Criminal Profiling

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To identify suspects and analyse patterns to predict possible future crimes and victims.

Question 2

USA

Answer 2

Top-down method.

Douglas and Burgess - “typology approach”.

Question 3

UK

Answer 3

“Bottom-up” - Canter.

Question 4

USA - Starting point

Answer 4

Divides criminals into two types: organised criminal and disorganised criminal.
Organised - planned approach, great deal of self-control, high IQ, skilled job, married or have a partner, tend to suffer from anger and depression at time of crime, hides body.
Disorganised - random behaviour, unplanned, tends to be kept in open, usually lives alone, unemployed, at time is confused/frightened.

Question 5

USA - Douglas

Answer 5

4 stages of criminal profiling:

1. Crime scene data.
2. Classification of crime.
3. Reconstruction of crime.
4. Create profile.

Question 6

UK - Approach

Answer 6

Canter and Gregory - main researchers.
Start with small details, build picture from there. 
Rely heavily on computer databases. 
5 main characteristics:
1. Personal traits. 
2. Criminal history.
3. Circle theory - geographical.
4. Family history. 
5. Occupational and educational history.

Question 7

Canter and Young

Answer 7

Location of crime scenes reflect the offenders.
Mental map of the area.
Link between geographical profiling and psychological theory.

Question 8

Canter and Lundrigan

Answer 8

States all criminal decisions are influenced by social, cognitive and economic factors.

Question 9

Alison et al.

Answer 9

Argues that external situations can be a major factor in criminal behaviour.
Profiling is a useful tool but can only be used in a limited range of crimes.

Question 10

Holmes

Answer 10

Offender profiling data has limited use.

Question 11

Pinizzotto

Answer 11

Profiling contributes to identification.