Offender Profiling

Question 1

Definition of psychological profile

Answer 1

The scientific analysis of trace psychological evidence in order to assist with the detection, suppression and knowledge of criminal behaviour

Question 2

The specific uses of psychological profiling

Answer 2

• Detection of offenders - Distribution of police resources (patrols etc) - Public Education & Safety

Question 3

Important parts of profiling

Answer 3

• use of models and theories related to both abnormal and ‘normal’ psychology (e.g psychological disorders, trait-theory, decision-making),use of personal insight and knowledge of the law

Question 4

When are the two profiling models employed?

Answer 4

• Serial offenders (3 or more separate yet related events)

Question 5

What makes an offender a serial offender?

Answer 5

• 3 or more separate yet related crimes (don’t have to be arrested)

Question 6

Clinical Model (FBI) US

Answer 6

Goal is to create a psychological profile of the offender, get inside the head of offenders

Question 7

Experimental/Statistical Model (UK)

Answer 7

• Goal is to create a statistically-based profile of factors related to the location of the offender and his/her crimes

Question 8

FBI profiling process (4 stages)

Answer 8

1) Data Assimilation Stage 2)Examination of crime scenes 3) Crime scene reconstruction 4) creation of offender profile

Question 9

Stage 1 FBI profiling process

Answer 9

Gathering and assimilating all available data that might be related to the case (e.g police reports, crime scene photos, pathologist reports)

• Attempt to identify the offenders MO (modus operandi) and/or signature

Question 10

Modus Operandi (MO)

Answer 10

Refers to the particular way by which a person performs a particular task (e.g studies for examination)

Question 11

Signature

Answer 11

Any specific and identifiable action or characteristic of the offender that reflects their nature

Question 12

Stage 2 (FBI profiling)

Answer 12

Examination of the crime scenes in order to ascertain whether the scene is representative of an organised or disorganised offender

Question 13

Stage 3 FBI profiling

Answer 13

Crime Scene Reconstruction - use of information gathered in stages 1 & 2 to reconstruct the crime scene in a way that allows for deciding whether the offender is organised or disorganised

Question 14

Organised Offenders

Answer 14

-Average to above average intelligence -Socially & sexually competent -High birth order (first or second born) -Skilled worker - Controlled mood during crime -Precipitating situational stress -Follows crimes in news -May leave town after crime

Question 15

Disorganised offender

Answer 15

• Below average intelligence
• Socially inadequate and sexually incompetent
• Low to middle birth order
• unskilled worker
• anxious mood during crime
• Minimal situational stress
• Does not follow crime in news
• Lives/works near crime scene

Question 16

Ted Bundy, organised or disorganised?

Answer 16

organised

Question 17

Ted Bundy

Answer 17

Assaulted/murdered at least 30 women (rape and necrophilia

- crimes occured in at least 7 different states during a 4-year period

Question 18

Jeffrey Bahner

Answer 18

• Disorganised

- all in miwaukee

Question 19

Stage 4 (FBI profiling)

Answer 19

Creation of an offender profile that includes physical elements as well as identifiers related to their personality (e.g introverted and solitary therefore probably single)