offender profiling comparison

Question 1

AO3: difference- top down is less scientific than bottom up

however, similarly both rely on analysis of crime scene

Answer 1

as top down is based on qualitative, subjective methods whereas the bottom up approach is ore scientific as it is based on qualitative statistical methods.

However, a similarity between the top down and bottom up approach is that they both rely on analysis of crime scenes

Question 2

AO3: difference- top down is only useful for specific crimes

however, evidence contradicts that top down is actually useful for other crimes

Answer 2

top down is mostly only useful for specific crimes such as murder and rape where a lot is revealed about the crime scene. Whereas the bottom up approach can be applied to a wider range of crimes.

However, research has shown that the top down approach has been very useful for crimes such as burglary.

Question 3

AO3: similarity- both assume there is a pattern in offenders behaviour

Answer 3

both approaches assume that there is a pattern in offenders behaviour. Top down assumes offenders are either organised or disorganised, and bottom up assumes repeat offenders choose the same area to commit crimes

Question 4

AO3: differences- originated from different countries

Answer 4

the top down approach originated in USA and was created by FBI whereas bottom up originates in UK by psychological expertise. This means the two approaches come from different cultures and have different viewpoints