AN ASSESSMENT OF CRIMINAL PROFILING AND CRIME DETECTION BY THE NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC) KANO STATE COMMAND (2024-2025)
Abstract
Crime detection within paramilitary organisations increasingly requires behaviourally informed and intelligence-led strategies. This study examined criminal profiling and crime detection in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, with specific focus on personnel awareness, profiling techniques in use, and the effectiveness of profiling tools in enhancing detection outcomes. Anchored on Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of 250 operational personnel of the Command (excluding officers in the Investigation/Intelligence Unit), from which a sample of 245 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Stratified sampling technique was employed which ensured departmental representation, while simple random sampling was used to select participants proportionately. Data were collected through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and Key Informant Interviews. Reliability testing produced a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.81. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis in SPSS (version 25). Descriptive findings revealed high awareness of criminal profiling, with aggregate agreement responses above 70% and mean scores ranging from 3.62 to 4.08 (SD = 0.74–0.91). Profiling techniques such as behavioural pattern analysis, crime scene linkage assessment, and suspect prioritisation recorded an overall cluster mean of 3.85 (SD ≈ 0.82), indicating substantial operational application. Importantly, measures assessing the effectiveness of profiling tools showed strong positive ratings, with mean scores between 3.71 and 4.12 (SD = 0.69–0.88), suggesting that profiling enhances investigative focus, improves suspect identification accuracy, and supports case linkage decisions. Inferential results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between profiling awareness and crime detection effectiveness (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), while regression analysis confirmed that profiling techniques significantly predict detection efficiency (β = 0.58, p < 0.05). The study concluded that structured criminal profiling contributes meaningfully to investigative performance within the NSCDC Kano State Command and recommended among others, sustained capacity development, institutionalisation of profiling protocols, and integration of digital investigative tools to strengthen detection outcomes.
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