This week, classes were on hold. I used the time to continue exploring Mathematica for data analysis. I had another question which I wanted to analyze: Is there a pattern in police shootings based on the time of day or location? Identifying trends in timing or geographic concentration could provide deeper insights into these incidents.

As part of my ongoing efforts to analyze data for my journal, I’ve recently started learning Mathematica, a tool recommended by the Professor. I am still gathering information regarding my previous questions : Which States have made it mandatory for the police to use the body cameras?

I started analysing the data again, this time noting down all the answers, even the most basic ones like: Which state has the highest shootings? Which day has the most shootings?. By answering all the basic questions, I can slowly progress into more detailed analysis which will help me in finding my objective.

I was analyzing the data, using a bunch of filters, and I noticed that more than 82.75 % of the cops had their body cams off. I also had some questions.

• Which States have made it mandatory for the police to use the body cameras?
• Why did the officers of those states have their body cameras turned off?
• Why did the police shoot people who are UNARMED and NOT FLEEING?
• Did the police had to always shoot people with mental illness instead of attempting to knock them unconsious?

This is my first class of Advanced Mathematical Stats(MTH-522) taught by Professor Dr. Gary Davis.  Discussed and learned quite a lot of things.

• I learned how to setup a Work Journal using  a WordPress site.
• The professor showed us a data which contains police shootings in the United States. Source of the data – The Washington Post
• I learned how to write a report (Punchline report).
• I also learned about Activity Theory. In short words, it means connecting a random question that comes to your mind and relating it to an objective.

Examining the data, a lot of questions were raised, some of them are really good.

1. 1.  Which state has the most amount of shootings
   2. Who, and How does one determine whether the person is ‘mentally ill’ ?
   3. If the person was armed or not. If the person was fleeing the scene?
   4. What can be done with the missing values in the data.
   5. Most of them was armed with a gun. So is there a possibility to find if the gun is licensed?
   6. What is unemployed percentage in the state and can it be linked to the death?

 

Best Regards,

Sri Krishna Upadhyayula

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