Which type of analysis examines long-term crime trends over years, seasons, and specific days?

Temporal analysis is focused on examining crime data over time, allowing analysts to identify long-term trends and patterns. By investigating how crime incidents fluctuate across different periods—such as years, seasons, and specific days—this type of analysis helps law enforcement agencies and policymakers understand the timing of criminal activities. It can reveal peak times for certain types of crimes, supporting resource allocation and strategic planning.

In contrast, spatial analysis would emphasize the geographical distribution of crime, helping to identify hotspots but not specifically tracking changes over time. Sociodemographic analysis centers on the characteristics of populations that may influence crime rates, such as age, income, or education, rather than focusing on the temporal dimensions. Lastly, qualitative analysis revolves around understanding the meaning and context behind data through non-numerical methods, which does not address crime trends over time. Thus, temporal analysis is the most appropriate method for assessing long-term crime trends.