presentation | But I am Here to Help: A Qualitative Analysis of School Resource Officers Identification of Youth Risks
    Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting for the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS): New Orleans, Louisiana; and Arizona State University Doctoral Student Research Conference: Phoenix, Arizona

  • 2017

    2017

    Presentation | Leveraging Partnerships: How Mid-Sized Agencies are using Data to Combat Community Violence
    Herbert, J.L., McKinley, L., & Bidou, A.
    Annual meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Presentation | Police Communications and Legitimacy: A Content Evaluation of Police Department Websites
    Herbert, J.L.
    Annual Social Media Internet in Law Enforcement (SMILE) Conference: Long Beach, California

  • 2016

    2016

    Presentation | Police Communications and Legitimacy: A Content Evaluation of Police Department Websites
    Herbert, J.L., Moule, R.K., & Parry, M.M.
    Annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology: New Orleans, Louisiana

    Presentation | Evaluating your Analytical Processes
    Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting of the International Association of Crime Analysts: Louisville, Kentucky

    Presentation | Qualitative Analysis of Body-Worn Camera Policies
    White, M. D, Katz, C., & Herbert, J.L.
    Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance National Meeting on Body- Worn Cameras: Washington DC

  • 2015

    2015

    Presentation | Defeating Financial Crimes
    Herbert, J.L.
    Annual conference of IBM Red Cell Conference: Baltimore, Maryland

    Presentation | Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Trust through Communication
    Nollette, J. & Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference: Chicago, Illinois

    Presentation | Challenges and Opportunities in Reforming Sentencing Laws and Mass Incarceration
    Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting of Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: Orlando, Florida

    Presentation | Addressing Violent Crime through Community Engagement
    Brunson, R.K., Medlock, H. & Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting of Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: Orlando, Florida

  • 2014

    2014

    Presentation | Enhancing Community-Police Relations with Data
    Rickman, S., Herbert, J.L., & Numa, S.
    Annual meeting of the North Carolina Public Safety Leadership Development Consortium: Cary, NC

    Presentation | Financial Indicators for Investigations
    Herbert, J.L.
    Annual meeting of the California Crime and Intelligence Analyst Association: Sonoma, California & Annual meeting of the International Association of Crime Analysts: Seattle, Washington