1. Forensic Psychology
How do forensic psychologists work with law enforcement to develop criminal profiles?
Forensic Psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system.

2. What is criminal profiling?
Construction of a psychological, behavioral and demographic profile of the type of person likely to have committed the crime
Usually applied to serial crimes (serial murders, serial rapes…)

3. The 3 Main Goals of Profiling
1. To provide a social and psychological assessment of the offender.
2. To provide interview suggestions and strategies.
3. Narrow down an investigation to those suspects who possess certain behavioral and/or personality features revealed by the way a crime was committed.
Profilers do not solve crimes.

4. Terminology Modus Operandi – Involves how the crime was committed
Signature - something done to fulfill or satisfy the offenders emotional state
Is an aspect of a crime that is unique to the perpetrator

5. Stages of the Profiling Process
1. Input: Collecting info about the crime.
2. Decision process models: Data is organized and classified. Determine motives. Victimology.
3. Crime assessment: Crime reconstruction. MO and Signature.
4. Criminal profile: Describing the suspect.
5. Investigation: Report is given to investigators.
6. Apprehension (hopefully)
The logic is that the way a person thinks guides his or her behavior.

6. Profiling: Looking for Clues
Location: Indoor, outdoor, vehicle, underwater etc. - who frequents the location, how can it be reached, what normal activities, why there etc?
Victimology: Study of the relationship between offender and victim.
Crime Scene type: point of contact & primary, secondary, intermediate & victim disposal sites
Method of approach: Surprise, con or blitz
Method of attack: initial means for overpowering a victim.
Method of control: control force; verbal or non- verbalized threats [includes sexual threats] - the amount of force used can help determine the offenders needs & motives.

7. First documented case
New York City 1950’s
“Mad Bomber”
George Metesky
Psychiatrist James Brussell constructs a profile:
White male, 40’s - 50’s
Lives with aunt or sister
Hates father, loves mother
Will wear double-breasted suit when apprehended

8. “Father of profiling” John Douglas
25 years with the FBI, Investigative Support Unit
Developed profiling techniques now taught in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit
Consulted on Atlanta child murders, Green River killer, Unabomber

9. What to look for State of the crime scene
Gives clues about the type of offender
Age
Race
Motive

10. Serial Killers

11. Definition of a Serial Killer
Murder of three or more persons
Involves a distinctive “cooling off” period
Can be days to months to years
Differs from Mass Murder (3+ persons killed together) & Spree Killing (3+ persons killed in short period of time at different locations)

12. Multiple Offender Terms
Mass Murderer – 4 or more victims, James Huberty – 21 killed in a McDonalds in San Ysidro, CA, 7/18/84. Made no attempt to hide. Death by police/suicide.
Spree Killer – 2 or more victims, Andrew Cunanan – 5 murdered from CA to FL. 4/27-7/15/1997, committed suicide 7/23/97
Serial Killer – 3 or more victims Dr. Harold Shipman, one of the most prolific serial killers of modern times, with up to 260 believed victims (usually older women in a hospital setting),

13. Typical serial killer White male Late 20’s to early 30’s
Kills within his own race
Method of murder is “hands on” (strangulation or stabbing)
Victims selected because they share specific characteristics (for example, Ted Bundy chose young women with long hair, parted in the middle)

14. Current Statistics The USA has 76% of the world’s serial killers.
83% of American killers are Caucasian.
Only 15% are African American.
Men make up at least 90% of the world wide total of serial killers.
65% of victims are female.
89% of victims are white.
44% of all killers start in their twenties,26% start in their teens, 24% start in their thirties.
Out of all known and captured killers, 86% are heterosexual. These statistics do not reflect bi-sexuality.

15. Common Traits of Serial Killers: the so-called “Homicidal Triangle” or “Triad of Behavior”
1. Bed-wetting: 60% past age 12
2. Fire Setting: Fondness for spectacular destruction
3. Animal Abuse: Tormenting of animals long before people become their targets…

16. Organized vs. Disorganized
Organized crime scene:
Body is hidden
Weapon is removed from scene
Appears to be well-planned
The victim is specifically targeted
Restraints often used
Aggression takes place before death

17. Organized vs. Disorganized
Body not hidden
Weapon is present
Appears to be spontaneous
Victim may be an acquaintance
Aggression or sex post-mortem

18. What does it all mean? Organized crime scene suggests an offender:
Average or above average IQ
Employed, usually quite skilled
Socially competent
Uses alcohol in commission of crime
Uses car to drive to crime scene/hunt for victim
Obsessed with media coverage of his crimes

19. What does it all mean? Disorganized crime scene suggests an offender:
Below average IQ
Unstable employment record, unskilled
Socially isolated
Lives close to crime scene
Strict discipline as a child
Extremely anxious

20. Profiling a Serial Killer: “The Trailside Killer”
San Francisco Mount Tamalpais August 1979
Edda Kane (44 years) found dead
Facedown, kneeling position
Single gunshot to back of head
No evidence of sexual assault
No robbery

21. Trailside Killer March 1980 October 1980 Barbara Schwartz (23 years)
Stabbed in chest
Naked, kneeling position
October 1980
Anne Alderson (26 years)
Shot 3 times
Raped and redressed

22. Trailside Killer November 1980 Point Reyes Park
Diane O’Connel (22) and Shauna May (23)
O’Connel was raped, strangled, and shot
May was shot and possible sexual assult
Both found in a shallow grave

23. Trailside Killer March 1981 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Ellen Marie Hansen (20) & Steven Haertle
Threatened to rape Ellen, shot & killed her when she protested
Steven was shot but survived
Able to give a description

24. Trailside Killer May 1981 Big Basin Redwood State Park
Heather Scaggs (20)
Last seen going to test drive a car she was buying from a co-worker
Found naked in a shallow grave
Raped and shot

27. Trailside Killer: Constructing a profile (John Douglas)
Crime scenes in secluded areas only accessible by foot:
Killer was comfortable in area, a local
Victims attacked from rear in blitz-style attack:
Killer was asocial, not able to charm victims with conversation. Blitz-style attack was the only way he could control victims

28. Trailside Killer: Constructing a profile
Victims ranged in ages and appearance:
Killer didn’t know victims. He is acting out a fantasy
Victims were white:
Killer is white
Able to evade police:
Low to mid 30’s
Probably spent time in jail, possibly attempted rape
Blue-collar work

29. Trailside Killer: Constructing a profile
Intelligent but has a menial job (blue collar)
Not random act - precipitating stressor
History of bed-wetting, fire-starting and/or cruelty to animals (as a child)
Secluded, didn’t want to be seen
Relied on over-powering victim
Indicates a disability, but unlikely physical because was able to control victim
SPEECH IMPEDIMENT

30. Trailside Killer Caught
David Carpenter
White male, 50 (*profile of age incorrect)
Photo print shop worker
History of attacking women and served jail time
Domineering and abusive mother
Bed-wetting & cruelty to animals as a child
SEVERE STUTTER