1. Profiling
Top Down Approach

2. Objectives of the session
To identify different characteristics from a crime scene
To contribute at least 1 behaviour to a potential profile of the killer
To explore the key study posed by Canter in relation to the Top Down approach

3. What is profiling? Simply
Collection of various scientific and psychological theories and techniques
Attempt to draw suggestions as to the characteristics of an offender
Based on the behaviour exhibited at a crime scene

4. Offender Profiling Process
No lines of inquiry
Meet SIO
Photographs
Statements
Profiler
Maps
Visit Crime Scene
Victimology
Post Mortem

5. Profiling history
The origins of profiling can be traced back to the Middle Ages
The Spanish Inquisition tried to “profile” heretics
Cesare Lombroso and several others realized the potential of profiling in the 1800s
Their research reflects the biases of their time
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition…

6. Thomas Bond Dr Bond tried to profile Jack the Ripper in 1880s
Autopsied Mary Kelly (last victim)
Identified sexual nature of the murders - elements of misogyny/rage
Claimed all 5 crimes committed by one person who was physically strong, composed and daring
Quiet & harmless in appearance, possibly middle-aged & neatly dressed
A loner, without a real occupation
Later concluded the same offender was responsible for murder of Alice McKenzie
The Jack the Ripper case remains a mystery

7. Walter C. Langer
In 1943 the American secret service asked psychiatrist Walter Langer to profile Adolf Hitler
They wanted to know how to interrogate him if he was captured
Suggested that Hitler’s mother’s death from cancer left him unable to handle relationships
Determined to prove his masculinity
(unresolved Oedipus Complex)
Langer concluded Hitler would certainly commit suicide if defeated
This is exactly what happened

8. Fictional killer Hannibal Lecter despised profiling
Purpose of Profiling
Fictional killer Hannibal Lecter despised profiling
To identify suspects for close questioning
To suggest interrogation strategies
To predict future victims and escalation
To suggest techniques for rehabilitation
The CIA kept updating its profile on Osama Bin Ladin

9. What should the Profile include?
May vary
Has been suggested that the following should be included:
Ethnicity
Gender
Age range
Marital status
Employment
Degree of sexual maturity
Reaction to police questioning
Likelihood of reoffending
Previous convictions
Previous offence similar to current offence

10. Creating A Profile 1
The FBI compile homicide profiles around 4 key topics:
Antecedent: What fantasy or plan did the murderer have before the act? What triggered the murderer to act?
Method & manner: What type of victim did the murderer select? What was the method: shooting, stabbing, strangulation or something else?
Body disposal: Did the murder happen where the body was found? Was the body moved? Did the killer intend it to be found?
Post-offence behaviour: Is the murderer reacting to media reports or contacting investigators?

11. Creating A Profile 2 The offence
Is there evidence of careful planning?
Gaps between offences can suggest the offender spent time in prison, in hospital or abroad or else gives clues about employment patterns (eg. shift work)
What does the offence suggest about the offender’s state of mind? (growing caution, increased appetite).
The signature is a special weapon or ritualistic fantasy by which the offender identifies himself, often to taunt the police
Is there a history of minor offending (indecent exposure, theft) escalating up to the murder?
Offenders’ fantasies may have been acted out in previous relationships

12. Creating A Profile 3 The site
Most offenders act within a small radius of their home (“marauders”)
Some are “commuters”
Were restraints used?
The crime site can indicate opportunism or else precise targeting
Serial killers often ensure the bodies can be found
(police/media response is as important to them as the crime itself)

13. Creating A Profile 4 Victimology
Needs to compile a complete history of the victim
Clues as to why this victim was selected
Predict potential victims in future
Injuries on the victim can suggest things about the offender: the type of weapon used
(anything to hand for impulsive attacks, special “murder kits” for premeditated ones)
Was the offender known to the victim?
Did the offender stalk and target the victim in advance?
Trophies: Offenders may take items from the victim or take photographs/videos
Offenders who feel invulnerable may keep a diary of their crimes

14. Ted Bundy preyed on girls who reminded him of his college sweetheart
Creating A Profile 5
Ted Bundy preyed on girls who reminded him of his college sweetheart
Interaction style
This evidence is normally only available when victims survive
“Behavioural scripting” – the attacker acts out a role and forces the victim to play along
“Pseudo-relationships” – attacker pretends to be a friend or family member
“Anonymity” - victims seen as objects or else fear of recognition
Sexual dysfunction (eg. impotence) or paraphilias (eg. fetishism, paedophilia, etc.)

15. Theories of Profiling 1 Two main psychological ideas: BEHAVIOURISM
Criminal behaviour is learned, like any other
Crimes can tell us about the environment an offender comes from
Behaviour tends to be consistent
May be spouses, co-workers, family, etc treated similarly
Ivan Pavlov – classical conditioning
BF Skinner – operant conditioning

16. Freud – the Unconscious
Theories of Profiling 2
(2) UNCONSCIOUS MOTIVATION
Based on Freudian (psychodynamic) ideas
Over-developed super-ego – seeks out punishment
“Issues” with parents – displaced or projected onto victims
Idea that motivation behind attacks is consistent, even if behaviour changes
Freud – the Unconscious

17. FBI Profiling 1 Follows MOTIVATIONAL approach
Categorise offences according to motivational TYPE
This is a TOP-DOWN procedure
FBI Agent Robert Ressler coined the term “serial killer”
Interviewed 36 imprisoned killers in the ’80s
Ressler created the Crime Classification Manual for the FBI (1992)

18. Two main Typologies
Behavioural ‘fingerprint’ ~ two distinct forms (Ressler et al 1986)
Organised
Disorganised

19. Organised vs Disorganised Crime Scenes
Widely accepted as a tool to aid profiling
One of the most widely cited classifications of violent, serial offenders
Organised
Disorganised
Planned offence
Controlled conversation
Scene reflects control
Demands a submissive victim
Restraints used
Aggressive prior to death
Body hidden
Weapon / evidence absent
Transports victim
Spontaneous offence
Minimal conversation
Scene is random / sloppy
Sudden violence to victim
Minimal use of restraints
Sex after death
Body left in view
Weapon / evidence in view
Body left at the scene
Burgess et al. 1986

20. Task….
Based on the Organised / disorganised crime scene tool, can you consider what characteristics / behaviours of the offender could be assigned to the 2 typologies?
On the A3 paper, in groups, develop some ideas

21. Organised vs Disorganised Characteristics
High intelligence
Socially adequate
Sexually competent
Lives with father
Younger siblings
Harsh discipline
Controlled mood
Masculine image
Charming
Geographically mobile
Occupationally mobile
Follows media
Model prisoner
Below average intelligence
Socially inadequate
Unskilled occupation
Possibly youngest child
Harsh / inconsistent discipline
Fathers work unstable
Anxious mood during crime
Lives alone
Lives / works near crime scene
Minimal interest in the media
Significant behavioural change
Nocturnal habits
Poor personal hygiene
Secret hiding places
Burgess et al. 1986

22. Task... Looking beyond the obvious
Read the crime scene handout and look at the picture
From the information, consider:
What type of crime scene is this?
What characteristics / behaviours exhibited led you to this decision?
Based on your ideas, what type of offender could be our potential suspect?
What characteristics could you suggest to be included into a profile?

23. Crime Scene details...
The victim was a Caucasian female aged 28 years. She was found partially clothed on the floor of the living area. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. There was one large, deep impact area on the rear of the skull and multiple impacts to the forehead, face and shoulders. There were large patches of blood on the sofa and on the floor beneath the victim and extensive blood spatter on the walls and ceiling in the vicinity of the victim. There were smaller patches and smears of blood between the sofa and the front door, on the armchair and outside the front door. A lampshade and base were found on the floor of the living area The contents of the flat did not appear to have been disturbed. The patio doors at the rear were open and the lock showed signs of having been forced. The front door was pushed to but not fully shut or locked.

25. Summary Profiling can ASSIST police Not to lead an investigation
Profile report must be clear for interpretation
Many different behaviours are exhibited at a crime scene
These behaviours can help us determine what type of offender may have committed the crime

26. Key Study….
Canter et al ~ Investigation of the organised / disorganised theory of serial murder
Aim ~ test the reliability of the 2 typologies
Method ~ content analysis of 100 cases using Douglas et al(1992) Crime Classification Manual
Read the previous research conducted by Hazelwood & Douglas
Look through the results and conclusions
Q1 ~ Why does Canter (1994) criticise the technique used in the American approach?
Q2 ~ Why were the samples of serious offenders interviewed a problem?
Q3 ~ How is Canters’ test different from the original methods by Hazelwood and Douglas?

27. Homework Read over the Top Down approach Complete questions
Keep an eye on the news!