13th Oct 2023

The dataset in question offers a comprehensive overview of incidents involving lethal force by law enforcement officers in the United States during various dates in 2015, serving as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities surrounding these events. Each dataset entry contains vital information, including the incident date, manner of death (such as shootings or taser use), and details about the individuals involved, including their armed status, age, gender, race, and indications of mental illness. It also notes whether the officers had body cameras, crucial for assessing transparency and accountability.

Geospatial analysis reveals the geographic distribution of these incidents, showing their occurrence in various U.S. cities and states. This geographical data forms a foundation for investigating regional disparities, clustering patterns, and trends in lethal force incidents. The dataset’s demographic diversity is notable, encompassing individuals of various ages, genders, and racial or ethnic backgrounds. Analyzing this diversity can unveil potential discrepancies in how these incidents affect different demographic groups, while also providing an opportunity to investigate the role of mental health conditions and perceived threat levels. The temporal aspect is equally significant, enabling the examination of trends and changes in the frequency and nature of these incidents over time.

In summary, this dataset is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and the general public interested in gaining insights into law enforcement activities in the United States. It allows for the exploration of demographic, geographic, and temporal patterns and forms the basis for conducting statistical analyses to draw meaningful conclusions about the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers.