Profiling has been used since the early 1800s, when it was used to gain some insight into the possible identity of British serial killer Jack the Ripper (Winerman, 2004), and while profiling has more recently been used by police services across several countries to help with prevention and management of crime (Alison 2005), it has also become a valuable tool in the investigation of serious crime and crime sprees. Profiling refers to the process of analysing and interpreting all available information from a crime scene, a victim and other similar crimes to compose a profile of an unknown perpetrator and narrow down the field of investigation (Douglas et al 1986a, Muller 2000, Ainsworth 2013). Since its emergence, other distinctive styles of …show more content…
According to Jackson and Bekerian (2007), by analysing the behaviour exhibited at a crime (or series of crimes) interpretations can be made about the unknown offender(s), therefore this approach uses the systematic analysis of a crime scene (or scenes in a spate of a similar crimes) to identify the typology of offender(s).
Through the analysis of the crime scene data offenders are classified has having either organised or disorganised characteristics (Hazelwood and Douglas,1980a), this is evidenced in a study carried out by Ressler et al (1986).
From research based on interviews with serial killers and rapists and the analysis of their crimes Ressler et al (1986a) found that offenders who showed organised characteristics were often of above average intelligence, in skilled occupation, and socially and/or sexually competent. Their crimes typically appeared planned, controlled in execution and involved the removal or evidence. Whereas disorganised offenders were often of below average intelligence, unemployed or in unskilled work and lived alone. They tended to commit crimes spontaneously, very little control and left evidence at the crime scene (Ressler et al, 1986b). Ressler concluded his research by stating that a crime scene revealed unmistakable evidence of whether the crime had been committed by an organised/disorganised offender and therefore could be used the same way as a fingerprint to help identify and apprehend a
Murderers usually don’t leave behind clues to be caught with. This is the reason why so many cases go unsolved. However, Dennis Rader, more widely known as B.T.K. (Bind Torture Kill), was an oddity amongst other serial killers. He almost desperately wanted his crimes to be noticed in the media and be looked at by police. He was wildly gruesome in his various murders, leaving behind many clues, but without any leads, the case couldn’t go any further. When media coverage and police investigation had died down after two decades, he decided to put on a show for police. Police used the patterns he left behind in his performance to catch him. This means that profiling is valuable resource in catching a criminal. The International Association of Crime
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).
The general profile for a serial killer can be described as, but not limited to, Caucasian, male, and late 20s to early 30s in age, often killing within his own race, utilizing a “hands-on” method of murder, and selecting victims that share certain characteristics. However, more specific characteristics of a killer’s profile can vary based on his or her classification as either an organized or disorganized serial killer. Organized killers are typically very intelligent, meticulous, and charming, while disorganized killers usually have low IQ’s, lack close friends or family, and are extremely antisocial. Sometimes, a serial killer can be categorized as mixed; a mixed offender shows careful planning in his crime and indicates a high IQ within this process, but the murder in particular may be messy. Jack the Ripper is a prime example of a disorganized killer, as he primarily used overwhelming force to suddenly attack victims and left their bodies in the same place they were attacked. Ted Bundy is an infamous organized serial killer who was careful in selecting victims and considering the details of his plan to kill each.
Forensic (criminal) psychology is a job field that deals with both psychology and law. The field has experienced dramatic growth in recent years due to the role of popular movies, television programs and books popularizing the field. Often these individuals are depicted as vivid components in solving vicious crimes or timing out a criminal’s next home. While these depictions of certainly entertaining, yet these portrayals are not necessarily precise. Forensic psychologists play an instrumental role in the criminal justice system while applying psychological principles to the legal system. The crossover of the two spheres is best decided in the Encyclopedia of Psychology,
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
Criminal profiling can even be dated back to the 1800s when doctors were trying to predict the patterns of serial killer Jack the Ripper. Back in 1974, the FBI developed its Behavioral Science Unit to help investigate serial rape and homicide cases. It was during this time that two agents, Robert Ressler and John Douglas, came up with the idea called “organized/disorganized dichotomy”. This theory states that organized crimes are premeditated and carefully executed, therefore, there would be little evidence left at a crime scene. The opposing idea being that disorganized crimes are not planned and the criminal might leave behind a slew of evidence including blood or fingerprints. The theory goes on to say that an organized criminal is most likely antisocial and know right from wrong, and, although they may not be insane, they show no remorse. Whereas disorganized criminals they categorized as young and possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol or they are mentally ill. For year the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI kept working on this theory and fine tuning it but still stating that the basic premise is that
Just as insight into the mind of the artist may be gained by examining and comparing the progression of his work, so knowledge of the mind of the serial killer can be ascertained by an examination of his canvas: The murder scene. Forensic profiling is the attempt to do just that. An investigator tries to discern information about the killer based on the information at the crime scene, deducing information about the cause from the effect. This is not an exact science, and has been often likened to an art. It is the goal of this work to provide the reader with a basic understanding of the function and application of forensic psychology, as well as an explication of some of its strengths and weaknesses.
Did you know that there are over 200 serial killers in jail today! The primary purpose of this research paper is to inform the reader about why criminal and behavioral analysis is helpful in the field of law. The use of criminal profiling can be used to capture a criminal, but the criminal profiles produced are not perfect and are not intended to be so. A profiler uses the past as a directory on why they think the suspect is doing what they do and then using it to catch them. Criminal profilers also conduct research and write reports on patterns of criminal 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
The hierarchy of criminal actions is hard to represent. The simplified version begins with the differentiation of criminal and non-criminal acts. From there it moves to the classes of the crimes, such as crimes against property or a person. Next is the type of crime, for example, arson or burglary. Patterns of criminal behavior is the next level, followed by Modus operandi. The last step is the criminal signature. However, this simplified version of the hierarchy is not usually accurate due to the fact that most criminals are not specialists in one certain area of
Criminal profiling is one of few first things to think of when it comes to forensic psychology. Criminal profiling is featured in popular television shows such as in Law and Order and CSI. Often in those shows, the police officers were able to catch the criminals based on the criminal profile that forensic psychologists came up with. In a theory, the polices rely on criminal profiling to catch criminals, educate the public about a possible criminal, and confirm the witnesses’ accounts. Criminal profiling involves using various methods to guess a criminal’s background, behavior, and even preferences for the victims.
Historically, crime and criminals have always caught the attention of law-abiding citizens. Whenever there is mention of serial killers or unsolved murders or abductions, psychological profiling, floats to the top of the list of concerns (Egger, 1999). Psychological profiling is an attempt to provide investigators with more information about an offender who has not yet been identified (Egger, 1999). Its purpose is to develop a behavioral composite that combines both sociological and psychological assessment of the would-be offender. The type of person who could have committed the crime can often be identified on the premise that accurate analysis and interpretation of the crime scene can point to a
The crime is then put into a classification system of being either 'organised ' or 'disorganised ' by building a set of characteristics likely to be identified in each category in order to distinguish the type of criminal that may have committed the offence.
What makes a criminal a criminal? Can anyone become a criminal? Answering and understanding these questions is the core work of criminologists as most criminologists attempt to make sense of why people do certain things (Garland, Sparks 2000). This essay will consider the notion that any person could become a criminal and in so doing consider the initial question. This essay will outline a range of theories that attempt to describe human behavior in relation to criminal behavior given the complexities of behaviour. Several theories will be considered as no single theory of behavior can account fully for the complexities and range in criminal behaviour. The theories range from social-control, to classical, to biological, to personality
What creates an offender profile is not clearly agreed, but the process of profiling draws both, physical and nonphysical information. This includes the layout of the crime scene in terms of absence of significant items, sequence of events, and the perpetrator’s behaviour before and after the crime. Characteristics of the victim, location of the crime, use of a vehicle, and relation to previous crimes may also suggest social and demographic features of the offender, such as race, age or occupation.