Task

Developing methods for use in predictive policing.

Client

The European Commission

Goal

Creating a methodical foundation for predicting and preventing cross-border organised crime.

Process and Result

In 2012, the European Commission financed the project ’Early Pursuit Against Organised Crime Using EnvirOnmental Scanning, the Law and IntelligenCE Systems’ (ePoolice). The purpose of ePoolice was to develop new methods and tools for identifying and fighting organised crime, including human trafficking and drug smuggling across EU’s borders. The collaboration included organisations like Europol, Thales, UNICRI, Fraunhofer, Guardia Civil, and British and German police. The Institute’s role was to operationalise relevant methods from futures studies in police work, including contextual analysis, with the goal of gaining a systematic awareness of early signs of change and new patterns in organised crime.