Peering into the Criminal Mind

What do these people have in common?

Forensic Psychiatry vs. Forensic Psychology

The short answer is, psychiatrists are medical doctors and psychologists are not. The suffix "-iatry" means "medical treatment," and "-logy" means "science" or "theory." So psychiatry is the medical treatment of the psyche, and psychology is the science of the psyche. What is the psyche?

psyche- The human mind. This can include conscious & unconscious thought, the spirit, the soul, etc. All of the things that fall under how people think & feel. Not all parts of the psyche have a scientific explanation, but some do.

Forensic Psychiatry Unlike hair, shoeprints, or weapons, the motivations of criminals aren't visible. They cannot be studied under a microscope or analyzed in a lab. This makes psychiatry a totally different type of science; the science of behavior……

Forensic Psychiatry cont. Investigators use physical and biological evidence to determine the who, what, where, and how. Forensic psychiatrists help to answer why. Many times the why is the most valuable piece of information for solving the crime because there are very few crimes that are committed without a motive, the why.

What do Forensic Psychiatrists (Psychologists) do? Test suspects for mental illness Assess a perpetrator’s sanity Establish a perpetrator’s mental state at the time of a crime Determine an individual’s competency to stand trial, offer testimony, sign contracts, and perform other actions Evaluating suspects for signs of deception or malingering (faking illness) Profiling perpetrators and victims

So, what would a forensic psychiatrist do in court? Stand trial to offer an opinion regarding the suspect’s mental state at the time of the crime Address issues related to legal sanity (in the case of an insanity plea) During the sentencing phase, they may suggest the need for admission to a mental facility instead of prison They may offer how dangerous the defendant is and how likely the defendant is to be a repeat offender.

Did you know that the term insanity is a legal term and not a medical term? Insanity, therefore is determined by a judge and jury. (Psychiatrists determine mental disorders and advise the courts accordingly but the final say comes from the law.)

Now…what about the forensic profiler? Psychological profiling (AKA offender profiling, criminal profiling, or just profiling) analyzes habits and rituals of serial criminals. They speculate on peculiarities of the offender's lifestyle that, when made public, may be recognized by colleagues or neighbors.

History Basic profiling began over a hundred years ago when in 1888 “Jack the Ripper” murdered seven prostitutes in the Whitechapel area of London. George B. Philips, a police surgeon, noticed the neat removal of the organs of Annie Chapman, the third victim. Philips concluded that only someone with medical training could have made the incisions so precisely.

History cont. Profiling emerged as a distinct discipline in the 1950’s when the FBI established a Behavioral Science Unit. It is now called the Investigative Support Unit.

The main data bases are: NCAVC – National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crimes VICAP – Violent Criminal Apprehension Program CIRG – Criminal Incident Response Group PROFILER

Profiling If you don’t know what you are looking for, finding it is nearly impossible. Profiling is looking at evidence and making a best guess as to the type of individual who would commit the crime in question. Profiling helps the investigator get an idea of who they are looking for and narrows down the search.

A profiler is usually a specially trained FBI agent who looks at the crime scene, autopsy report, victim and likely precrime and postcrime behaviors. They would ask questions like: How did the killer gain access to the victim? What did the killer do to the victim? Did the killer try to cover his/her tracks? What is it about this victim that attracted the killer? What motive or fantasy drove the killer to harm the victim in the particular manner at the particular time and location?

What kind of offenders are ‘out there’? Mass murderers….Spree killers…Serial killers…Serial arsonists…Child Molesters… Pedophiles…Serial rapists…. (just to name a few)

Let’s start out with the multiple murderer… Multiple murderers are people who’ve killed more than one person. Multiple murders are classified according to the location and sequence of the killings: Mass murderers Spree killers Serial killers

Mass Murderers Kill more than 4 people in one place at one time Have a clear agenda and want to send a message Motive often is some perceived wrong committed by co-workers or employer

Spree Killers Kill more than one person at two or more locations that are linked by motive with no cooling off period between killings Constantly killing, hiding, running, or planning his next attack Goes on rampages, moving from place to place, city to city Many times ends up in a suicidal confrontation with law enforcement

Serial Killers Kill more than one person at different times and locations Cooling off period between killings (used to unwind, calm down before the demons take over again)

Assessing the Perpetrator’s Psyche There are three basic categories of offenders: Organized offenders Disorganized offenders Mixed offenders

Organized Offenders Very sophisticated approach Planning involved Average or better intelligence Employed Involved in active social relationships (spouse, family, etc.) Maintain control to avoid being impulsive Prepare and rehearse Target specific types of victims Use control measures (restraints, etc.) Bring tools Takes care not to leave evidence behind If killers, hide or dispose of the body with a preselected dumpsite

Disorganized Offenders Live alone or with a relative Lower than average intelligence Unemployed or work at menial jobs Often mentally ill Act impulsively; have little control over fantasy-driven needs Attack with sudden violence Crime scene is messy and chaotic Doesn’t plan ahead or bring tools; just uses what ever is around and handy As killers they leave the body behind Take little care about leaving evidence behind Some have sexual contact after victim is killed

Mixed Offenders Show evidence of planning and sophistication but the assault itself may be frenzied, messy, or sloppy.

Descriptors Profilers use descriptors (categories) that they use to describe the type of individuals who commit the crimes. Descriptors can be categories like age, sex, race, residency, proximity, social skills, work/military history, or educational level. Using these descriptors, profilers can create a pretty good picture or profile of the offender.

What is your average serial killer like? 20-30 years old Mostly male Most don’t cross racial lines Most kill close to home (comfort zone) until they get confident at least… Killers who use a ruse are more social; those who use a blitz-style attack are less comfortable with conversation Residency, work/military history or educational level depends on whether the offender is ‘organized’ or ‘unorganized’

What about child molesters. Pedophiles. We haven’t mentioned them yet What about child molesters? Pedophiles? We haven’t mentioned them yet. First of all, is there a difference between a child molester and a pedophile? Answer: Yes

Pedophilia vs. Child Molester Psychological disorder Sexual preference for pre-pubescent children; typically less than 12 years of age Have sexual fantasies but not necessarily act on them Maintains contact with young children at all costs

Pedophilia vs. Child Molester Different motivations often not of sexual origin; many times just criminal Described as an older person 95% male, 5% female Defined as any type of sexual act with a person who is a child

So, who is this and how do you classify her?

Now…how about those arsonists? What are some descriptors? Dysfunctional family background Attraction to the aftermath of fire Extremely disciplined as a child; to the point of abuse History of running away; truancy

Staging Profilers also play an important role in determining if the crime scene was ‘staged’. Staging is when a crime scene is changed to make it appear as if something else happened. Example: A husband kills his wife but trashes the house making it look like a burglary occurred.

Trophies and Souvenirs Many criminals take things from the crime scene. Many of these objects can be sold. Serial killers tend to take objects with no monetary value. They choose objects that hold more nostalgic value so they can relive the crime in later fantasies. Objects of all sorts are taken, even body parts.

Distinguishing MO from Signature Modus operandi (MO, or method of operation) describes the tools and strategies a criminal uses to commit a crime…. location, tools needed, types of objects taken from the crime, transportation, the perpetrator’s alibi, the perpetrator’s accomplices, etc. They are the things that the perpetrator deems necessary in getting away with the crime.

Distinguishing MO from Signature So, what is a signature? A signature is an act that has nothing to do with completing the crime or getting away with it. They are actions that are driven by the killer’s psychological needs and fantasies. Example: Torturing the victim, posing and taking pictures with the victim, taking trophies or souvenirs, etc.

Whether there is a multiple killer, child molester, or serial arsonist, there is one common thread that links them all together…. They are all playing out the fantasies that plaque their minds….the “demons” within.

Homework Questions Name 3 responsibilities of a forensic psychiatrist. Who determines whether a person is insane? What does a forensic profiler do? What is the difference between a serial killer and a spree killer? Identify characteristics of an organized offender. Compare and contrast a pedophile and a child molester. How is a signature different from a MO?