Title: Introduction to Forensic Psychology
1Introduction toForensic Psychology
2Investigative Psychology
- DEFINITION The application of psychology to
criminal investigation. - Profilingone of the tasks often associated with
investigative psychologyrequires sketching the
significant psychological and demographic
features of a person or persons. - Broadly defined, investigative psychology
includes research and practice involving - -Profiling -Risk Assessment
- -Police Line-ups -Interrogation
- -Polygraph -Other?
- - Hypnosis
3CRIMINAL PROFILING Background
4What is Criminal Profiling?
- Criminal profiling is the process of identifying
personality traits, behavioral tendencies,
geographical location, and demographic or
biographical descriptors of an offender (or
offenders) based on crime scene characteristics.
5Goals of Profiling
- The primary goal of profiling is to narrow the
field of possible suspects. - Profiling is also a form of prediction -- the
profiler tries to predict who the offender or
offenders might be and where and how the next
crime may occur.
6Why Use Criminal Profiles in Law Enforcement?
- Traditional investigative techniques often fall
short in extreme cases. - A subset of offenses/offenders are considered
most suitable for profiling -- What subset of
offenders and why more suitable for profiling??
7Brief History of Criminal Profiling
- 1940s - First recorded use by psychiatrist Walter
Langer during WWII commissioned to construct a
psychodynamic profile of Hitler. - 1957 - psychiatrist James Brussels worked with
NYPD to construct a profile of the Mad Bomber. - 1970s-1980s - FBI (Howard Teten, John Douglas,
Robert Ressler, Roy Hazelwood, and others) became
involved in psychological profiling and
popularized the technique. - 1990s 2003 - attempt (by David Canter, Maurice
Godwin, Ron Holmes, Robert Keppel, Brent Turvey,
Kim Rossmo and others) to scientize profiling and
move the practice beyond the purview of the FBI.
8The FBI Profilers
- Small/prominent group of FBI profilers helped to
popularize the term in 1970s in the Behavioral
Science Unit -- called the National Center for
the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) since 1984. - Responsible for establishing the Violent Criminal
Apprehension Program (VICAP). Published Crime
Classification Manual, Sexual Homicide Patterns
and Motives and true crime novels. - Are known for the ORGANIZED/DISORGANIZED typology
and focus on M.O. and SIGNATURE. - Criticized for relying too much on
intuition/faulty use of the scientific method.
9Is Profiling a Science or Profession?
- Profiling has not yet achieved the status of a
profession. Factors hindering professionalization
- Lack of consensus (on terms, approaches,
training, appropriate experience/educational
background, etc.). - Practical issues (sensitivity and confidentiality
of cases). - Ego/territorial issues.
- Absence of uniform standards, practices, peer
review, and ethics. - Small number (if any) of profiling positions
where profiling is the primary job description. - The notion (and acknowledgement among many
profilers) that profiling is more art than
science.
10Assumptions Made in the Profiling ProcessSee
Holmes Holmes (2001). Profiling Violent Crimes.
Sage.
- Crime scene reflects the personality of the
offender. - M.O. remains similar.
- Signature will remain the same.
- Offenders personality will not change.
11The Organized-Disorganized Typology
- Whether or not the crime scene is left ORGANIZED
or DISORGANIZED is said to provide information
about the offenders criminal sophistication and
personality. - Organized crime scene reflects offender who
commits crime out of a need for power. Motivation
associated with PSYCHOPATHY. - Disorganized crime scene reflects offender who
commits crime out of passion, compulsion,
frustration, or anxiety. Motivation associated
with PSYCHOSIS.
12The Organized Crime Scene See Ressler, Burgess,
Douglas (1992) Sexual Homicide Patterns and
Motives. Free Press.
- Offense planned
- Victim a targeted stranger
- Victim personalized
- Controlled conversation
- Crime scene reflects overall control
- Demands submissive victim
- Restraints used
- Aggressive acts prior to death
- Body hidden
- Weapon/evidence absent
- victim or body transported from scene
- Associated with psychopathy
13The Disorganized Crime Scene See Ressler,
Burgess, Douglas (1992) Sexual Homicide
Patterns and Motives.
- Spontaneous offense
- Victim or location known
- Depersonalizes victim
- Minimal conversation
- Crime scene random and sloppy
- Sudden violence to victim
- Minimal use of restraints
- Sexual acts after death
- Body left in view
- Evidence/weapon often present
- Body left at death scene
- Associated with Psychosis
14Interview/Interrogation StrategiesSee Holmes
Holmes (1996) Profiling Violent Crimes. Sage.
- ORGANIZED
- Direct confrontation
- Respects competency
- One-person interview
- Dont expect free information
- No use of false evidence (are too sharp for
this) - Conduct when suspect has no time to gather
thoughts
- DISORGANIZED
- Relationship motivated
- Empathy
- Constant stream of conversation
- Use positive personal relationship
- Conduct at night