Internationally known in 1986 for the ‘offender profile’ that helped police to catch ‘ Railway Rapist’ John Duffy. This was the first time such help had been given by a professor of psychology. It was also the first time that ‘offender profiling’ was used by the UK police.

Also known as criminal profiling is a behavioural tool intended to help profile unknown criminal subjects or offenders. In David Canter’s journal he discusses what can distinguish between an organised offender and disorganised offender at the early stages of the crime scene. Something that is drawn from offender profiling is ORGANISED and DISORGANISED offending

Will get rid of the body. In general organised offenders are thought to kill after some sort of stress, such as; financial worries, relationship stress (we all know what that's like personally I would go out to kill my other half and not an innocent, each for their own?) and employment issues. Their actions are thought to reflect a level of planning and control. The crime scene will then reflect a level of planning and control. This is a consequence of him being socially skilled and adept with handling interpersonal situations They are more likely to use a verbal approach with victims prior to violence, all these aspects of murder are reflected at crime scene. Is said to lead an orderly life which is reflected in the way the offender commits the crime. Claimed to be of average – high intelligence. Socially competent. Most likely to have skilled employment. Offences will be planned. Restraints are used on the victim Will have certain weapon in mind take it to the scene of crime and leave with it. little evidence will be left at scene, such as finger print, blood stains etc.

Unlike organised killers wont have skilled employment. Thought that disorganised offenders kill opportunistically. He or she will live in close proximity to crime scene. Which suggests lack of planning before, during and after. The crime will be reflected in the spontaneous style of the offence and the chaotic state of the crime scene. This shows the offenders lack of social skills and inability to maintain interpersonal relationships. This lack of normal, healthy relationships leads to potential sexual perversions or dysfunctional as part of the homicidal act. Leave the scene with a sense of disorder. This suggests little if no pre- planning Things such as blood, fingerprints and the murder weapon is often left or displayed in open view at scene of crime. Minimal use of restraints ( suggests surprise attack therefore the victim unplanned.) Body is often left or displayed in view. Thought to be socially incompetent. Under average intelligence.

A third category was introduced by Douglas et al, called the mixed offenders. This suggests the offenders that cant be easily categorised into one or the other are multifarious. The attack may involve more than one offender. Unanticipated acts may have occurred that the offender had not planned for, such as the victim resisting. The crime scene may be in disarray and there will be a great deal of manual violence committed against the victim. The offenders may be young or involved in drugs or alcohol.

John Duffy and his accomplice David Mulcahy are two British rapist and serial killers who together attacked numerous women at railway stations in the 1980’s. In 1982 a woman was raped by two men near Hampstead Heath station, another 18 were raped that year also. John Duffy was questioned as he was on the sex offenders list for rapping his wife. A piece of rope found in his house linked him to the second rape. Mulcahy was also questioned but through lack of evidence was let go. These were the FIRST attacks. In 1985, Alison Day was dragged of a train at Hackney Wick station and raped numerous amount of times. She was then strangled and murdered. The media had named the attacker the ‘Railway Rapist’ this was then changed to the ‘Railway Killer’. This tag reinforced the rape and murder of a 15 year old girl. Her body was set on fire. A month later a local TV presenter was taking from Brookmans Park where she had just dismounted a train she was rapped and murdered. This is when David Canter gave his help to the police to find the killers. David Canter used criminal profiling to build up a personality, traits and habits. While this continued another attack on a 14 year old girl occurred in a park. Duffy was reported following a lady and arrested he was questioned about the previous attacks and found guilty for them all the police knew he hadn’t acted alone but Duffy would not give his accomplice up. In 1997 Duffy gave up his accomplice.