Essay about Issues In Psychological Profiling

When criminologists build criminal profiles, they think about how the killer gained access to the victim, what the killer did to the victim, if the killer tried to cover his or her tracks and how, what about the victim attracted the killer to target them, and what motive or fantasy drove the killer to hurt the victim how and where they did.

My research paper is on Anthony Sowell, a serial killer, identified in press reports as the Cleveland Strangler. My research will examine and explain Anthony Sowell’s life and history prior to his crimes, the crimes and personality theories that apply to his deviant behavior.

In criminology, is very important to study why people commit crime when deciding how crime should be handled and prevented. This type of study is known as criminal profiling. Many theories have developed over the years, and they continue to be researched, alone and in combination, as criminologists seek the best solutions in reducing specific types and levels of crime. While all crime theories are designed to try to explain and understand criminal activity and the people that commit them, it is an ongoing science. No one theory can define all crime. However, it can be used usefully to help us understand crime a little better and help criminologists find new ways to deal with and eliminate criminal behavior. I am going to discuss one

On the summer night of July 29, 1976 shots rang out in a New York City neighborhood. This marked the beginning of the .44 caliber or the Son of Sam murders. His reign of terror would grip this city and its surrounding areas for over a year. Sadly the Son of Sam whom was eventually identified as David Berkowitz a severely disturbed young man that fell under the several theories of crime causation. In his early life he felt awkward and scorned by his peers because of being adopted and his appearance. These feelings would later follow him into his adult life and as referred by Bardsely (n.d.)”, he would be creating fantasies that would crowd out reality and eventually David

Throughout the years, profiling has been successful at seeking out justice by detaining many wanted criminals, and has set the bar for many years of criminal apprehensions in many communities. Criminal characteristics are significant in all criminal investigations as much indication can reveal that the most important part for analysis is to further examine how patterns of criminal involvement emerges and transforms; this would also include examining the modus operandi (method of operation) of criminals that are relevant not only for the criminal structures, but for the general public as well (Ford, 2013).

Criminal profiling has become a very popular and controversial topic. Profiling is used in many different ways to identify a suspect or offender in a criminal investigation. “Criminal profiling is the process of using behavioral and scientific evidence left at a crime scene to make inferences about the offender, including inferences about personality characteristics and psychopathology” (Torres, Boccaccini, & Miller, 2006, p. 51). “The science of profiling rests on two foundation blocks, basic forensic science and empirical behavioral research. Forensic science includes blood spatter analysis, crime scene reconstruction, and autopsy evidence. Empirical behavioral research identifies offender typologies, relates crime behaviors to suspect

Psychology is the study of behavior and cognitive processes. Criminal profiling is a tool used by law enforcement to identify likely suspects and analyze patterns that may predict future offences. These two concepts come together in a field called “forensic psychology”. Forensic psychology has been used to solve many serial crimes. Psychology is being integrated into criminal profiling by using psychologists to analyze crime scenes and help investigators determine psychological and demographic characteristics of the perpetrator.

Not all of us can be the super-mineded criminal profilers we see in Criminal Minds, CSI, and Law and Order. Psychological profiling is a long process that requires observation and critical thinking under pressure; it has been around since the 19th century. Profiling assistance has kept horrendous criminals like Jeffrey Dahmer from keeping their insanity plea. It also has played a key role in the capture of Ted Bundy, and linking him to other murders.

Nomothetic profiling is deemed helpful in identifying patterns through various forms of studies to gather general, typical, common and/or average characteristics of offender groups. It’s these characteristics that through the studies investigators can hypothetically infer in the way that it’s not necessarily in each individual case that is addressed, but they actually represent the theoretically possible and the probable circumstance to develop understanding for further interpretation from gathered intelligence. Therefore, problems arise when nomothetic methods are used inappropriately to make overly confident inferences or conclusive interpretations because regardless the overwhelming data gathered from various groups of mass murders and

Though serial killer may have a fairly specific definition, there is no single precise profile for the serial killer. Each has a unique identity, set of motives and methods, and a unique psychopathology that would attempt to explain the mens rea, that is, the purpose or intent of the murder. “Psychological profiling is an investigative tool used strictly to answer the how of the crime, not the why” (Severence et al, 1992; Lanier and Henry, 1998). By examining the psychological make-up of the serial killer, it is often possible to explain the behavior, which might make it a useful tool in solving crimes.

The process of inferring the personality characteristics of individuals responsible for committing criminal acts has commonly been referred to as criminal profiling. (Turvey) Criminal profiling can also be referred to as, behavioral profiling because when a profiler creates a profile they refer to the behavior of the offender. The general term criminal profiling can also be referred to as crime scene profiling, criminal personality profiling, offender profiling, psychological profiling and criminal investigative analysis. All the terms listed above are used inconsistently and interchangeably. Modern criminal profiling is owing to a diverse history grounded in the study of criminal behavior (criminology), the study of mental illness

Boiling. Red. Explosive. No, I’m not talking about a volcano or even a pimple, but I assume that that is what I might be compared to when being psychoanalyzed by friends and family. I have never been a very calm person, whether I am elated, anxious, or upset, it’s not in my nature, likely a result of being an islander [insert temperature affecting temperament joke here] or possibly being my father’s child. My household has never been too heated, but at times, the rising of voices could indicate the upcoming, year long debate about my mother’s need to correct what cannot be corrected, my father’s jeans pants obsessions. featuring the best known segment, “What did Candace do wrong today?” I however, am not apart of the yelling during these

The article “Converting Evidence Into Data” says, “The newly emerging area of Investigative Psychology provides a behavioural science basis for crime detection by examining investigative processes and criminal behaviour” (Canter). This new area of forensics is attracting many people and is a controversial method of solving a crime. Although it has been proven to be quite helpful in helping with criminal investigations. Furthermore Forensic Psychologists are instrumental in solving a homicide investigation by using evidence that the police have obtained, coming up with a profile, and by testifying as an expert witness in the offender’s trial.

The psychologist contributes to investigations criminal behavior by profiling and similar techniques. The criminal psychologist can also assist with pretrial methods. This subsection is highly important because it includes the evaluation and treatment of suspects, victims, or witnesses of a crime. The primary task of the forensic psychologist profiling. Psychological profiling involves “investigating an offender's behavior, motives and background in an attempt to further guide an investigation…,” (APA). There are several different areas of profiling that the professionals do in the field. In criminal profiling the psychologist analyzes the emotional, mental disposition of a suspect. While remaining as a slightly controversial technique, profiling has become an increasingly prominent part of criminal investigation. When used properly it has the capacity of being one of law enforcement’s most powerful tools.

Throughout the years in the United States, it seems as if profiling has always been a part of the culture. Whether it be from Jim Crow laws or even the new ban from Donald Trump, America has always used profiling as a way to protect itself from things that seem dangerous at the time. These acts may seem useful, however, profiling is harmful and can cause major problems. Profiling is never justified in any circumstance due to the violence it causes, due to the false ideas it gives people about an entire group of people, and it causes people to live a life of persecution.