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 ".. . VICAP is a nationwide data information center designed to collect, collate, and analyze specific crimes of violence." began going to the city library and reviewing major city newspapers look­ing for stories describing similar cases.

The use of the library to search for similar cases during a homicide investigation in the late 1950's was a primitive forerunner of VICAP. It was that effort which spawned the idea that grew into today's reality.

VICAP and the FBI

During the 1970's, Brooks spoke with officials of the U.S. Department of Justice about his concept. Eventually, LEAA funds were approved to finance a task force to study the idea. Homicide investigators, crime analysts, and other criminal justice experts from over 20 State and local law enforcement agen­cies participated.

Coincidental with the activities of the VICAP Task Force were discussions by members of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) at the FBI Academy regarding the development of a National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC). The NCAVC was seen as a formalization and extension of the existing programs within the unit, as well as an attempt to identify other in­ novative concepts being developed around the country. The BSU programs had resulted from the work in the development of criminal personality pro­filing and the supporting research done by members of the unit in the area of violent crime.

A BSU staff member joined the VICAP Task Force, and the Behavioral Science Unit programs merged concep­tually with VICAP. In 1984, the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime was formally established by an interagency transfer of funds from the National Institute of Justice to the FBI. VICAP had until then been only a concept, and it was decided that the first year of operation would be considered a field test of all aspects of the program, including the VICAP Crime Report form, the computer support system, and internal procedures. VICAP officially became operational on May 29, 1985, 2 days before the self-imposed deadline of June 1, 1985.

What is VICAP?

As envisioned by Brooks and im­plemented by the FBI with his assistance, VICAP is a nationwide data information center designed to collect, collate, and analyze specific crimes of violence. Currently, cases which meet the following criteria are accepted by VICAP:


 * 1) Solved or unsolved homicides or attempts, especially those that involve an abduction; are apparently random, motiveless, or sexually oriented; or are known or suspected to be part of a series;

December 1986 / 15