Notes
The Scientific Method- Observing things in a systematic way
1. Bring in independent observers
2. Ensure everything that can be controlled in situation is
3. Run many trials
4. Use statistical techniques to test predictions about what is being studied, share publicly so other researchers can analyze and comment
Drawbacks- can be expensive and time consuming
Yet if it can help determine the reality of when to send people to prison, is worth it.
Criminal Profiling
Using details about the crime to come up with information about the victim to draw up a profile of characteristics, typically used in serious crimes or when it is difficult to identify offender.
Washington Snipers case- Between 2nd and 22nd of October 2002, 10 people murdered, 3 injured in Maryland, Virginia and DC. All victims shot at a distance, with single rifle shot and each time killers disappeared in confusion that resulted. Seemed to be random shootings, not much for investigators to go on, commentators with experience have quotes shared in media, both suggesting this was done by a single person, also says it is likely shooter is a white man and will most likely stay in metropolitan area, many have different opinions in regards to where they live, if it is solely one person, etc.
Those who were caught and convicted of the crimes: John Muhammad, 41 year old Gulf War veteran and John Lee Malvo, 17 year old immigrant from Jamaica.
A few different methods:
FBI's Criminal Investigative Analysis- Aims to identify major personality and behavior characteristics of an offender, How might these characteristics differ from general population?, Look at if offender is organized or disorganized.
Organized Offender VS Disorganized Offender (More likely to.....)
Orderly life Lives alone, near scene
Avg to high intelligence Unskilled employment
Skilled employment Little preparation
Plans offenses Leaves weapon
Conceals evid. Limited attempt to conceal
Offender can be a mix of both, their plan may not go as accordingly, could surprise offender to make some elements look disorganized
need to look at every aspect of crime, all available forensic info, is there anything specific (a signature) that could identify a characteristic or be linked to another crime
Get details to determine WHAT, then look for crime motivation the WHY, before moving to the WHO
Investigative Psychology Approach (David Cantor- psychologist)
Analyzing crime scene is similar to FBI's approach, aim is the same except this method focuses more on offenders likely motivation
This method attempts to identify characteristics by analyzing behavior in a way that is independent of underpinning psychological mechanisms.
Not focused on the why instead the characteristics of offender during crime
Analyzes large amount of data at one time instead of FBI case by case approach
Used this approach in 1999 when safari & canter looked at 82 british cases of single perpetrator single-victim homicide crimes which had been solved. Coded information : Actions by offender on victim, descriptions of behavior, characteristics of offender and victim
Then got rid of variables that occurred in more than 90% of crimes or less than 10% (seen as too common or too rare)
This then helped to find consistencies within the crimes - body was typically facing downwards if property of value had been taken from the scene
Were able to identify 3 crime scene themes reflecting the role of aggression
1. Expressive (impulsive) where underlying aim of aggression seems to be to hurt the victim- will be left with stab wounds or other types of wounds, likely to have committed prior violent or sexual offenses
2. Instrumental (opportunistic)
3. Instrumental (cognitive) where murder is a byproduct of other more dominant motives such as desire for objects - may try to hide body or dispose of it
David Cantor suggests the way we interact with one another is so ingrained in our lives and so well rehearsed that it influences all interactions with others- including their interaction with their victim
has a five factor model - Criminal Characteristics (Idea characteristics can be matched to similar crime types), Interpersonal Coherence, Criminal Career, Offenders Forensic Awareness (Idea offenders will behave relatively consistently in committing their crimes and any previous offenses will resemble the current one), Time and Space is vital because crime scenes are rarely random, offenders select time and place for a reason
If offender is engaging in an offense where he needs to feel in control, is likely to do this in a place that is familiar, or close to home
Geographical Profiling
Importance on time and space
To tell you where offender is likely to be based- help with search areas and seek to find areas offenders are familiar with
Usually a reason people commit crime in certain area
Least effort principle- if there are 2 identically attractive options, offender will choose one closest to them
Distance Decay- idea that crimes will decrease in frequency as offender travels farther from home
Both principles are an oversimplification
Marauder- someone who uses their home as a location base, can draw circle around 2 offenses and find home area, Canter and Larkin in 1993 analysis said 87% of offenders were maraduers
Commuter- when someone travels to a different area
Diagnostic Evaluation
Crime Action Profiling
The Scientific Method- Observing things in a systematic way
1. Bring in independent observers
2. Ensure everything that can be controlled in situation is
3. Run many trials
4. Use statistical techniques to test predictions about what is being studied, share publicly so other researchers can analyze and comment
Drawbacks- can be expensive and time consuming
Yet if it can help determine the reality of when to send people to prison, is worth it.
Criminal Profiling
Using details about the crime to come up with information about the victim to draw up a profile of characteristics, typically used in serious crimes or when it is difficult to identify offender.
Washington Snipers case- Between 2nd and 22nd of October 2002, 10 people murdered, 3 injured in Maryland, Virginia and DC. All victims shot at a distance, with single rifle shot and each time killers disappeared in confusion that resulted. Seemed to be random shootings, not much for investigators to go on, commentators with experience have quotes shared in media, both suggesting this was done by a single person, also says it is likely shooter is a white man and will most likely stay in metropolitan area, many have different opinions in regards to where they live, if it is solely one person, etc.
Those who were caught and convicted of the crimes: John Muhammad, 41 year old Gulf War veteran and John Lee Malvo, 17 year old immigrant from Jamaica.
A few different methods:
FBI's Criminal Investigative Analysis- Aims to identify major personality and behavior characteristics of an offender, How might these characteristics differ from general population?, Look at if offender is organized or disorganized.
Organized Offender VS Disorganized Offender (More likely to.....)
Orderly life Lives alone, near scene
Avg to high intelligence Unskilled employment
Skilled employment Little preparation
Plans offenses Leaves weapon
Conceals evid. Limited attempt to conceal
Offender can be a mix of both, their plan may not go as accordingly, could surprise offender to make some elements look disorganized
need to look at every aspect of crime, all available forensic info, is there anything specific (a signature) that could identify a characteristic or be linked to another crime
Get details to determine WHAT, then look for crime motivation the WHY, before moving to the WHO
Investigative Psychology Approach (David Cantor- psychologist)
Analyzing crime scene is similar to FBI's approach, aim is the same except this method focuses more on offenders likely motivation
This method attempts to identify characteristics by analyzing behavior in a way that is independent of underpinning psychological mechanisms.
Not focused on the why instead the characteristics of offender during crime
Analyzes large amount of data at one time instead of FBI case by case approach
Used this approach in 1999 when safari & canter looked at 82 british cases of single perpetrator single-victim homicide crimes which had been solved. Coded information : Actions by offender on victim, descriptions of behavior, characteristics of offender and victim
Then got rid of variables that occurred in more than 90% of crimes or less than 10% (seen as too common or too rare)
This then helped to find consistencies within the crimes - body was typically facing downwards if property of value had been taken from the scene
Were able to identify 3 crime scene themes reflecting the role of aggression
1. Expressive (impulsive) where underlying aim of aggression seems to be to hurt the victim- will be left with stab wounds or other types of wounds, likely to have committed prior violent or sexual offenses
2. Instrumental (opportunistic)
3. Instrumental (cognitive) where murder is a byproduct of other more dominant motives such as desire for objects - may try to hide body or dispose of it
David Cantor suggests the way we interact with one another is so ingrained in our lives and so well rehearsed that it influences all interactions with others- including their interaction with their victim
has a five factor model - Criminal Characteristics (Idea characteristics can be matched to similar crime types), Interpersonal Coherence, Criminal Career, Offenders Forensic Awareness (Idea offenders will behave relatively consistently in committing their crimes and any previous offenses will resemble the current one), Time and Space is vital because crime scenes are rarely random, offenders select time and place for a reason
If offender is engaging in an offense where he needs to feel in control, is likely to do this in a place that is familiar, or close to home
Geographical Profiling
Importance on time and space
To tell you where offender is likely to be based- help with search areas and seek to find areas offenders are familiar with
Usually a reason people commit crime in certain area
Least effort principle- if there are 2 identically attractive options, offender will choose one closest to them
Distance Decay- idea that crimes will decrease in frequency as offender travels farther from home
Both principles are an oversimplification
Marauder- someone who uses their home as a location base, can draw circle around 2 offenses and find home area, Canter and Larkin in 1993 analysis said 87% of offenders were maraduers
Commuter- when someone travels to a different area
Diagnostic Evaluation
Crime Action Profiling
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