WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING?

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING Psychological profiling involves investigating an offender's behaviour, motives and background in an attempt to further guide an investigation. Analyzing the criminal's habits and rituals allows investigators to trace similarities between previous crimes. When these details of their lifestyle are made public, friends, neighbours and colleagues may recognize them.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING The process of psychological profiling began over a century ago, but was first distinctly used as a method in America during the 1950's. Investigators discovered through research, intriguing patterns and similarities between serial killer's behaviour. Some of the patterns discovered include the killers having suffered from child abuse as youngsters, whether it is sexual or physical and that this kind of abuse led to abnormal behaviours later on.

MACDONALD TRIAD (TRIAD OF SOCIOPATHY) The triad links animal cruelty, obsession with fire setting, and persistent bedwetting past the age of five in children and teenagers to violent behaviours; particularly homicidal behaviour. Late teenage years to early twenties, these individuals were engaging in petty crimes and defying authority. Although other studies have not found statistically significant links between the triad of violence and violent offenders, many serial killers exhibited these behaviours during childhood.

APPLICATION OF MACDONALD TRIAD Dennis Lynn Rader is an American serial killer who murdered ten people in Sedgwick County between 1974 and He is known as the BTK killer (or the BTK strangler). "BTK" stands for "Bind, Torture, Kill," which was his infamous signature. He sent letters describing the details of the killings to police and to local news outlets during the period of time in which the murders took place.

TYPES OF SERIAL KILLERS Visionary Type: such murderers kill in response to the commands of voices or visions usually emanating from the forces of good or evil. Often believed to be suffering from some form of psychosis. Mission-Oriented Type: these offenders believe it is their mission in life to rid the community or society of certain groups of people. Some killers may target the elderly, prostitutes, children, or a particular racial/ethnic group.

TYPES OF SERIAL KILLERS Hedonistic Type: offenders in the category are usually stereotyped as ‘thrill seekers’, those who derive satisfaction from the murders. ‘Lust murders’ Often referred to as sexual and sadistic (deriving pleasure from inflicting pain and suffering) Power/Control-Oriented Type: primary source of pleasure is not sexual, but the killer’s ability to control and exert power over his helpless victim Murders for Profit: offenders murder individuals in order to make a profit

TYPES OF MURDERERS Through profiling techniques, the FBI has identified characteristics of ‘organized’ and ‘disorganized’ murders

ORGANIZED KILLERS  D D exter Morgan is a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who also leads a secret life as a serial killer. Dexter would be considered an example of an organized killer. Opening theme - (2 mins) h ttp://serialkillermethods.weebly.com/organizeddisorganized.html

DISORGANIZED KILLERS - Aileen Wuornos is an example of a disorganized killer. - Monster movie trailer (2 mins) - Aileen Wuornos coming clean (5 mins)

PSYCHOPATH  R Robert Hare, a researcher in the field describes psychopaths as "intraspecies predators who use charm, manipulation, intimidation, sex and violence to control others and to satisfy their own selfish needs. Lacking in conscience and empathy, they take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without guilt or remorse". "What is missing, in other words, are the very qualities that allow a human being to live in social harmony."

PSYCHOPATH Psychopaths are superficially charming, and many psychopaths are excellent mimics of normal human emotion; some psychopaths can blend in, undetected, in a variety of surroundings, including corporate environments. There is neither a cure nor any effective treatment for psychopathy; there are no medications or other techniques which can instill empathy, and psychopaths who undergo traditional talk therapy only become more adept at manipulating others.

TED BUNDY- Born to Kill?clip