offender profiling

Question 1

what is the top down approach

Answer 1

the profiler has experience and can use the evidence at the crime scene to develop a profile of the likely criminal

Question 2

what is the bottom up approach

Answer 2

research and statistics of similar crimes are used to develop a profile based upon previous convictions

Question 3

what does modus operandi mean

Answer 3

way you behaviour or operate

Question 4

what are the core assumptions of profiling

Answer 4

congruence and consistency

Question 5

there is consistency in the individuals modus operandi because of what

Answer 5

the offenders personality will be consistent and it reflects back in the crime scene

Question 6

name the 7 decision making tools

Answer 6

1) murder type
2) primary intent
3) victim risk
4) offender risk
5) escalation
6) time factors
7) location factors

Question 7

what is meant by primary intent

Answer 7

if it was deliberate or pre-meditated murder

Question 8

what are the characteristics of a organised behaviour towards victim

Answer 8

victim has been targeted
agressive
controlling conversation

Question 9

what are the characteristics of a disorganised crime scene detail

Answer 9

weapon present
sexual activity after death
body left in view

Question 10

what are the characteristics of a organised criminal

Answer 10

high intelligence
social competent
skilled occupation

Question 11

what is the background of a disorganised criminal

Answer 11

low birth order – youngest child

harsh discipline as a child

Question 12

Robert K Ressler interviewed serial killers, what did he think criminals are driven by..

Answer 12

pre-meditation and fantasies

Question 13

evaluation advantage- Copson 1995 US

Answer 13

he questioned 184 US police officers where by 82% said the bottom up approach was useful and 90% said they would use it again

Question 14

evaluation disadvantage- top down approach

Answer 14

organised and disorganised crime came from 36 of the most dangerous and sexually motivated murders, therefore it is not a reliable source and cannot be generalised to ‘typical’ offenders

Question 15

evaluation advantage- copson 1995 UK

Answer 15

surveyed 48 UK police forces using investigating profiling and found 75% of police officers that where questioned said bottom up approach was useful.
But only 3% said it had helped so may not be useful in catching offender

Question 16

evaluation advantage bottom up approach Rossomo 1999

Answer 16

supports geographical approach and claims it may not solve crimes but it can be useful in identifying a location where DNA is found

Question 17

evaluation disadvantage bottom up approach Rossomo 1999

Answer 17

can’t distinguish between multiple offenders in the same area
the method is limited to spatial behaviour

Question 18

what are the 4 main principles in geographical profiling to help shape a profile

Answer 18

1) location
2) systematic crime location choice
3) centrality
4) comparative case analysis

Question 19

what are the 2 types of offenders in centrality and define them

Answer 19

1- commuter who travel to commit crime

2-maraudes who commit crime close to home

Question 20

what is the bottom up approach linked with

Answer 20

geographical location

Question 21

what are the 5 assumptions by David Canter

Answer 21

1. interpersonal coherence
2. time and place
3. criminal characteristics
4. criminal career
5. forensic awareness

Question 22

what is the advantage of geographical profiling to the police

Answer 22

it helps narrow down the field of availables