FAQs 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions about CAP Index…who we are, what we do, and how our data-driven insights help most organizations make informed security and risk decisions.

What are CAP Index Crime Risk Scores?

CAP Index provides objective, data-driven crime risk scores to help assess the likelihood of crime at any given location. They are built using advanced statistical models and a wide range of data sources, including local crime statistics, demographic information, and environmental factors. These scores allow organizations to compare sites consistently, identify potential risks, and make more informed decisions about security, safety, and resource allocation.

How is CAP Index better than public crime stats?

Unlike public crime stats, which often rely on broad geographic areas and inconsistent reporting, CAP Index uses point-specific data—down to the exact address or coordinates—to assess crime risk. Our model combines verified crime incidents along with over 40 demographic and socioeconomic factors to provide an objective, standardized, and reliable score for any location. Organizations across industries trust CAP Index for our accuracy, consistency, and legal defensibility.

What sources do you use?

CAP Index uses a combination of current, reliable, geo-located data sources to generate our crime risk scores. These include the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), data from law enforcement agencies, proprietary datasets, and a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic indicators such as poverty rates, unemployment, and education levels. We do not rely on outdated sources like the Summary Reporting System (SRS). Our model blends these inputs to produce a consistent and predictive measure of crime risk across jurisdictions—even in areas with limited or inconsistent crime reporting.

How often is the data updated?

Historically, we updated our data once per year, but beginning in Fall 2025, we moved to a twice-per-year update cycle. Each release incorporates the latest available crime data, refreshed demographic and socioeconomic indicators, and any methodological enhancements introduced since the previous release. This shift ensures our crime risk scores remain current and reliable, supporting both proactive security planning and expert analysis.

What do you mean by methodology/radius, and how do I choose the right one for my report?

Each crime risk score is calculated using one of our four scoring methodologies, which represent different influences on risk. Our four methodologies are based on proximity to and/or population around the location being analyzed. Each method calculates crime risk within a defined distance or until a population threshold is met—whichever comes first:

• Max-1: 1 mile or 25,000 people
• Max-3: 3 miles or 100,000 people
• Max-6: 6 miles or 400,000 people
• Max-12: 12 miles or 1,600,000 people

This approach ensures consistent and meaningful comparisons across urban, suburban, and rural environments. To learn more, visit our Methodology page.

How quickly can I get a report?

Just a couple of minutes! The PDF report will be generated instantly and emailed to you right away. It’s a fast, simple way to get the data you need when you need it.

1. Go to the CRIMECAST System login page
2. Create a free account
3. Enter the address you’d like to assess
4. Select your report type
5. Checkout

If you need more help, here’s a how-to. 

Do you offer the reports in different formats?

Our data is typically delivered via PDF or Excel formats. However, images can be pulled in jpeg or png files from the site as well. We also offer an API deliverable for more immediate and/or high-volume requests.

Do I have to call in to order?

No, you can order online via our CRIMECAST system with a credit card. We are available via phone to help if you have questions.

Is training available, and do you offer documentation to help explain your scores to clients or in legal settings?

Yes, visit our training library or consult your CAP Index representative for help.

Can someone help me interpret the data or provide further analysis?

We offer online resources helping with reading reports here. If you need further help, our security experts are available and ready to help. If you are interested in deeper analysis or customization, our RISC (Research, Innovation, and Security Consulting) group can discuss options for you. Contact our Security Experts now for more information.

Do you use AI in any aspect of your scoring methodology?

No. AI is not used in any part of our scoring methodology.

All CAP Index models, scores, and analytical outputs are developed under the direction of Ph.D. criminologists using well-established, criminologically sound methodologies. These processes deliberately avoid the use of AI and black box techniques to ensure methodological integrity and transparency.

Why don’t you use AI in your scoring?

Our scoring methodology is built with rigorous, expert judgment. While AI can be helpful for certain tasks, it is not appropriate for our scoring processes for several key reasons:

1. Credibility and accountability: Human-led modeling ensures that results are known commodities that are explainable, auditable, and defensible.
2. Error avoidance: AI-generated analysis can introduce opacity and bias, potentially tainting the final product.
3. Purposeful innovation: We continuously and critically evaluate emerging technology and criminological theory, incorporating advances selectively and with clear purpose to enhance our models.

For these reasons, we have made a clear and deliberate decision to exclude AI from our scoring methodologies.

Where do you use AI?

We do use AI in a limited, controlled capacity to support our business functions. This includes tasks such as:

• Creating and organizing lists
• Summarizing publicly available articles and information
• Routine programming support
• Enhancing workflow efficiency
• Delivering search results and evaluating them through rigorous analysis

These uses have no connection to scoring, analysis, or client deliverables. AI is never used to evaluate data, generate scores, or guide our client recommendations.

Our approach allows us to benefit from efficiency gains in routine tasks while preserving the rigor, independence, and human expertise that are central to what we do.