Abstract

Purpose. The current study tests whether existing behavioural case linkage findings from the United Kingdom (UK) will replicate abroad with a sample of residential burglaries committed in Finland. In addition, a previously discussed methodological issue is empirically explored.Methods. Seven measures of behavioural similarity, geographical proximity, and temporal proximity are calculated for pairs of burglary crimes committed by 117 serial burglars in Finland. The ability of these seven measures to distinguish between pairs of crimes committed by the same offender (linked pairs) and different offenders (unlinked pairs) is tested using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Two methodologies for forming the unlinked pairs are compared; one representing the ‘traditional’ approach used by research and, the other, a new approach that represents a potentially more realistic and statistically sound approach to testing case linkage.Results. A wider range of offender behaviours were able to distinguish between linked and unlinked crime pairs in the current Finnish sample than in previous UK‐based research. The most successful features were the kilometre‐distance between crimes (the intercrime distance), the number of days separating offences (temporal proximity), and a combination of target, entry, internal, and property behaviours (the combined domain). There were no statistically significant differences between the two methodological approaches.Conclusions. The current findings demonstrate that a wider range of offender behaviours can be used to discriminate between linked and unlinked residential burglary crimes committed in Finland than in the UK. The use of a more realistic and statistically sound methodology does not lead to substantial changes in case linkage findings.

Highlights

  • The most successful features were the kilometre-distance between crimes, the number of days separating offences, and a combination of target, entry, internal and property behaviours

  • The current findings demonstrate that a wider range of offender behaviours can be used to discriminate between linked and unlinked residential burglary crimes committed in Finland than in the United Kingdom (UK)

  • The use of a more realistic and statistically sound methodology does not lead to substantial changes in case linkage findings

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Summary

Objectives

The aims of the current study are, twofold: 1) to examine the replicability of existing case linkage findings abroad using a sample of residential burglaries committed in Finland; and 2) to explore a methodological issue that has been discussed in the literature but is yet to receive substantial attention (Bennell & Canter, 2002; Woodhams, 2008). The decision to exclude the combined domain was consistent with previous research (e.g. Bennell, 2002), which is important given that one of the primary aims of the current study was to replicate previous work

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