Psychological Profiling T N Harrowing Rape and Murder Cases, Profiling Can Be a Valuable I Way of Focusing Investigations It Uses Offenders' Behavior To
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THE SUSPECT Psychological profiling T n harrowing rape and murder cases, profiling can be a valuable I way of focusing investigations It uses offenders' behavior to model their lives, motives, and backgrounds But the public image of profilers bears little resemblance to the reality: they are not psychics, and their work involves much more science than glamor. Studies suggest that a strange and ugly lead to abnormal behavior such as fire- compulsion drives criminals who kill or starting and cruelty to animals or oiL rape repeatedly. It makes the public fear children, then to petty crime and dct them, the press sensationalize them, but of authority. Most embark on an escal it also affects their behavior in a way pattern of serious violent crime in their that can ultimately lead to their capture. mid- to late twenties. Psychological profiling (also known as Manipulation and domination dris i offender profiling, criminal profiling, or them, and their motives may be sexual, just profiling) analyzes habits and rituals even if no sexual element appears in their of serial criminals. Forensic psychologists crimes. They find murder fulfilling; it use behavioral science to study common gives them a sense of control and success factors that link serial crimes. in their lives. Some They previously lacking Cf 1 speculate on peculiarities of the offender's revel in notoriety, collecting cuttings and re - F -- lifestyle that, when made public, may be taking trophies such as clothes, jewelry, or L1 t:': recognized by colleagues or neighbors. body parts to relive their triumphs. 'sl(U History Profiling in practice ituoa Basic profiling began over a century ago Methodologies differ, but profilers use (see box below). But it emerged as a either inductive or deductive approaches. distinct discipline in the 1950s. Former Inductive profiling assumes that criminals FBI employees began to interview will have backgrounds and motives similar imprisoned offenders to look for common to those of other serial offenders who have factors that linked their crimes. behaved in the same way. For example, a Intriguing patterns emerged from the serial rapist targeting white women is studies of serial killers. They were often unlikely to be black, because similar past assumptions are widely challenged, and victims 0f child abuse. This could then crimes rarely crossed racial lines. Such inductive profiling has suffered some well- publicized setbacks (see case study box). Deductive profiling, though still based on likelihoods, avoids averages and JACK THE RIPPER was the nickname of the serial generalizations. Instead, it studies subjects killer who murdered seven in London's prostitutes in great detail, adapting deductions with neighborhood in 1888. His Whitechapel grisly each fresh piece of evidence. signature was the partial dissection of his victims, Usually, deductive profiling follows the and this triggered the first attempt at psychological strategy established by the FBI (see above profiling. George B. Philips, a police surgeon, noticed right-hand box). An offender profile is the neat removal of the organs of Annie Chapman, built based on their actions before, during, the third victim. Philips concluded that only someone and after the crime. For example, if a with medical training could have made the incisions murderer uses an it so precisely. This observation did little to help the improvised weapon, suggests that the crime was impulsive. Artist's of the investigation. Despite police receiving taunting notes impression Deductive builds on inductive murderer Jack the Ripper signed "Jack the Ripper," the killer was never caught. profiling knowledge and couples theories from past studies with evidence found at the scene. 68 4 PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING f 4k FBIS PROFILING STRATEGY PROFILING INPUTS Collate information about the crime. DECISION PROCESS MODELS Look for a pattern: classify crimes, judge criminal and victim risk, look at actions before and after the crime. CRIME ASSESSMENT Reconstruct CRIME KIT A offender's behavior: what does it Careful preparations, including tape and rope, reveal about their character? suggest the criminal fits the "organized serial rapist" / stereotype. Here, the victim is represented by a model. 4 PROFILE From the results of the crime assessment, build up a description of the most likely suspect: probable race, Comfort zone sex, age, lifestyle, beliefs, values, and criminal record. As well as highlighting personality types, profiling can involve a geographical 5 INVESTIGATION Profiler's report can element. Serial killers first commit crimes be used to narrow their help police in a neighborhood they know well, their 4 search for the suspect. "comfort zone," and travel farther as their .'. 6 APPREHENSION Good interview sense of power grows. An important task technique may elicit a confession, of a profiler is to look for the earliest .. crimes bearing the offender's "signature.' A signature is a ritual or behavior patternj, For example, serial murderers can be that, though unnecessary, fulfils the killer either "organized," carrying out planned, emotionally. lnvestirratinns are more , premeditated attacks on strangers, or successful if they trace this signature back "disorganized," committing unplanned to the earliest crime in a series. killings and behaving haphazardly. Other clues-or lack of them-identify BUNGLED BURGLARY organized killers. They often hide their Inept rifling of a victim's home after rape or murder identities by wearing gloves and a mask, suggests the criminal does not have post burglary and a "toolbox" for may carry containing, convictions. Experienced burglars would open the example, duct tape and rope for restraint. bottom drawer first, then work upward to save time. 69.