Criminal Psychology What is it? What is the history of Criminal Psychology? What is Forensic Psychology? Theories that explain criminal behaviour Profiling criminals

What is Criminal Psychology? Criminal psychology is the study of the wills, thoughts, intentions and reactions of criminals. It is related to the field of criminal anthropology (The scientific study of the origin and behaviour of humans, including the development of societies and cultures). The study goes deeply into what makes someone commit crime, but also the reactions after the crime, on the run or in court. Criminal psychologists are often called up as witnesses in court cases to help the jury understand the mind of the criminal. Psychiatry also may deal with aspects of criminal behaviour.

History Criminal psychology also known as offender profiling began in the 1940's when the United States Office of Strategic Services asked William Langer, a psychiatrist, to draw up a profile of Adolf Hitler. After the Second World War British psychologist Lionel Haward while working for the Royal Air Force police, drew up a list of characteristics which high-ranking Nazi war criminals might display, to be able to spot them amongst ordinary captured soldiers and airmen.

History The fastest development occurred when the FBI opened its training academy in Quantico, Virginia (“Criminal Minds” is set in Quantico). It led to the establishment of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime and the violent criminal apprehension program. The idea was to have a system which could pick up links between unsolved major crimes.

History In the United Kingdom, Professor David Canter was a pioneer helping to guide police detectives from the mid 1980's to an offender who had carried out a series of serious attacks, but Canter saw the limitations of "offender profiling" - in particular, the subjective, personal opinion of a psychologist. He and a colleague coined the term investigative psychology and began trying to approach the subject from what they saw as a more scientific point of view.

What is Forensic Psychology? Criminal Psychology falls under the umbrella of FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, which studies the application of psychology to the criminal justice system. Sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably. Many people confuse Forensic Psychology with forensic science. Although the two are closely related, there are many differences.

Forensic Psychology The primary difference is that forensic psychologists delve into the vast psychological perspectives and apply them to criminal justice system. On the other hand, forensic psychiatrists frequently deal with legal issues, such as public policies, new laws, competency, and also whether a defendant was insane at the time a crime occurred. Forensic Psychology knowledge is used in various forms, such as in treating mentally ill offenders, consulting with attorneys (e.g., on picking a jury), analysing a criminal's mind and intent, and practicing within the civil arena.

Forensic Psychology Individuals interested in pursuing a Forensic Psychology career would have to take psychology and criminal justice courses at the core of their academic studies (Auckland/Victoria Universities). There are a very limited number of academic institutions that specifically offer a Forensic Psychology degree. Clinical, social, cognitive, criminal investigative, and developmental psychology can be helpful.

Insanity as a defence plea Insanity: on cases in New Zealand: Clayton Weatherstone, Antonie Dixon.

Criminal-Investigative Psychology Criminal Profiling Criminal-Investigative Psychology Criminal Psychology degrees are offered in a variety of American Universities, and include aspects of profiling.

Criminal Profiling The criminal profiler creates a psychological profile or picture of a suspect based on what he/she knows about motivation, mental illness, and also human behaviour. The best place to begin getting an idea of a criminal's mind is often at the scene of a crime. Investigators pay particular attention to the things done at the scene or to the victim and also to the things not done. These observations can lead to a behavioural profile of the yet unknown suspect.

Criminal Profiling Police have been able to catch a wide array of people using profilers, including serial killers. Once criminals have been taken into custody, profilers can learn even more about the criminal mind and can find possible motives, verify motives, and/or assess the defendant's state of mind.

Goals of Profiling According to Holmes & Holmes (2002), who take the FBI serial killer profiling technique as a model for proactive profiling of an UNSUB (Unknown Suspect), there are three goals that a profiler strives for: To provide a social and psychological assessment of the offender To provide a psychological evaluation of belongings in possession by the offender To provide interviewing suggestions and strategies The second and third goal will involve analysis of souvenirs (taken from the victim at the crime scene) as well as the analysis of motive (usually from signature elements, or what the offender did at the scene that they didn't have to do, or from further guessing about what fantasy the offender has in mind).  There's no such thing as a motiveless crime.  Just because we don't understand the motive doesn't make it any less visible. 

Theories that explain criminal behaviour What Makes Serial Killers Tick?: "It was an urge. ... A strong urge, and the longer I let it go the stronger it got, to where I was taking risks to go out and kill people - risks that normally, according to my little rules of operation, I wouldn't take because they could lead to arrest." —Edmund Kemper. Where does this urge come from, and why is so powerful? If we all experienced this urge, would we be able to resist? Is it genetic, hormonal, biological, or cultural conditioning? Do serial killers have any control over their desires?

Psychological Theories: An Overview  First, they have focused on failures in psychological development --an overbearing or weak conscience, inner conflict, insufficient moral development, and maternal deprivation with its failure of attachment.  Second, they have investigated the ways in which aggression and violence are learned through modelling and direct experience.  Third, they have investigated the personality characteristics of criminals and found that criminals do tend to be more impulsive, intolerant, and irresponsible than non-criminals.  Fourth, psychologists have investigated the relation of criminality to such mental disorders as psychosis and psychopathy

Theories Biological Theory The offender is seen as a mentally disturbed individual, also usually suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, who is venting frustration or anger at a target. The victim is also seen as mentally disturbed who somehow induced the offender to harm them.

Theories Feminist theory (sits within Behavioural theory or Psychodynamic theory) The offender is seen as acting upon the current patriarchal (male dominated) makeup of society. The victim is seen as historically socialized to accept this, keep quiet about it, and take what they deserve.

Theories Three variations: Behavioural theory Three variations: intergenerational transmission of violence - in which adults learn it by having seen it as a child; learned helplessness -in which victimization occurs because of economic and emotional dependency; and cycle of violence - in which both victim are caught up in a tension - disinhibition cycle.

Theories Cognitive theory Essentially argues that offenders have failed to develop their moral judgment capacity beyond the pre-conventional level.

Types of Criminality that are of particular interest to Criminal/Forensic Psychologists Serial Killers Sexual Serial Killers Sexual Sadism Rapists Child Molesters and Crimes against Children Arsonists Mass Murder

Classification (Typology) of Criminals according to their Psychology Personality Disorder: Paranoid-Narcissistic Anti-social personality disorder: Psychopaths Obsessive Compulsives

Definition Serial Killer FBI: A serial killer is the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events. Serial killers normally stalk their victims, and besides them, there are many others who stalk.  Stalking is an acquaintance crime. The majority of stalkers have been in relationships with their victims, or are just acquaintances - neighbours, friends or co-workers.