Introduction toIntroduction toForensic PsychologyForensic Psychology

Profiling and Psychology

Investigative PsychologyInvestigative PsychologyDEFINITION: The application of psychology to

criminal investigation.

Profiling—one of the tasks often associated with investigative psychology—requires sketching the significant psychological and demographic features of a person or persons.

Broadly defined, investigative psychology includes research and practice involving:-Profiling -Risk Assessment-Police Line-ups -Interrogation-Polygraph -Other?- Hypnosis

CRIMINAL PROFILINGBackground

What is Criminal Profiling?What is Criminal Profiling?

Criminal profiling is the process of identifying personality traits, behavioral tendencies, geographical location, and demographic or biographical descriptors of an offender (or offenders) based on crime scene characteristics.

Goals of ProfilingGoals of Profiling

The primary goal of profiling is to narrow the field of possible suspects.

Profiling is also a form of prediction -- the profiler tries to “predict” who the offender or offenders might be and where and how the next crime may occur.

Traditional investigative techniques often fall short in extreme cases.

A subset of offenses/offenders are considered most suitable for profiling -- What subset of offenders and why more suitable for profiling??

Why Use Criminal Profiles in Why Use Criminal Profiles in Law Enforcement?Law Enforcement?

Brief History of Criminal Brief History of Criminal ProfilingProfiling

1940s - First recorded use by psychiatrist Walter Langer during WWII commissioned to construct a psychodynamic profile of Hitler.

1957 - psychiatrist James Brussels worked with NYPD to construct a profile of the Mad Bomber.

1970s-1980s - FBI (Howard Teten, John Douglas, Robert Ressler, Roy Hazelwood, and others) became involved in psychological profiling and popularized the technique.

1990s – 2003 - attempt (by David Canter, Maurice Godwin, Ron Holmes, Robert Keppel, Brent Turvey, Kim Rossmo and others) to scientize profiling and move the practice beyond the purview of the FBI.

The FBI ProfilersThe FBI Profilers Small/prominent group of FBI profilers helped to popularize

the term in 1970s in the Behavioral Science Unit -- called the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) since 1984.

Responsible for establishing the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP). Published Crime Classification Manual, Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives and true crime novels.

Are known for the ORGANIZED/DISORGANIZED typology and focus on M.O. and SIGNATURE.

Criticized for relying too much on intuition/faulty use of the scientific method.

Is Profiling a Science or Is Profiling a Science or Profession?Profession?

Profiling has not yet achieved the status of a profession. Factors hindering professionalization:

◦ Lack of consensus (on terms, approaches, training, appropriate experience/educational background, etc.).

◦ Practical issues (sensitivity and confidentiality of cases).

◦ Ego/territorial issues.

◦ Absence of uniform standards, practices, peer review, and ethics.

◦ Small number (if any) of profiling positions where profiling is the primary job description.

◦ The notion (and acknowledgement among many profilers) that profiling is more art than science.

Assumptions Made in the Profiling Assumptions Made in the Profiling ProcessProcessSee HolmesSee Holmes & Holmes (2001). Profiling Violent Crimes. Sage.& Holmes (2001). Profiling Violent Crimes. Sage.Crime scene reflects the personality

of the offender.

M.O. remains similar.

Signature will remain the same.

Offender’s personality will not change.

The Organized-Disorganized The Organized-Disorganized TypologyTypology

Whether or not the crime scene is left ORGANIZED or DISORGANIZED is said to provide information about the offender’s criminal sophistication and personality.

Organized crime scene reflects offender who commits crime out of a need for power. Motivation associated with PSYCHOPATHY.

Disorganized crime scene reflects offender who commits crime out of passion, compulsion, frustration, or anxiety. Motivation associated with PSYCHOSIS.

Offense planned Victim a targeted

stranger Victim personalized Controlled conversation Crime scene reflects

overall control Demands submissive

victim

Restraints used Aggressive acts prior to

death Body hidden Weapon/evidence

absent victim or body

transported from scene Associated with

psychopathy

The Organized Crime SceneThe Organized Crime Scene See Ressler, Burgess, & Douglas (1992) Sexual Homicide: Patterns See Ressler, Burgess, & Douglas (1992) Sexual Homicide: Patterns

and Motives. Free Press.and Motives. Free Press.

The DisorganizedThe Disorganized Crime SceneCrime Scene

See Ressler, Burgess, & Douglas (1992) Sexual Homicide: Patterns See Ressler, Burgess, & Douglas (1992) Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives.and Motives. Spontaneous offenseVictim or location

knownDepersonalizes victimMinimal conversationCrime scene random

and sloppySudden violence to

victim

Minimal use of restraints

Sexual acts after deathBody left in viewEvidence/weapon often

presentBody left at death

sceneAssociated with

Psychosis

Interview/Interrogation Interview/Interrogation StrategiesStrategiesSee Holmes & Holmes (1996) Profiling Violent Crimes. Sage.See Holmes & Holmes (1996) Profiling Violent Crimes. Sage.ORGANIZED

◦ Direct confrontation◦ Respects competency◦ One-person interview◦ Don’t expect “free

information”◦ No use of “false evidence”

(are too sharp for this)◦ Conduct when suspect has

no time to gather thoughts

DISORGANIZED◦ Relationship motivated◦ Empathy◦ Constant stream of

conversation◦ Use positive personal

relationship◦ Conduct at night