Forensic Psychology -> Offender Profiling

Question 1

Offender profiling

Answer 1

• Likely suspects
• Characteristics of the offender can be deduced from details
• Analysis of evidence

Question 2

The Top-Down Approach

Answer 2

• Templates are pre-existing in the mind of the profiler
• Evidence from the crime scene

Question 3

Organised Offenders

Answer 3

• Planned the crime in advance
• Preference for a certain type of victim
• High level of control
• Little evidence left behind
• Above average intelligence
• Married and have children

Question 4

Disorganised Offenders

Answer 4

• Little evidence of planning
• Impulsive nature of the attack
• Very little control on the part of the offender
• Lower than average intelligence
• Sexual dysfunction

Question 5

Weaknesses of The Top-Down Approach

Answer 5

• Only applies to certain crimes
• Reveals very little about the offender.
• 36
• Unrepresentative
• Holmes
• Four types of serial killer