chapter 7 textbook Flashcards
criminal profiling
involves the attempt to “reverse engineer” a final product—the crime scene—in the attempt to gain leads about the individual[s] who committed the crime
general description of who the unsub(s) could be like
two aspects of criminal profiling
crime scene analysis and inferences about offender’s characteristics/background
major resource and development on criminal profiling
FBI Behavioral Science Unit (BSU)
Limitations of criminal profiling
its scientific validity is debated, and many professionals remain skeptical about its effectiveness.
polygraphs
measure physiological responses to determine truthfulness. However, their accuracy is questioned, and they are not admissible in all legal contexts.
brain-based techniques
Methods like fMRI assess brain activity to detect deception. These are emerging tools but are not yet widely accepted due to concerns about reliability and ethical implications
false confessions
due to coercive interrogation tactics, psychological pressure, or a desire to end an uncomfortable situation
interrogation techniques
presenting fabricated evidence or using psychological manipulation can lead to false confessions. These methods raise concerns about the voluntariness and reliability of confessions.
case of Henry McCollum and Leon Brown
two young, intellectually disabled half-brothers who falsely confessed to a crime, underscores the dangers of unreliable confession evidence
Miranda rights
Suspects must be informed of their rights before interrogation to ensure any confession is admissible in court.
admissibility of evidence
Courts scrutinize the methods used to obtain confessions and other evidence. Unreliable or coercive techniques can render evidence inadmissible
miranda v arizona 1996
held that police must inform suspects of their right to remain silent and to an attorney (Miranda rights) before custodial interrogation.
Central Park 5
Five Black and Latino teens were wrongfully convicted of the brutal assault and rape of a white woman in Central Park.
Background: The teens, aged 14 to 16, were coerced into confessing during interrogations. Their confessions were inconsistent and contradicted the physical evidence.
Outcome: The convictions were overturned years later after Matias Reyes, a convicted murderer, confessed to the crime, and DNA evidence confirmed his involvement.
Richard “Dickie” Edwards
Edwards was accused of sexually assaulting a child. During interrogation, he exhibited behaviors that were interpreted as signs of deception.
Background: Edwards’ demeanor was studied using the polygraph and behavioral cues. The interrogation involved standard lie-detection techniques.
Outcome: After further investigation, it was found that Edwards was innocent and the lie-detection results were inaccurate
