Investigative Psychology: Profiling

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Investigative Psychology Profiling

• Ciarán OKeeffe
• Office GLA014, Telephone ext. 3639
• Office Hours Monday 1-2, Thursday 1-2

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Investigative Psychology

• Inquiry into areas of psychological assistance to
  criminal investigations
• A behavioural science approach to criminal cases
  which looks at cognitive processes social
  psychological theory.

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Investigative Psychology

• David Canters Investigative Psychology
• Distinct from FBI approach to Profiling
• Labelled as a branch of Applied Psychology
• Historical origin - Environmental Psychology
• Duffy Railway Case
• Use of multidimensional statistics

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Investigative Psychology

• What is IP approach?
• Understand
• Type of crime in which any particular individual
  will be likely to become involved
• Way in which crime will be carried out
• Offending behaviour mirrors everyday behaviour
• Criminals actions reveal something about
  background

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Criminal Characteristics Behaviour
Criminal Characteristics
Crime Scene Actions
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Criminal Characteristics Behaviour

• Living alone
• Average IQ

• Weapon present
• Minimal use of restraints

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Statistical/Actuarial Approach

• Greater emphasis on need for a research base
• Statistical approach to relationship
• Crime Scene Evidence Offender Characteristics
• Rejection of clinical intuition
• Willingness to encompass a greater range of
  crimes
• NB. House (1997), Salfati Canter (1998)

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Investigative Psychology

• Important characteristics which IP believes can
  help in investigations
• Residential location
• Criminal biography
• Domestic/social characteristics
• Personal characteristics
• Occupational/educational history

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Investigative Psychology

• Canter Heritage (1990)
• Analysed details of sexual assaults
• Attempt to identify particular styles patterns
• Identify those that were common
• Identify those that were distinctive (rarer)
• Categorise offender/offence
• Interaction between offender victim
• Sexuality
• Violence aggression
• Impersonal sexual gratification
• Interpersonal intimacy criminality

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Investigative Psychology

• Canter Heritage (1990)
• Analysed 66 sexual assault cases (committed by 27
  offenders)
• Studied victims statements other info (case
  files, crime scene reports)
• Identified 33 offence characteristics which
  appeared to occur with some frequency

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Common Characteristics

• Style of approach
• Surprise attack
• Sudden use of violence
• Blindfolding
• Gagging
• Reaction to resistance
• Compliments victim
• Enquiries about victim
• Impersonal towards victim
• Demeaning towards victim
• Disturbing of victims clothing
• Ripping of clothing

• Use of weapon
• Demanded items
• Verbal victim participation
• Physical victim participation
• Use of disguise
• Knowledge of victim implied
• Threatened if attack reported
• Stealing property
• Violence to produce control
• Etc.

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Investigative Psychology

• Inquiry into areas of psychological assistance to
  criminal investigations
• A behavioural science approach to criminal cases
  which looks at cognitive processes social
  psychological theory.