Could RTMDx Be Improved?

• In Event: Risk Terrain Modeling

Abstract

RTMDx is a freeware software developed by the Rutgers Center on Public Security to help researchers and analysts in evaluating the spatial crime risks following the procedure suggested by the Risk Terrain Modelling (RTM) approach. The main aim of the software is to automize several steps of the RTM process in order to identify the relevant crime risk factors and, eventually, to orient focused interventions in the areas where a future crime is more likely to happen. However, one main drawback of this software is that it partially reduces the original flexibility of the RTM procedure. Starting from this assumption, this paper suggests some potential improvements to the software and discusses whether these changes could actually increase its efficacy. Some practical example are provided.

Author

• Marco Dugato, Università Cattolica - Transcrime