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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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!!!

15. 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

16. 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?

17. 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

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