forensic psychology Flashcards
define offender profiling
a method of working out the characteristics of an offender by examining the characteristics of the crime and crime scene
-base on prior experiences, computer databases to analyse
-determine characteristics of offender by nature and manner of offence
what is the top-down approach
- qualitative approach analysis of previous crimes creates profile of likely offender (relies on intuition and beliefs)
-suitable for murder, rape (police experience. and past criminals)
data assimilation
decision process models
(patterns in offending behaviour)b
top down crime assessment
disorganised
little planning
random selection of victim
leave clues
lives alone, unskilled
organised
planned
targeted victim
violent fantasies act out
high in intelligence sexually competent
above average IQ (habitat marred)
evaluation: useful
US officers more than 80% find it useful and will use it again, may not result in actual identification but it looks at potential contributions
-opens up new avenues prevent wrongful conviction
might inflict potential harm (questions about its believability)
-no basis of science or theory, ambiguous descriptions “Barnum Effect”
-might mislead investigations if they are wrong
smart offenders may read how profiles are constructed and manipulate mislead by providing misleading clues
disorganised vs organised
the dichotomy between two might be a continuum instead of separated categories
-ignored “mixed” offender
-no clear division between o and do types of the offender when analysed -> little evidence for do crimes
measuring accuracy of approach
-measure closeness of profile to actual offender characteristics
-not reliable -> over half officers rated the fake version of characteristics as accurate when given two versions
(Alison)
Bottom approach
A data-given approach where statistical techniques are used to produce predictions about characteristics of offender
-investigative psychology
-geographical profiling
investigative psychology
(statistical analysis of crime scene computer programmes, psychological theory)
interpersonal coherence- (consistent behaviours apply to everyday life, behaviour might change overtime)
forensic awareness - (certain behaviours reveal police techniques and experiences)
smallest space analysis-( crime scene data and characteristics are correlated)
-instrumental opportunistic (obtain sth from easy chances)
-… cognitive (more planned)
-expressive impulsive (uncontrolled)
Geographical Profiling
(based on pattern shown by location or locations of crimes)
-analyse locations of connected series of crimes, spatial relationships between scenes relate to offender’s residence
circle theory (railway rapist)
based on spatial distribution (criminals base would be in centre of circle of plots joined)
marauder - home near
commuters- travels
CGT (targeting)
computerised system (3D map) indicates closeness distance from crime scenes with colours
ignoring other aspects
Criminal geographic targeting only looks at spatial relationships and does not consider personality characteristics. May not be more useful than sticking pins in a map; Also possible bias in the way the software is programmed. This system has been abandoned by some forces.
usefulness
only 3% helped identify actual offender despite finding it useful
lack of success in circle theory
question about the scientific basis
Bottom-up is more scientific than top down. Uses more objective measures. However, the analysis is only as good as the data. Comparative data comes from criminals who have been caught – not representative of all criminals.
biological approach: historical
atavistic
somatotypes
atavistic form is early explanation for criminal behaviour suggesting criminal personality is innate, can be distinguished by facial characteristics
(argued as genetic throwbacks)
what are the atavistic features
asymmetrical face
prominant jaw cheekbones
dark skin
glinting eyes
extra nipples
his data from empirical evidence
post mortems
-studies faces (measurement of skulls and physiological characteristics) but no control group
environmental influence
-atavistic form interacted with persons physical and social environment
born criminals - throwbacks
insane - mental illness
criminaloids- mental characteristics predisposed to criminal behaviour
somatotypes
leptosome (tall thin petty thieves)
athletic (tall and muscular violence)
pykin (short and fat crime of deception)
mixed (crime against morality)
contributions to science
based his ideas on empirical observation and detailed measurement
emphasised on evidence based - science studies
BUT LACK OF CONTROLS
gender bias
women is less evolved than men
-androcentric ideas (women naturally jealous and passive maternally focused, less likely to be criminals-> monsters)
support for somatotypes
Gluek and Gluek – 1970
Best evidence we have of body type linking to criminality (K’s ideas were never really tested) – used 3 body types identified by Sheldon in the 1940s. Found 60% of delinquents were mesomorphs (K’s athletic type).
link between personality type and criminality
eysencks theory based on research methods
- personality types and criminality
-idea of genetics
psychological explanation: Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality
questionnaire assessing key aspects of personality (applied to criminality)
extraversion (enjoy rick and danger nervous system under aroused)
neuroticism (negative outlook lack of stability)
psychoticism (aggressive anti-social)
extraversion vs introversion
naturally low levels of arousals (participate more in dangerous and risky activities)
criminality often involves risk and danger (do not respond well to conditioning)
Neuroticism vs stability
tends to have negative outlook
determined by level of stability of sympathetic nervous system
(response to fight or flight)
unstable and easily triggered
over-react in situations of threat
psychoticism vs normality
egocentric lack in empathy
high levels of testosterone
aggressive see criminal behaviours as nothing wrong
EPI
higher scoring in three aspects more likely to be criminals BUT personality type (biological) socialisation (environmental) has a great impact also
supporting evidence
tested male prisoners compared to control group of non prisoners
(E N Pare higher than control group)
