Bottom up approach Flashcards
What is the bottom- up approach?
Profilers work up from the evidence collected from crime scene to develop hypotheses about likely characteristics, motivations and social background of the offenders
What is investigative psychology?
An attempt to apply statistical procedures alongside psychological theories. Aim is to establish behaviour patterns that may occur, create a statistical database which acts as a baseline for comparison.
What is central to investigative psychology?
Interpersonal coherence- the way an offender acts at the scene and how they interact with a victim, may reflect their behaviour in everyday situations. While some rapists want to maintain maximum control and humiliate some are more apologetic. Time and place is significant and also forensic awareness (ability to cover tracks)
What is geographical profiling?
A form of bottom-up profiling based on the principle of spatial consistency. That an offenders operational base and future offences are revealed by geographical location of previous crimes.
What is Canters circle theory?
- serial offenders will restrict their work to geographical areas they are familiar with, provides investigators a centre of gravity.
Either the: - Marauder: who operates in close proximity to their home
- Commuter: likely to have travelled a distance away from their usual residence
What is the brief evaluation of bottom up approach?
- Evidence for investigative psychology BUT tells us little about crime with few links
- Evidence for geographical profiling
-Geographical information insufficient
What are the strengths of the bottom up approach?
- Evidence for investigative psychology, Canter and Heritage (1990) conducted an analysis of 66 sexual assault cases. Used small space analysis several behaviours in common, impersonal language and lack of reaction to victim. Can help identify if crime committed by same person. BUT tells us little about crime with few links, relatively easy to link crimes which is why solved, circular argument.
- Evidence for geographical profiling, Lundrigan and Canter (2001) collated info from 120 murder cases (including serial). Used small space analysis, location of body disposal site created centre of gravity (creates circular effect around home base). More noticeable in marauders. Supports view geographical location can help identify an offender.
What are the limitations of the bottom up approach?
Geographical profiling may not be sufficient on its own, may be reliant of quality of data police can provide. recording crime not accurate,75% of crime not reported to police. Questions utility of approach that relies of accuracy of info such as timing, offence and age. geographical location alone may not always lead to successful capture of an offender.
