RESEARCH & INNOVATION

UNMATCHED EXPERTISE DRIVING INNOVATION IN CRIME RISK ASSESSMENT

CAP Index’s market-leading crime risk tools and services are powered by the brightest minds in crime analytics. Our commitment to cutting-edge research has made us the vanguard of innovation in crime risk forecasting, from our founders Bob Figlio and Steve Aurand pioneering the translation of criminological theory into actionable insights to our Research & Innovation team developing today’s most advanced predictive models.

Our suite of solutions offers businesses, government agencies, and communities the ability to make informed decisions based on reliable crime risk assessments. The unparalleled expertise and dedication of our Research & Innovation team propels us forward, turning vast amounts of data into sophisticated, actionable insights. By leveraging their deep knowledge and innovative approaches, CAP Index provides reliable intelligence that enhances safety measures, optimizes resource allocation, and mitigates risk. Whether it’s through our dynamic crime risk reports, interactive mapping tools, or bespoke consulting services, the talent of our team ensures that we empower our clients to proactively address crime, ensuring a safer environment for all.

Learn about our Custom Risk Models

THE BRAIN TRUST

The CAP Index Research & Innovation team comprises criminologists, sociologists, data scientists, and criminal justice experts — individuals with diverse backgrounds and all experts in their fields. Their wide-ranging collective expertise keeps CAP Index on the forefront of crime analytics, continually advancing to outpace the changing landscape of crime.

STEVEN AURAND
PRESIDENT & CEO, CO-FOUNDER

STEVEN AURAND

Education

  • Graduate Studies in Criminology and Statistics, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Focus

  • Crime risk model-building
  • Optimal security resource allocation
  • Collaboratively establishing security-related industry best practices.

Greatest Hits

  • Founded CAP Index
  • Research analyst for Drs Marvin Wolfgang, Robert Figlio, & Deborah Denno at U. of P. Criminology Ctr. on studies of biosocial correlates of crime, delinquency in a birth cohort, & crime severity metrics.
  • Co-authored Delinquency in Puerto Rico: The 1970 Birth Cohort Study
DR. GRANT
DRAWVE
VICE PRESIDENT
RESEARCH & INNOVATION

DR. GRANT DRAWVE

Education

Ph.D. Criminal Justice, University of Arkansas; Master of Arts Criminology & Criminal Justice, Southern Illinois University

Greatest Hits

  • 50+ peer-reviewed publications
  • $3M+ in funded research
  • Led University of Arkansas Crime & Security Data Analytics Lab
  • 10+ years working on place-based crime reduction initiatives

Focus

  • Examining how features of the environmental backcloth influence spatio-temporal patterns of crime.
  • Google Scholar

Contact

DR. CASEY HARRIS
DIRECTOR
RESEARCH & INNOVATION

DR. CASEY HARRIS

Education

Ph.D. Sociology, Penn State University; Master of Arts Criminology, Penn State University

Greatest Hits

  • 50+ peer-reviewed publications
  • $3M+ in funded research
  • Founding member of data science program at University of Arkansas

Focus

  • Using demographic and statistical modeling techniques to predict crime across places.
  • Google Scholar

Contact

EMILY BLACKBURN
SR. PUBLIC SAFETY ANALYST

EMILY BLACKBURN

Education

Masters of Arts in Criminology, UMSL

Greatest Hits

  • 2021 ESRI Special Achievement in GIS award for services to the City of St. Louis Police Department
  • 2020 IALEP award for a study on the impactful of mobile surveillance units
  • 20+ years law enforcement experience

Focus

Analyzing spatial data and crime patterns to improve safety

CHRISTY VANMETER
PUBLIC SAFETY ANALYST

CHRISTY VANMETER

Education

Master of Arts Criminology & Criminal Justice (Crime Analysis and Geography & Crime focus), SIU Carbondale; Master of Science in Data Science & Analytic Storytelling, Truman State University

Greatest Hits

  • Former crime analyst with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department;
  • Maps and illustrations featured in news broadcasts, criminology textbooks

Focus

Translating data into insights

Jason Chen Headshot
JASON CHEN
RESEARCH ANALYST

JASON CHEN

Education

Bachelor of Science Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State University

Greatest Hits

  • Created risk models for clients, enabling effective mitigation strategies for security resource allocation and cost reduction
  • Demonstrated expertise in SQL, Data Cataloging, Data Management, Power BI, and SAS

Focus

Collecting and analyzing data to provide clients with actionable insights, driving informed decision-making and optimizing business processes

Hannah Steinmann
HANNAH STEINMAN
RESEARCH ANALYST

HANNAH STEINMAN

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology, University of Arkansas
Master of Arts Sociology with a concentration in Criminology, University of Arkansas
PhD student, Criminal Justice, Temple University

Greatest Hits

  • Contributions to edited crime analysis books and chapters, such as Understanding Crime and Place: A Methods Handbook
    Two-time summer research grant recipient from Temple University exploring crime in the built environment
  • Proficiency in applying statistical methods to analyze data and draw conclusions, GIS techniques, and good data-keeping practices

Focus

Exploring the relationship between crime and various social and environmental factors

Crime Insights

PLACE MATTERS

Crime is not random in space, creating patterns in where it occurs. Instead, the broader environmental backcloth, such as the physical, social, economic, and cultural characteristics of neighborhoods influence where crime occurs. By taking a broader spatial and environmental criminology approach, we can better understand underlying factors contributing to crime across neighborhoods and are able to take into account spatial and situational factors to tailor crime prevention and risk mitigation strategies to unique environments.

RESEARCH & INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT

Check out the latest insights from our Research & Innovation team — and be sure to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel:

TALK TO OUR EXPERTS

CONTACT US
What Clients Say
“

CAP Reports are critical to my risk assessments. They have enabled us to take a more surgical approach to investing in our stores that need it the most.

”

Brad Reeves
Senior Manager of Asset Protection
Five Below, Inc.

“

CAP Index is the first tool I turn to when time is of the essence. I can always depend on CAP Index to provide me qualified crime information within a very few minutes that I feel comfortable reviewing with the C-Suite.

”

Stephen A. Brown, CPP
Director, Corporate Security / Facility Security Officer
Burns & McDonnell

“

CAP Index data is a vital part of our security decision-making process.

”

Keith McGlen, CPP, CHPA
Associate Vice President
System Security Services
Memorial Hermann Health System

“

CRIMECAST® Reports have helped our organization for many years to proactively assess the particular risk for crime surrounding our facilities. The CAP Index® CRIMECSAST Platform is an easy-to-use online service that provides us with the flexibility to share and decentralize crime risk data within our North America business units.

”

Carlos J. Cortez,
Manager, Global Security Programs,
Kraft Foods, Inc. / Mondelez International

“

Our property selectors are not discouraged from a site just because it receives a high score. What we do is issue every store – all of them – a security classification. The classification determines how we allocate our security resources to that store.

”

Claude Verville,
Lowe’s

“

CAP Index's online platform, CRIMECAST, is great. It is easy to use and quick!

”

Ken Wieczorek,
Bank of America

“

In industries where there is high public contact and a customer is coming to our location (such as retail), why would you leave it to chance when planning security when there is an easy, affordable tool? When investing a million dollars on a location, what is this small charge compared to what it may cost you when you get sued?

”

Jay Beighley,
Nationwide Insurance

“

CAP Index assessments are a must for anyone engaged in asset protection. The new website is much improved and as important, easy to navigate.

”

Bruce List,
The Williams Companies

“

We have been using CAP Index for a few years and include it in our security vulnerability assessments. Highly recommend it.

”

Dan Yaross
Director, Protective Services
Nationwide Children's Hospital