Evaluation of top down approach

Question 1

How is it a limited approach? - particular crimes

Answer 1

doesn’t look at smaller crimes like burglary/vandalism etc

Question 2

What is the approach based on the assumption of? outdated

Answer 2

that offenders have patterns of behaviour and motivations which remain consistent

Question 3

What have several critics (Alison et al) suggested?

Answer 3

the approach is naive and informed by old fashioned models - static models = poor validity

Question 4

What did Canter et al use in his study?

Answer 4

smallest space analysis to analyse data from 100 murderers - no disorganised type so undermines the theory as a whole

Question 5

How is it too simplistic?

Answer 5

a variety of combinations could occur in any given murder scene

Question 6

What did Godwin ask?

Answer 6

how police would classify a killer with high intelligence and sexual competence who commit a spontaneous murder

Question 7

What does Holmes suggest?

Answer 7

that there are four types of serial killer:

• visionary
• mission
• hedonistic
• power

Question 8

Why is the sample unrepresentative?

Answer 8

of the 36 killers, 25 were serial killers and its too small of a sample