bottom up approach Flashcards
What is the bottom up approach?
Generate picture of offender using analysis of crime scene
No typology - works up from crime scene evidence
What are the two parts to the bottom up approach?
Investigative psychology
Geographical profiling
What is investigative psychology?
Apply statistical procedures and psych theory to crime scene analysis
Establish likely patterns of behaviour
From this develop a statistical database which is a baseline for comparison
Details of crime matched against database to reveal details about offender
What is interpersonal coherence?
How an offender behaves at scene reflects everyday behaviour
Rapist with control = attitude to women
What is significance of time and place?
May indicate where offender lives
What is forensic awareness?
May denote how mindful people are of covering their tracks
What is geographical profiling?
Uses location info of linked crime scenes - make inferences about home of offender (crime mapping)
Used in conjunction with psych theory to determine modus operandi
How does geographical profiling work?
Offenders restrict crimes to areas of familiarity
Understanding spatial pattern provides centre of gravity = base
What is the jeopardy surface?
Where the offender is likely to strike next
What is Canter’s circle theory?
Proposed two models of behaviour
Marauder - close proximity to home base
Commuter - travelled distance from residence
Where is the pattern of offending likely to form?
Form a circle around usual residence
Offers insight into offence - mode of transport, age etc
Evaluation - evidence supports investigative psychology
Canter and Heritage content analysis of sexual assault cases
Several characteristics were in most cases - impersonal language
Leads to understanding of how behaviour can change or whether offences were committed by same person
Evaluation - evidence supports geographical profiling
Lundrigan and Canter - analysis of murder cases, found spatial consistency
Body disposal created centre of gravity containing base
Evaluation - scientific basis
Grounded in psych theory, less driven by hunches
Investigative psych now includes suspect interviews
Evaluation - wider application
Applied to burglary as well as serious offences
