Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System

The Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS) helps investigators identify serial crimes and criminals. It focuses on the linkages that exist among crimes committed by the same offender.

ViCLAS process

Police services submit data about violent crimes to ViCLAS. ViCLAS specialists analyze and interpret the data to find patterns and connections.

As more provinces make reporting mandatory, linkages will increase.

Types of crimes

The ViCLAS system captures:

  • all solved or unsolved homicides and attempts
  • all solved or unsolved sexual assaults or attempts
  • familial/domestic assaults with a unique or significant physical, sexual or verbal behaviour
  • missing persons where foul play is suspected
  • unidentified human remains where foul play is suspected
  • all non-parental abductions and attempts
  • false allegations of sexual assault or attempted murder
  • all solved or unsolved or attempted child luring

Investigators may submit their case to ViCLAS if they have reason to believe that the known or unknown offender involved:

  • may have been responsible for other violent crimes
  • has the potential to offend/re-offend

ViCLAS centres

There are nine ViCLAS centres in Canada operated by different police agencies:

  • RCMP: 7 sites
  • Sûreté du Québec: 1 site
  • Ontario Provincial Police: 1 site

Some sites handle cases from other provinces:

  • British Columbia handles cases from the Yukon
  • Nova Scotia handles cases from Prince Edward Island
  • Alberta handles cases from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories

All ViCLAS centres perform:

  • data entry
  • conduct quality reviews
  • file and linkage processing
  • behavioural analysis

Many of the ViCLAS specialists are experienced RCMP investigators. Others work for provincial and municipal police services.

ViCLAS in other countries

Some international countries have adopted ViCLAS, including:

  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom

To inquire about adopting the ViCLAS program in their country, an international client has to make a request to the ViCLAS National Policy Centre, who will provide all necessary information.

ViCLAS training

The Canadian Police College offers training in the Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System. The course teaches participants how to analyze and interpret the results.

Contact us

For more information, please contact the Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System National Policy Centre at ViCLAS_NHQ_Ottawa@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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