Forensics

Question 1

what is the purpose of the top down approach

Answer 1

to produce a profile of the most likely offender.

it is an intuitive approach and not scientific.

Question 2

what are the stages of the top down approach

Answer 2

1. profiling inputs: crime scene, background info, crime details.
2. decision process models: murder type, time and location factors.
3. crime assessment: organised (intelligent, socially and sexually competent, live with partner) or disorganised (unplanned, SA on body after death, many clues).
4. criminal profile: profile constructed.
5. crime assessment: matching people are evaluated and if new evidence is found go back to 2.
6. apprehension: when arrested conclusion of each stage is checked.

Question 3

top down - ao3

Answer 3

useful: 82% police officers said it was useful, opens a new method of investigation and prevents wrongful conviction.

profiles can mislead investigations and give criminals ideas to mislead investigations.

closeness of profile to offender not reliable. 50% of police voted fake profile as accurate.

Question 4

bottom up approach - investigative psychology

Answer 4

interpersonal coherence: links between crime and consistent everyday behaviour.

forensic awareness: behaviour reveals awareness of police techniques and past experience e.g. covering fingerprints.

smallest space analysis: underlying themes
instrumental opportunistic
instrumental cognitive
expressive impulsive

Question 5

geographical profiling

Answer 5

location gives clues

circle theory - crimes within a circle that they live or commute to.

criminal geographic targeting - 3D map showing probability of offender residence.

Question 6

bottom up ao3

Answer 6

circle theory lacks success - if they dont live within circle investigator may look in wrong place. ranges may resent a different shape.

75% of police officers found profilers advice useful.

geographical profiling is not much better than pins on a map.

Question 7

eysenck’s theory

Answer 7

used EPQ to test personality types:

extraversion - outgoing, positive emotions, bored easily.
seek external stimulation to increase arousal, engaging in dangerous activities.

neuroticism - tend towards negative emotions, unstable, gets upset quickly.
over-react to threats leading to crime.

psychoticism - aggressive, impulsive, lack empathy. linked to high levels of testosterone so likely in men.
aggression leads to crime.

Question 8

eysenck ao3

Answer 8

personality not consistent - act the same in similar situations but don’t have one personality for all situations.
friends, family and strangers rated personality of 63 students and there was no correlation.

lack validity - EPQ uses self report - social desirability bias.

real world application - can provide treatment for potential criminals - modify socialisation of children.