Mapping crime scenes and cellular telephone usage

Abstract

This paper describes a method that uses a desktop geographical information system (GIS) to plot cellular telephone conversations made when crimes are committed, such as hijackings, hostage taking, kidnapping, rape and murder. The maps produced in this manner are used in court to help the court understand the sequence of events when the evidence is presented, which can be very difficult to understand without such visual aids. The maps can also be used as part of the prosecution's evidence against the accused. The billing records of the relevant telephones are obtained through a search warrant and for each call made before, during and after the commissioning of crimes, the approximate locations of the two telephones are plotted on a map.