Criminal Profiling

© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Criminal Profiling

Caleb Carr’s The Alienist

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Introduction

o Criminal profilers study evidence collected and analyzed by crime-scene investigators to formulate a hypothesis about a perpetrator’s• Age

• Personality

• Lifestyle

• Social environment

o The overall aim is to help the police narrow the field of investigation

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Modern Day Profiling

Click on seal.

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Stages of the Profiling Process

1. Input2. Decision process models3. Crime assessment4. Criminal profile5. Investigation6. Apprehension

The logic is that the way a person thinks guides his or her behavior.

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1 – Input

o Collecting information about crime scene• Body position• Weapons • Blood spatter• Condition of surroundings

o History of the victim • Employment and reputation• Social habits• Hobbies and interests

o Autopsy report

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2 – Decision Process Models

o Classifying the crime

o Determining motives

o Risk level of the victim (more later)

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3 – Crime Assessment

o Modus Operandi (MO)—the method of operation (all the actions and behaviors that were needed to commit the crime)• Organized vs. disorganized (more on next slide)

o Signature—repeating a habit at each crime scene

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3 – Crime Assessment

Organized Disorganized

• High intelligence

• Methodological

• Lures victims; targets them

• Maintains control over the

crime scene and is able to

cover their tracks and hide the

body

• Socially adept: “a really nice

guy,” “wouldn’t hurt a fly”

• May be antisocial, but knows

right from wrong, and shows

no remorse

• Low intelligence

• Impulsive

• Murders when the opportunity

arises in ‘blitz’ attacks;

chooses victims at random

• Rarely disposes of the body,

often leaving it where it is

• Socially inept: “a little creepy”

• May be young, under the

influence of alcohol or drugs,

or mentally ill

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4 – Criminal Profile

o A typical profile includes estimates of:• Race

• Sex

• Physical characteristics

• Habits

• Values and beliefs

o Compare the profile with the decision process models (stage 2) and reconstruction of the crime scene (stage 3)

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5 – Investigation

o Begins after profiler submits written report

o Seek and evaluate suspects that match the profile

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6 – Apprehension

o Apprehend

o Interview

o Interrogate

o Arrest

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Victimology

o A victim is a person who has experienced harm, injuries, loss, or death.

o Victimology is the study victims who have been affected by crime, accidents, or natural disasters.

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Victim Risk

o Assessment is very subjective

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Victim Risk

o Aggressive nature

o Impulsive

o Anxious

o Passive

o Thrives on attention

o Self-inflicted injuries

o Poor self-image

o Negative

o Exhibits addictive behaviors

The stronger the personality characteristic, the stronger the risk.

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Victimology Assessment

o At the crime scene• Did the victim know the perpetrator?

• Does the victim suspect anyone in particular and why?

• Has the victim reported similar or other crimes in which he or she was the victim?

• Is the victim carrying a weapon? Does the victim own a weapon?

• Has the victim been in any other police reports in the past?

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Victimology Assessment

o Forensics and profiling working together:• What are some of the victim’s general physical

characteristics, including eye color, hair color, weight, and ethnicity?

• Where does the victim work and what is his or her work schedule?

• Does the victim have a criminal history? If so, investigators will ask the victim to explain.

• What is the victim’s daily routine?

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Victimology Assessment

o Working together (cont’d):• What is the contact information of the victim’s

family members, friends, and coworkers?

• What is the victim’s medical history, including mental health records?

• What medications is the victim taking?

• What is the victim’s education level?

• Where does the victim live and with whom?

o Create a timeline of events leading up to the crime