Forensic Psychology Profiling and Victimology

Catching Serial Killers Difficult to catch because they easily blend back into society after they kill. Difficult to catch because they easily blend back into society after they kill. EX: BTK Killer EX: BTK Killer Dennis Rader Dennis Rader Married 34 years. Married 34 years. 2 grown children. 2 grown children. Worked as a code enforcer. Worked as a code enforcer. Cub Scout leader, active in church. Cub Scout leader, active in church.

Criminal Profiling Examines modus operandi & victim type. Examines modus operandi & victim type. Tries to determine the types of personality characteristics the killer possesses. Tries to determine the types of personality characteristics the killer possesses. Helps to reduce population from which the killer is among. Helps to reduce population from which the killer is among. Increases the likelihood of catching. Increases the likelihood of catching.

Beginning of Profiling 1888, London – Jack the Ripper 1888, London – Jack the Ripper 5 prostitutes murdered & disemboweled. 5 prostitutes murdered & disemboweled. Several suspects were interviewed but no arrests ever made Several suspects were interviewed but no arrests ever made Dr. Thomas Bond (surgeon) Dr. Thomas Bond (surgeon) Performed autopsy on #5. Offered “thoughts”: Performed autopsy on #5. Offered “thoughts”: Anger/Hatred towards women. Anger/Hatred towards women. Acts were most likely sexual in nature Acts were most likely sexual in nature “Strong, cool, & daring” – murders in open “Strong, cool, & daring” – murders in open Must wear a cloak to hide blood stains. Must wear a cloak to hide blood stains. Quiet, middle aged, loner, no real job. Quiet, middle aged, loner, no real job. Cuts were surgical – perhaps doctor or surgeon Cuts were surgical – perhaps doctor or surgeon

Psychiatric Approach to Profiling Karl Berg questioned Peter Kurten (German serial killer in prison 1930). Karl Berg questioned Peter Kurten (German serial killer in prison 1930). Centered on neurological problems that created behaviors. Centered on neurological problems that created behaviors. James Melvin Reinhardt published interviews with Charles Starkweather 1960). James Melvin Reinhardt published interviews with Charles Starkweather 1960). Inspiration for movie “Natural Born Killers” Inspiration for movie “Natural Born Killers” Detailed analyses to help understand crimes. Detailed analyses to help understand crimes. Not yet behavioral profile. Not yet behavioral profile. Lead to structure & ideas of profiling today. Lead to structure & ideas of profiling today.

FBI Behavior Science Unit Now Investigative Support Unit Created due to increase in # of murders during 60’s and 70’s Created due to increase in # of murders during 60’s and 70’s Developed methods for analyzing unknown offenders in unsolved cases. Developed methods for analyzing unknown offenders in unsolved cases. Used crime scenes to look for personality traits & mental disorder. Used crime scenes to look for personality traits & mental disorder.

Profiling Today More “art” than science. More “art” than science. Based upon patterns of past cases, analyzed data, and law enforcement experience Based upon patterns of past cases, analyzed data, and law enforcement experience Assumes human pattern is common. Assumes human pattern is common. Examine: Examine: Crime scene, weapon, dump site, details about the victim (victimology), transportation, time of day, position of items in crime scene. Crime scene, weapon, dump site, details about the victim (victimology), transportation, time of day, position of items in crime scene.

Profiles Include: Include: Age range Age range Ethnicity Ethnicity Modus operandi Modus operandi Living situation Living situation Education level Education level Criminal & Psychiatric records Criminal & Psychiatric records Psychological traits Psychological traits Area of residence Area of residence

Victimology Learn as much as possible about the victim (hours/days before murder). Learn as much as possible about the victim (hours/days before murder). Map movements. Map movements. Examine personal communications. Examine personal communications. State of mind & mental health. State of mind & mental health. Risk level (prostitute vs. girl in home). Risk level (prostitute vs. girl in home). Establish when the killer crossed paths. Establish when the killer crossed paths.

Famous 1 st Case Dr. James Brussel Dr. James Brussel The Mad Bomber – NYC The Mad Bomber – NYC Lots of explosions in 1940’s-50’s. Lots of explosions in 1940’s-50’s. Sent many angry letters to newspapers, politicians, & utility company. Sent many angry letters to newspapers, politicians, & utility company. Dr. Brussel examined & offered thoughts: Dr. Brussel examined & offered thoughts: Sex, ethnicity, motivation, age, personal appearance, mental status, living arrangement, religion, & employment. Sex, ethnicity, motivation, age, personal appearance, mental status, living arrangement, religion, & employment.

Mad Bomber Profile Male Male Grudge against Con Edison Utility. Grudge against Con Edison Utility. Paranoid. Paranoid. Middle aged (50). Middle aged (50). Had been bombing for 16 years! Had been bombing for 16 years! Neat & meticulous Neat & meticulous Wear double-breasted suits. Wear double-breasted suits. Overly sensitive to criticism. Overly sensitive to criticism. Foreign or spent time with foreign people. Foreign or spent time with foreign people. “The Con Edison”. Slav & Roman Catholic. Slav & Roman Catholic. Bombs as weapons. High School, no college. High School, no college. Lived in CT. Lived in CT. Mail & Slav communities. Oedipal Complex Oedipal Complex Unmarried, female relative.

The Mad Bomber George Metesky Middle aged Male. Middle aged Male. Slavic. Slavic. Lived with 2 unmarried sisters in CT. Lived with 2 unmarried sisters in CT. Neighbors called it the “Crazy House”. Neighbors called it the “Crazy House”. Unemployed, trips to NYC for church. Unemployed, trips to NYC for church. Former Con Edison employee. Former Con Edison employee. When arrested, changed into a double breasted suit! When arrested, changed into a double breasted suit!