Forensic (approaches to profiling)

Question 1

Ainsworth

Answer 1

As stated by Ainsworth profiling refers to the process of using all the available information about a crime, crime scene, victim to compose the profile about the perpetrator. It does not solve a crime but provides police with useful information to narrow down potential suspects. 90% of profiling is used in murder and rape cases. There’re three methods:
US top down
UK bottom up
Geographical

Question 2

US top down

Answer 2

This method originated from USA by the FBI. It aims to identify criminals and predict future acts through stages.
Data assimilation- collect all available info
Crime scene investigation- put crime into catorgories.
Profile generation- develop profile
Crime scene reconstruction- develop hypothesis about the offender and reconstruct events.

Question 3

Arther Shawcross

Answer 3

This was based on evidence from 11 murders of women in New York state profiling correctly suggested he would be at least 35 and return to the crime scene.

Question 4

Holmes

Answer 4

Claimed up 192 cases of profiling resulted in 88 arrests or profiling itself actually contributed to just 17% of these arrests. It is acknowledged that it rarely needs to directly the offender in 77% of cases cases it helps to focus the investigations.

Question 5

Methodological issues

Answer 5

Is based on data from 30 killers meaningless a small sample to base a whole approach. It was opportunity sample. The nature of the participants might mean they could’ve lied. Interviews were also not standardised so it cannot be generalised to the whole target population of criminals. there must be some individual differences.

Question 6

British bottom up

Answer 6

Based on factors such as data from individual profiles and associations made. The key difference is that relies on scientific principles rather than intuition like the US. It emphasises on piecing together evidence.

Question 7

Canter

Answer 7

Argues that people behave consistently to their behaviour during this crime is reflective of everyday. Small space analysis is used looking at every piece of evidence no matter how insignificant.

Question 8

Adrian Babb

Answer 8

Was a rapist he was found guilty of seven rapes in the profile by canter he noted personality traits in the crimes which led to his arrest.

Question 9

Supporting evidence

Answer 9

Unlike the US approach that is evidence supporting methods. House found using small space analysis showed different types of rate could be identified by characteristics of the crime. Copson found it still left the field of suspect quite wide, they found it was a 80% useful, 14% help solve and 3% led identification.
He found detectives expectations are profiling is not well-regarded in some cases profiles may miss direct the case wasting time money e.g. Rachel Nickell case

Question 10

Geographical profiling

Answer 10

This is the analysis of locations of a series of crimes to indicate where the offender may work or live. Cognitive maps are our mental map A criminal must know an area before committing a crime. Against interpret that offenders cognitive map. This is an accomplice system which highlights the jeopardy surface which has colours that indicate whether police can prioritise time. There’s been evidence found for this. As 87% of murders happen around the home and 63 percent within 10 km.

Question 11

The key question

Answer 11

The key question psychology is, is profiling psychologically feasible.