offender profilking

Question 1

what are the two approaches to profiling

Answer 1

top down approach - starts with the bigger picture then try’s to fill in details.

bottom up approach- starts with small details that are put together to create the bigger picture

Question 2

top down approach
-where it originated, what data does it collect and what crimes is it used for.
extra

Answer 2

-originated with the FBI, USA
- qualitative data (interviews)
-used to solve more extreme crimes.

info left at crime scene tells us about the type of offender

Question 3

how does the top down approach do it

Answer 3

-assigns an offender to a typology then they put the info into a data base and compare to other entries on certain aspects of the crime.
to detect signature aspects of the crime .

Question 4

what are the 4 stages of the top down apporach

Answer 4

1. data assimilation
   2.crime scene classification
   3.crime reconstruction
   4.profile generated

Question 5

what is stage one

Answer 5

data assimilation
-data collected from the scene eg finger print , weapons , blood

Question 6

stage 2

Answer 6

crime scene classification
-profiler starts to organise info eg :
-murder type (spree, mass, serial)
-time (day night short)
-location (public private)

and type of offender organised or disorganised

Question 7

what is an organised offender (stage 2)

Answer 7

planned- shows control, lack of evidence left behind , victim pre-identified

-above average IQ,socially sexually competent, likely to be married/cohabiting , have job

Question 8

what is a disorganised offender (stage 2)

Answer 8

committed impulsively in the heat of the moment.
-unplanned, spontaneous, leave evidence as scene, victim random

-lives alone/near crime scene, socially and sexually inadequate, physically sexually abused in childhood.

Question 9

Stage 3

Answer 9

Crime Reconstruction
Construct profile with theory of what happened
Interview strategy and Strategy to catch them is devised

Question 10

Stage 4

Answer 10

Profile is generated
Written report and match profile against existing data
And sketch is drawn

Question 11

Top down approach evaluation

Answer 11

✅-
82% of police said it was useful
Influential as its the furstbaooroach to profiling

❌- limited way of investigating crime as only applies to extreme crime
Small sample size (36) and low reliability can we trust convicted criminals

Question 12

What is the bottom up approach and who suggested it

Answer 12

Canter
Starts with small details to create a bigger picture
Relies on computers data base (objective)
-assumes offenders leave psychologists fingerprint
Based on two key components investigative psychology and geographical profiling

Question 13

What is investigative psychology

Answer 13

-Each crime is recorded inti a database, So patterns of behaviour can be seen
-Details of all new crimes are put into the data base and matched with previous crimes to find patterns
-interpersonal coherence - people are consistent in their behaviour assumes they have same behaviour shown in committing the crime In everyday life.

Question 14

What is geographical profilling

Answer 14

Look at the time and place crime was committed
Assumptions about where the offender lives as they’re more likely to commit crime there.

Circle theory- people commit crime within an imaginary circle.
Two types of offenders:
- commuter- travel to another area to commit crime
- marauder- commit crimes in their area

Question 15

Evaluation for bottom up approach to offender profilling

Answer 15

✅- high validity as scientific because its databased
-helps narrow down suspects - 75% of police said it was useful but only 3% said it led to right offender.
-can be applied to wide range of offences.

❌- only 3% of police said it helped catch suspect- shows not as effective
Implications to economy - profilers need training - comes from tax money