the bottom up approach*

Question 1

the bottom up approach

Answer 1

british approach, Profilers work up from evidence collected from the crime scene to develop hypotheses about the likely characteristics , motivations and social background of the offender.

Question 2

investigative psychology

Answer 2

Aform of bottom-up profiling that matches details from the crime scene with statistical analysis of typical offender behaviour patterns based on psychological theory This is in order to develop a statistical ‘database’ which then acts as a baseline for comparison.

Question 3

Geographical profiling

Answer 3

this is a technique first described by Rossmo in 1997 and is based on the principle of spatial consistency: that an offender’s operational base and possible future offences are revealed by the geographical location of their previous crimes.

Question 4

Canter’s circle theory proposed two models of offender behaviour

Answer 4

The marauder - who operates in close proximity to their home base
The commuter - who is likely to have travelled a distance away from their usual residence
The pattern of offending is likely to form a circle around their usual residence and this becomes more apparent the more offences there are. Such spatial decision making can offer the investigative team important insight into the nature of the offence.

Question 5

AO3: evidence supports investigative psychology

Answer 5

Canter and Heritage conducted a content analysis of 66 sexual assault cases. The data was examined using the statistical technique smallest space analysis . Several characteristics were identified as common in most cases, such as the use of impersonal language and lack of reaction to the victim. These characteristics will occur in different patterns in diff individuals. This can lead to an understanding of how an offender’s behaviour may change over a series of offences, or in establishing whether two or more offences were committed by the same person. This shows the usefulness of investigative psychology because it shows how statistical techniques can be applied.

Question 6

AO3: scientific bias

Answer 6

Canter’s argument is that bottom-up profiling is more objective than the top-down approach as it is more grounded in evidence than psychological theory, and less driven by speculation and hunches. With the aid of artificial intelligence , investigators are able to manipulate geographical, biological and psychological data quickly to produce insights and results that assist the investigation. Similarly, the field of investigative psychology has recently expanded to include such areas such as suspect interviewing and examination of material presented in the court, which supports its utility in all aspects of the judicial process.

Question 7

AO3: Wider application

Answer 7

Another adv the bottom-up approach has over its US rival is that it can be applied to a wide range of offences. Techniques such as smallest space analysis and the principle of spatial consistency can be used in the investigations of crimes such as burglary and theft as well as more serious offences such as murder and rape. In contrast the top-down approach is best suited to explaining only a limited number of crimes such as , rape, arson, cult killings.