COMPUTERIZED WVU MAPS TO HELP POLICE DETECT MARIJUANA FIELDS

MORGANTOWN (AP) - Geographers at West Virginia University are working on a
computerized mapping tool to help police predict where marijuana is grown in
the state. Applying marijuana data to a geographic information system,
researchers Trevor Harris and Briane Turley expect to spot which areas are
most favorable for growing the plant.

''What we do is start with marijuana eradication information from local and
state police,'' Turley said. ''We then add other data, such as the locations
of roads and paths and access to water. We also know that marijuana is
normally found at certain altitudes, so we take that into consideration as
well.'' Harris says the technology should complement conventional law
enforcement efforts. ''It's not perfect,'' he said. ''It can never replace
the gut and intuition of a good investigating officer. But when you combine
the two, you have a real advantage.'' The system will create layered,
color-coded maps indicating which locations might be attractive to marijuana
growers.

''Law enforcement can look at it and say, 'We don't want to focus on a place
with a 20-percent probability. We want to look at this area that has an
80-percent probability,''' Turley said.

The first working model should be finished by the end of the year, Turley
said. West Virginia University is part of a federal consortium sponsored by
the National Guard Counterdrug Program.