Forensic Psychology Meets Law Enforcement Behavioral Profiling Forensic Psychology Meets Law Enforcement Video One Video Two

What is profiling? Conducting a psychological, behavioral, and demographic description of the type of person whom most likely committed a crime. Usually applied to Serial Crimes (spree of murders, rapes, and burglaries) Forensic Psychology: Use psychology within the criminal justice system Assess offenders' state of mind and their risk of re-offending Assess competency of individuals to stand trial Provide testimony in court Evaluate child custody decisions in divorce

What is profiling? Criminal profilers study evidence collected and analyzed by crime-scene investigators to formulate a hypothesis about a perpetrator’s: Age Personality Lifestyle Social environment

History of profiling Profiling has been in existence for more than 150 years Cesare Lobroso, The Criminal Man (1876) Criminals share similar physical characteristics Large jaw and cheekbones, large lips, long arms, and abnormal ear size Mad Bomber Case (1940, New York) James Brussel, psychiatrist – conducts first criminal profile Help police to narrow the search and was apprehended within three weeks John Douglas Father of Modern Profiling 25 years in the FBI Created the teaching techniques used in training FBI trainees Helped bridge the gap between forensic psychology and law enforcement

Elements of profiling Signature: Modus Operandi: Something done that fulfills or satisfies the offenders emotional state Killing style Particular behavioral activity Modus Operandi: The actions used by the criminal to commit the crime Can be used to identify links between two crimes A signature can be a modus operandi but a modus operandi cannot be a signature

Stages of Profiling 1. Input 2. Decision process models 3. Crime assessment 4. Criminal profile 5. Investigation and Apprehension

1. Input Collecting Evidence Placement of the victim and weapon Body position Blood splatter Condition of surroundings History of the Victim (more about the “victomology” later) Employment and reputation Social habits Hobbies and interests Autopsy Report

2. Decision Process models Classifying the Crime Determining Motives, why???? Risk level of the victim. Victims Locations Events Cooling-off Period Single Homicide 1 Does not apply Double Homicide 2 Triple Homicide 3 Mass Murder 4 or more Killing Spree 2 or more None Serial Murders 3 or more Day, week, months

3. Crime Assessment Motivation behind the crime Premeditated or Planned? Impulsive or no plan? Organized vs. Disorganized Organized Disorganized Intelligent Below average IQ Socially skilled Socially & Sexually immature Sexually competent High school failure Lives with partner Unemployed or low paying job Usually targets strangers Lives alone Antisocial personality Nocturnal Harsh childhood discipline Lives/works near crime

4. Criminal Profile A typical profile includes estimates of: Race Sex Physical Characteristics Habits Values and Beliefs Compare the profile with the Decision Process Models and reconstruction of the crime scene.

5. Investigation & Apprehension Begins after profiler submits written report Seek and evaluate suspects that match the profile Interview Interrogate Arrest

Victimology A victim is a person who has experienced harm, injuries, loss, or death Victimolgy is the study of victims whom have been affected by crime, accidents, or natural disasters. Victim Risk Risk Level Explanation Low-Risk Victim The lifestyle and social environment of the individual does not predispose him or her to being a victim of a crime. Medium-Risk Victim The lifestyle and social environment of the individual can increase his or her risk of being a victim of a crime. High-Risk Victim The lifestyle and social environment of the individual often puts him or her at risk of becoming the victim of a crime.

Victimology All risks are considered from the perspective of the victim’s age, job, and criminal background Aggressive nature Impulsive Anxious Passive Thrives on attention Self-inflicted injuries Poor-self image Negative Exhibits addictive behaviors

Victimology 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? 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? Create a timeline!!!

What does the crime scene tell us? Organized Crime Scene: Body is hidden Weapon is removed from the scene Appears to be well-planned The victim is specifically targeted Restraints often used Aggression happens before death Disorganized Crime Scene: Body not hidden Weapon is present Appears to be spontaneous Victim may be acquaintance Aggression or sex post-mortem

Your turn to Profile Mary Smith was found brutally murdered. Her body was found in a remote area of the woods that is only accessible on foot, about a mile from the local beet farm. Her cause of death was blunt force trauma to the back of her head. There were signs of post-mortem sexually assault. Who is her killer? Did Mary know her killer? Why or why not? Where does the killer live/work? How do you know? What type of job does the killer have?

Suspects Bill Don Ridley Middleton Carson Smuthers Principal at a local high school Was having an affair with Mary Parents are prominent socialites in the community Recently suspended from his job for yelling at teachers Ridley Middleton Traveling Salesman (lives outside the state) Known as the local ladies man Has a history of drunk and disorderly conduct Unknown if he knew the victim Carson Smuthers A workhand at the local beet farm Did not know the victim Lives at the farm (two miles from the body) Been known to stay up late at night

Explain characteristics of a crime: Your Turn… Explain characteristics of a crime: Crime Scene Victimology Signature/M.O. Possibilities Three or more potential suspects