Enhancing the Detection and Prosecution of Prolific Serial Offenders Through Crime Linkage

Led by Professor Matt Tonkin, this programme of research focuses on supporting law enforcement agencies globally to identify, catch and convict those prolific serial offenders who impose the greatest harm on society. Specifically, the research supports law enforcement agencies to develop more effective methods of behavioural crime linkage, which is a crucial component in the effective investigation of serial offenders.

Behavioural crime linkage involves the detailed analysis of where, when and how crimes are committed to identify groups of offences that are similar to each other and distinct from other offences, which suggests they might be committed by the same individual.

Professor Tonkin has worked in collaboration with academics, police forces and law enforcement agencies in five continents to develop statistical methods that can support behavioural crime linkage with a range of crime types, including burglary, robbery, sexual offences, and vehicle crime.

This research has changed policy, practice, and the law in the UK, New Zealand, Belgium, and Sweden. The research has enhanced crime linkage practice at multiple stages, from data collection and storage to the application of crime linkage techniques during ongoing police investigations, resulting in 50+ convictions for serial rapists and burglars and the recovery of $20,000 in stolen property.

• Read more about the impact of Professor Tonkin’s research on law enforcement and the implications for policy.

His research has been funded by a wide range of agencies, including UKRI, central Government, law enforcement agencies, British Academy, and Leverhulme Trust, and has made important contributions to new knowledge via publications in a range of leading academic journals (e.g., Journal of Criminal Justice; Legal and Criminological Psychology; Forensic Science International).

• Read more about Professor Tonkin’s crime linkage research in his blog.