FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY Psychological Profiling of Homicidal Offenders
ORIGINS: 1886 - Jack the Ripper Dr. Bond Physical Strength, no accomplice, respectable, neatly dressed, solitary habits, no full time employment. 1956 George Metsky New York Bomber Dr. Brussel Male, heavy, middle aged, single, living with a sibling.
PROFILING GOALS: Gain an idea of the physical, behavioral and demographic characteristics of the offender. what their behavior is likely to be after the crime. When they might strike again.
Types: Crime Scene Profiling - uses information from the scene of the crime (physical and other evidence) to generate a picture of the unknown offender. Psychological Profiling - uses standard personality tests and interviewing to assess the extent to which the individual fits the known personality template of a certain type of offender. Offender Profiling - is the collection of empirical data in order to get a picture of the characteristics of those involved in a certain type of crime.
Common Terms Signature The signature is often referred to as the calling card of the offender. The person goes beyond what is necessary to commit the crime, i.e. burglarize and defecate home, stab a number of times. Staging Altering the crime scene to throw the investigation, this may happen with organized offenders. Concept of Escalation- an increase in the intensity of criminal behavior. Crimes start at a minor level and progress to worsening levels. Burglary is often correlated with murder. Modus Operandi the operating technique used by the offender. The actions necessary to commit murder.
Classification of Murderers Patterns of Murderers: Organized Vs. Disorganized
Classification of Offenders ORGANIZED DISORGANISED VICTIMS Wives and girlfriends safe gets more pleasure from killing Single White Female. Anybody very poor relations with women in general. Usually live alone. CRIME SCENE Crime scene staged, and transport body No staging, leave body where killed. WEAPON May carry weapon with him, and take them away after the crime Uses weapon of opportunity, frenzied attack, often depersonalizes the victim, i.e. turn them on their stomachs
Classification of Offenders ORGANISED DISORGANISED CHILDHOOD Troublemaker at school. Classmates won t remember the offender. PERSONALITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN Externalize anger, often attractive, confident, intelligent, good verbal skills. History of problems with authority. Talks to women, mood is fairly controlled. Internalise anger, physically unattractive, low self-esteem, and previous suicide attempts, not very articulate in conversation. Doesn t often talk to women, mood is anxious
Classification of Offenders PLACE OF RESIDENCE PRE-OFFENCE ORGANISED Live some distance from the crime, except the first crime, as it is close to home and more comfortable. Usually live with a woman. May be precipitated by loss of job or break-up with partner. DISORGANISED Kills where there is familiarity, usually close to home or to work. Lives alone. Low self-esteem comes on victim of opportunity. PUBLICITY Takes interest in media reports of crime, will often try to get involved with the police investigation No interest in media reports of crime.
Mixed Crime Scenes Most crime scenes are mixed in nature as The organized offender may have been interrupted. There may be more than one offender, patterns are different at the crime scene. Reaction from victim may not have been anticipated, and the offender may not have been able to control the victim. Organized offenders may become disorganized after a spree of killings. Alcohol or drugs may have had an effect. Offenders themselves may have mixed patterns of behaviour.
Factors to Consider Time Factors Mornings = unemployed/shift worker. Length of Time = longer the time, the greater the risk of being apprehended. Location Factors Was he/she persuaded to go elsewhere? Where was the person found? (Was the body moved? has the person a means of transport?) Is it likely that the victim or offender has some familiarity with the place?
Steps in Conducting a Profile 1.Victim Background 2.Offender Behavioral Profile 3.Type of Murder