Offender profiling Flashcards
Define offender profiling
The idea that you can make assumptions about characteristics of an offender by a careful analysis of the offence they commit.
Offenders have a distinctive way they commit crime, called a criminal signature which can be combined with other information about the victim and time and place of the crime.
Describe the top down approach
Profilers have created pre-existing categories of offender types called organised and disorganised. The use evidence collected from the crime scene and other contextual information to fit the offender into one of these types. Developed in America and refers to Criminal Investigative Analysis
Describe the bottom up approach
Starts with sensory information/data such as crime data collection. Profilers gather information from the crime scene such as location, criminal and victim behaviour. Statistical analysis is then used comparing details of the crime to data collected from a larger number of previous similar crimes such as how far an offender is likely to travel. Refers to Investigative psychology as is developed in the UK
What is the FBI top down approach research?
Developed by the FBI’s behavioural science unit. 36 convicted murderers were interviewed, with 118 known victims between them. As a result of their responses 24 were classified as organised offenders and 12 disorganised offenders.
Study posited that profiling could be an effective tool for law enforcement in narrowing suspect lists and predicting future behaviours.
What are the profile characteristics of an organised murderer?
Average to above-average intelligence
Socially competent
Skilled work preferred
Sexually competent
High birth order status
Farther’s work stable
Inconsistent childhood discipline
Controlled mood during crime
Precipitating situational stress
Living with partner
Mobility with car in good condition
Follows crime in news media
May change jobs or leave town
What are the characteristics of a disorganised murderer?
Below-average intelligence
Socially inadequate
Unskilled work
Sexually incompetent
Low birth order status
Harsh discipline as child
Minimal use of alcohol
Living alone
Lives/works near crime scene
Minimal interest in news media
Significant behaviour change (drug/alcohol abuse).
What are the organised characteristics of an organised murderers crime scene?
Planned offence
Victim and targeted stranger
Personalises victim
Controlled conversation
Crime scene reflects overall control
Demand submissive victim
Restraints used
Aggressive acts prior to death
Body hidden
Weapon/evidence absent
Transports victim or body
What are the characteristics of a disorganised murderers crime scene?
Spontaneous offence
Victim/location known
Depersonalises victim
Minimal conversation
Crime scene random and sloppy
Sudden violence to victim
Minimal use of restraints
Sexual acts after death
Body left in view
Evidence/weapon often present
Body left at death scene
What supports the FBI top down approach research?
Ressier developed the definitions of organised and disorganised offender through extensive interviews with real serial offenders like Ted Bunny. As 24 could be classified as organised and 12 disorganised this suggests there are distinct ‘types’ of offender that may predict behaviour and aid apprehension.
What are the limitations of the FBI top down approach research?
Used a restricted sample of only 36 convicted murderers so the results may not be generalisable to the wider population.
The categorisation can be overly simplistic, as many offenders exhibits traits from both categories.
Lacks empirical validation due to a small sample size.
What is contradicting research of the FBI top down approach research?
Canter reviewed 100 US serial killers, analysing 39 aspects of their offence. It was found that disorganised features were rare and didn’t form a distinct ‘type’ this suggests that there is a false dichotomy between the 2 types and organisation is typical of most serial killers.
What is a strength of the FBI top down approach research?
Provides a practical framework for law enforcement and has widely adopted in criminal investigations
What is a debate of the FBI top down approach?
Study emphasises the importance od psychological profiles in understanding criminal behaviour, raising questions about the validity and reliability of such classifications.
Describe research into the bottom up approach
Enter analysed 100 sexual assault cases from the UK, focusing on behaviour patterns, such as the nature of the crime scene and the actions of the offender. The analysis utilised statistical techniques to identify common traits among offenders.
Study revealed identifiable patterns in offender behaviour that correlated with specific crime characteristics, allowing for more targeted profiling.
Concluded that a scientific approach to profiling could enhance investigative accuracy. Findings suggest that criminal behaviour is not random but rather follows identifiable patterns.
What are the strengths of Canter’s bottom up approach research?
The use of a large sample size increases the generalisability of the findings. The study is also methodologically rigours due to its reliance on statistical analysis.
What are the weaknesses of Canter’s bottom up approach research?
While it supports the bottom-up approach, it may not account for all variables influencing behaviour, such as situational factors or psychological disorders.
What are the debates of Canter’s bottom up approach research?
This study contributes to the ongoing debate between the top down and bottom-up approaches, highlighting the importance of empirical data in profiling.
