Project 3 Prepare Week using Statistical Analysis within ArcGIS to analyze existing meth labs and hopefully reveal potential locations for new methlabs

This week our focus was on importing the provided files to then perform various statistical analyses to produce a quality base map to be the basis of our future weeks.  We created and calculated attribute fields both manually and using a python script which required minor editing to function.  We used the spatial join function to join shape files. We obtained base map data such as roads, county boundaries, major cities and a state boundary to give our map a complete feel and a focus on our AOI.  This map also included meth lab locations.  We also performed readings of scholarly articles to use for the beginnings of what will be our final statistical report at the end of this project.  This is an interesting real-world project.  The intent is to use social and economic statistics paired with the location of existing meth lab seizures to develop potential methods to find a pattern in where meth labs arise.  This will also allow analysis of environmental impact by adding additional data for comparison.  Thus creating an environmental tool and a law enforcement tool.  Pretty cool stuff.