What type of data involves numerical analysis to identify trends in crime?

The correct choice refers to quantitative data, which is characterized by numerical values that can be manipulated through statistical methods to identify trends. In crime analysis, quantitative data includes crime rates, incident counts, and demographic information presented in numerical formats. This allows analysts to measure patterns over time, understand relationships between variables, and make predictions based on statistical outputs.

For instance, if an analyst wants to determine whether crime rates in a specific area have increased over several years, they would collect numerical data regarding the number of reported crimes and apply statistical techniques to identify trends and shifts. This data provides a clearer viewpoint, enabling informed decision-making for law enforcement and urban planning.

On the other hand, qualitative data involves descriptive attributes that do not lend themselves to numerical measurement, while nonnumerical data and categorical data may not provide the depth of statistical analysis that quantitative data offers. Categorical data, although it incorporates numerical identifiers in some cases (like categorizing types of crimes), typically focuses on grouping and classifications rather than numerical trends.