ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the topic of hotspots of crime is discussed. Hotspots are a popular topic in the media but are often misunderstood. In this chapter we will cover the standard definition of a hotspot, some methodological issues surrounding the measurement of hotspots, and some of the common forms of measuring hotspots, primarily kernel density estimation because of its widespread use. Lastly, a related method called risk terrain modeling will be discussed. Risk terrain modeling is a theoretically informed method for identifying risk, which is most useful as a supplement to more traditional methods of hotspot analysis.
