FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY Focus: Criminal Profiling

Introduction Forensic psychology, as defined by the American Psychological Association, is the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena. The practice of forensic psychology is the psychological assessment of individuals who are involved, in some way, with the legal system.

Introduction Criminal profiling, or criminal investigative analysis, involves the investigation of a crime with the hope of identifying the responsible party, based on crime scene analysis, investigative psychology, and behavioral science.

Introduction Criminal profilers study evidence collected and analyzed by crime-scene investigators to formulate a hypothesis about a perpetrator’s Age Personality Lifestyle Social environment

Historical Profiling Lobroso, 1876 Gross, 1906 Suggested that criminals shared certain physical characteristics Three general types: genetically predisposed, insane, non-specific characteristics Gross, 1906 Suggested behavior of criminal types (murder/arson/thievery)

Historical Profiling Wulffen, 1935 Kirk, 1953 Examined female criminal behavior Kirk, 1953 Expressed the importance of profiling in criminalistics Worked on the Sam Sheppard case

Historical Profiling One of the earliest recorded criminal profiles was assembled by Metropolitan Police in Whitechapel, London, during the Jack the Ripper case in 1888.

Modern Day Profiling Forensic psychiatrist/psychologist Interviews criminals and suspects Evaluates personal history Administers personality tests Presents an opinion as testimony in court James Brussel, 1950s Viewed profiling as a diagnostic tool, bridging the gap between criminal investigators and forensic psychiatrists

Modern Day Profiling 1972 – FBI Behavioral Science Unit established by Teten and Mullany 1976 – John Douglas and Robert Ressler begin compiling a centralized database on serial offenders for BSU 1984 – BSU splits into BSU (trains cadets at Quantico) and Behavioral Science Investigative Support Unit (in-field investigation and consultations) 1985 – National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) replaces the

Modern Day Profiling 1985 – National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) replaces the BSISU; Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP) is formed as a system of collected records from serial offenders that can be used to create profiles

Modern Day Profiling The first known successful (though only semi-accurate) criminal profile concerned New York City’s “Mad Bomber” in 1956

Assumptions of the Profiling Process The crime scene reflects the personality MOs remain similar Signature will remain the same Criminal’s core personality will not change

Stages of the Profiling Process Input Decision process models Crime assessment Criminal profile Investigation Apprehension The logic is that the way a person thinks guides his or her behavior.

Profilers should only use evidence directly related to the crime! 1 – Input Collecting evidence (for example) Placement of the victim and weapon(s) Body position Blood spatter Condition of surroundings History of the victim Employment and reputation Social habits Hobbies and interests Autopsy report Profilers should only use evidence directly related to the crime!

2 – Decision Process Models Classifying the crime

2 – Decision Process Models Determining motives (7 Key Theories) Rational Choice – people act in self-interest after weighing risk vs reward Social Disorganization – physical/social environments are responsible for behavioral choices Strain – failure to achieve society’s expectations through approved means encourages success via crime Social Learning – motivation and skills to commit crime are developed through people they associate with

2 – Decision Process Models Determining motives (7 Key Theories) Social Control – if not for the controls that society places on individuals, most people would commit crime Labeling – people in power decide what acts are crimes; labeling someone as a criminal encourages further criminal behavior Biology/Genetics/Evolution – poor diet, mental illness, bad brain chemistry, evolutionary rewards for aggressive criminal conduct cause criminal behavior

2 – Decision Process Models Risk level of the victim Criminals often seek out victims who are the most vulnerable Clues about sequence of events, pattern of escalation, time taken to complete acts, and locations of crimes

3 – Crime Assessment Motivation behind the crime ORGANIZED Premeditated and planned Body hidden/weapon removed Staged crime scene Externalizes anger, confident, articulate Targeted victim(s) (wives/girlfriends usually safe) Geographically mobile Pre-mortem aggression Shows interest in media attention

3 – Crime Assessment Motivation behind the crime DISORGANIZED Impulsive and no plan Body/weapon not hidden or removed Crime scene not staged Internalizes anger, low self-esteem, not very articulate No particular targets although poor relations with women Geographically stable Post-mortem aggression

3 – Crime Assessment Modus operandi “method of working” – actions used by the individual to execute the crime, prevent its detection, and facilitate escape The type of restraints used on the victim, wound patterns, and type of fiber of the restraints. Type of weapon used, such as knife, blunt object, etc. Tools used to gain entry to victim’s home. Attack could be from when the victim exits their vehicle or walks through a dark parking garage. Time of day that the offender chooses to commit the crime, such as nighttime or early morning. 

3 – Crime Assessment Signature—the distinctive behaviors that help to serve the criminal’s psychological and emotional needs Level of injury to the victim, minimal or excessive. Specific location or sequence to the criminal act. Ejaculation, urination, and/or defecation at the crime scene. Personal items taken from victim. Specific type of victim targeted that refers to age, race, occupation, or other physical characteristics.  Anything specifically left at the crime scene, such as a note or object.

4 – Criminal Profile A typical profile includes estimates of: Race Sex Physical characteristics Habits Values and beliefs Compare the profile with the decision process models (stage 2) and reconstruction of the crime scene

5 – Investigation Begins after profiler submits written report Seek and evaluate suspects that match the profile

6 – Apprehension Interview and interrogate the suspect Arrest the suspect (if confession or evidence links to crime)

Victimology A victim is a person who has experienced harm, injuries, loss, or death. Victimology is the study victims who have been affected by crime, accidents, or natural disasters.

Victim Risk Assessment is very subjective

Victim Risk Characteristics All risks are considered from the perspective of the victim’s age, job, and criminal background. Aggressive nature Impulsive Anxious Passive Thrives on attention Self-inflicted injuries Poor self-image Negative Exhibits addictive behaviors

Victimology Assessment At the crime scene Did the victim know the perpetrator? Does the victim suspect anyone in particular and why? Has the victim reported similar or other crimes in which he or she was the victim? Is the victim carrying a weapon? Does the victim own a weapon? Has the victim been in any other police reports in the past?

Victimology Assessment Forensics and profiling working together: What are some of the victim’s general physical characteristics, including eye color, hair color, weight, and ethnicity? Where does the victim work and what is his or her work schedule? Does the victim have a criminal history? If so, investigators will ask the victim to explain. What is the victim’s daily routine?

Victimology Assessment Working together (cont’d): What is the contact information of the victim’s family members, friends, and coworkers? What is the victim’s medical history, including mental health records? What medications is the victim taking? What is the victim’s education level? Where does the victim live and with whom? Create a timeline of events

Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Criminal Behavior It is important to note that individuals with these illnesses are not criminals merely because they have the disorder. It is more accurate to say that these disorders are more closely linked to criminality because these disorders include symptoms that tend to violate the rights of others.

Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Criminal Behavior Schizophrenia – the mind is split from reality (psychosis) so that one’s own thoughts appear as hallucinations Problems in thinking and speaking Disturbed perceptions Inappropriate emotions/actions/behaviors David Berkowitz, Ed Gein, James Holmes

Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Criminal Behavior Personality Disorders – enduring patterns of social and other behavior that impair social functioning Borderline Personality Disorder Extreme emotions, mood swings, and an inability to regulate emotions Disinhibition, antagonism More common in female criminals Aileen Wuornos, Jeffrey Dahmer, Kristen Gilbert

Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Criminal Behavior Personality Disorders – enduring patterns of social and other behavior that impair social functioning Antisocial Personality Disorder “Psychopath” or “Sociopath” Emotional detachment, lack empathy Disinhibition, antagonism Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, Dennis Rader

Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Criminal Behavior Personality Disorders – enduring patterns of social and other behavior that impair social functioning Narcissistic Personality Disorder Grandiosity, need for admiration Emotional detachment, lack of empathy Disinhibition, antagonism Ted Bundy, Casey Anthony, OJ Simpson