1. Criminal Profiling
Establishment of the FBI Behavioural Science Unit and now the Violent Criminal Investigation Unit (VI-CAP) in Researchers like David Cantor [UK}, Burgess & Holmes have contributed a lot to this complex new field in criminology Increasing number of unsolved murders and decreasing detection rate in the US from 93% in 1962 to 65% 1995 and the increasing proportion of "stranger murders" -- increasing from less 10% to about 25% in the US. similar patterns appear to be emerging in other countries. Prevalence question is undecided but most agree that this phenomena is increasingly common and Hickey's work suggests that in the US the annual number of offenders has increased from 1 per year up to 1969 but is now around 10 per year in the US. He attaches much importance to understanding the demographics of the vicitms.
Generally it is difficult to talk about serial murder without also talking about the nature of homicide and murder. This lecture focuses on a particularly rare form of homicide - the serial killer usually a "lust" killer. This is a bizarre world and highly controversial field of study and mostly of US origin. However, there is considerable overlap with theories explaining serial rapists, arsonists, pedophiles and work on profiling violent crime. See Holmes and Holmes [1996] , Turvey [1999] etc. Characteristics etc. of homicide in HK discussed and note the few [if any] occurring locally -- Tuen Muen Rapists probably qualifies but examples in Guandong also have occurred.
Hickey [1997] study is qualitative and based on "constant comparison" and 337 men and 67 women responsible for between victims. His work "Serial Murderers and their Victims" is the basis for this lecture, although the work of others Hare, Burgess, Cantor and others will also inform this lecture. [see especially David Cantor 1994 "Criminal Shadows"]

2. 3. Suggestions & strategies for interviewing suspects
Aims of Profiling
1. Social and psychological assessments of offenders demographic profile, age, race, employment & marital status narrowing the field of suspects, including likely geo-field & repetition cycle.
2. Psychological evaluations of belongings found on suspects -examples: trophies & souvenirs
3. Suggestions & strategies for interviewing suspects
Results of profiling in FBI study of 192 cases were profiling was used only 88 were solved and of which only 15 [17%] were attributed to the profile [largely because . PPs are rarely used exclusively and Cantors geographical and behaviour based model is preferred since these maximise police resources and also those that rely more on actuarial techniques aimed at eliminating suspects [as in the NSW Milat case combined with good crime scene forensics]. The rational for PPs relies on the uniqueness of expereince and different personality types willbe reflected in the lifestyles and behaviour and this leads to several assumptions in the PP process.

3. Assumptions of Profiling
The uniqueness of experience & different personality types will be reflected in lifestyles & behavior.
This leads to assumptions about profiling:
The crime scene reflects the personality
The methods remain similar
The signature remains the same
The personality will not change

4. Role of Profiling: Investigative Phase
Reduces the pool of suspects
Links similar crimes through unique indicators & behavior patterns
Assess potential for escalation in crime seriousness & frequency
Provides investigators with potential leads and approaches

5. Role of Profiling: Trial Phase
Assists in evaluation of evidence
Assists in developing interview strategies
Helps gain insight on offender motivation
Helps suggest a crime scene linkage by modus operandi and signature behavior

6. Psychopathy Vs Reactive Offender
Self-concept: Invulnerable
Superior
Pre-emptive rights
Sees Others:Stupid
Inferior
Weak
Strategies: Manipulative
Violence
REACTIVE
Vulnerable
Fluctuates/unstable
Fragile rights
Hostile
Oppositional
The enemy
Inadequate problem solving
“Defensive” violence

7. Serial Killers- Typologies
The Stable Killer
The Transient Killer
The Organized Killer
The Disorganized Killer
Serial Killer: A person who kills a number of people (usually over five) with a cooling off period between each murder (usually one murder at one given time, but two murders at one time occasionally happens); these murders may go on for a period of months or years until the killer is caught.
Throughout the last three decades the US serial killer rate has risen 940%.
In the next millenium serial killers will claim an average of 11 lives a day.
There are at least 35 serial killers active in the USA today who claim one third of the annual murder rate.
The US has 6% of the world’s population but 3/4 of all serial killers.

8. Typology of Serial Killers
Visionary - kill because of visions - generally psychotic
Mission orientated - rid society of certain types of people e.g. prostitutes, runaway kids, racial group etc
Hedonistic - "thrill seekers" & lust killers
Power/Control orientated - pleasure is not sexual but power - often killing when the victim abandons hope of survival and acquiesces
SK often associated with the Paraphilias (devaint sexual arousal & fetishes) and as a conbsequence some emphasize the importance of fantasy in creating the conditions for SK motivation:
Holmes and DeBurger Typology [1988] based on assumption that it is psycho-genic [psychologically rewarding not insanity or gain], motives are evident only to the killer in an "intrinsic locus of motives" see the usefulness of the techniques of neutralisation idea and other socio-psychological theories of crime causation as well.

9. FBI Psychological Profile of Lust Killers
Organized Killer
intelligent
masculine image
charismatic
socially capable
sexually capable
occupationally mobile
lives with partner
geographically mobile
harsh childhood discipline
controlled emotions
interested in media
model inmate
Disorganized Killer
below average IQ
socially immature
seldom dates
high school failure
unemployed father
lives alone
has secret hiding places
nocturnal
lives/works near crime
unskilled worker
behavior change
low interest in media
high anxiety during crime
Disorganised killers often will behave predictably after murder and usually are more easily caught than -- go to the crime scene, attend funeral, keep a diary, mood changes, religious revival, change employment, write to newspapers about vicitms etc.

10. FBI Profile: Organized
Show signs of planning and evidence of control at the crime scene
Offenders are -
Intelligent
Socially skilled
Sexually competent
Live with a partner
Usually target strangers
Antisocial & psychopathic personality

11. FBI’s Approach to Offender Profiling: Disorganized
Unplanned and disorganized behavior & lack of control at the crime scene
Offenders are -
Low intelligence
Socially and sexually inept
Live alone
Severe mental illness
Likely have been suffered from physical or sexual abuse as a child
Frightened or confused state of mind

12. Four Stages of Crime: Serial Killers
Pre-crime Stage
Actual commission of crime
Disposal of body
Post-crime behavior

13. Investigation & Forensic Techniques
Solvability of serial killer crime depends on:
Quality of police interviews with witnesses
Circumstances that lead to the initial contact with the murderer
Circumstances that established probable cause to search & seize physical evidence
Quality of scene crime investigation
Quality of scientific analysis of physical evidence

14. Profile of Fire-setters
Learning problems
Poor school behavior
Absent parents
Lying
Fights with siblings
Disobedient
Pre-occupied & fascinated by fire
Impulsive
Unhappy dysfunctional family
Needs security & affection
Impatient
Poor concentration
Attention seeking
Peer influence
Firesetting [juveniles] arson [adults] is considered by some psychologist as a good example of the connection to family dysfunction which is the essential pathology of poor socialisation. Hickey reports a US sudy of 1,200 juvenile firestarters [90% male] which found common psychological and behavioral problems and he argues this is the most persistent of deviant behaviours from childhood to adult whereas many childhood delinquency disappear with adulthood [but often this is because they can do those things they want to without breaking the law!!].