FBI Method of Profiling
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In the FBI offender profiling is conceptualised as “a technique for identifying the major personality and behavioural characteristics of an individual based upon an analysis of the crimes he or she has committed” (Douglas, Ressler, Burgess & Hartman, 1986). Amongst profiling methods the approach used by the FBI is most common and has been adopted by profilers in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and other European countries (Turvey, 1999). The process this approach uses to determine offender characteristics involves, first, an assimilation phase where all information available in regard to the crime scene, victim, and witnesses is examined (Jackson & Beckerian, 1997). This may include photographs of the crime scene, autopsy reports, victim profiles, police reports, and witness statements. The next phase, the "classification stage", involves integrating the information collected into a framework which essentially classifies the murderer as "organised" or "disorganised". Organised murderers are thought to plan their crimes, display control over the victim, leave little forensic evidence or clues, and often engage in sexual acts with the victim before the murder (Douglas et al., 1986; Jackson et al., 1997). In contrast, the disorganised offender is described as impulsive, his/her murders are opportunistic and crime scenes suggest frenzied, haphazard behaviour (Woodworth & Porter, 2002).
Following the classification stage profilers attempt to reconstruct the behavioural sequence of the crime, in particular, attempting to reconstruct the offender's modus operandi or method of committing the crime (Jackson et al., 1997). Profilers also examine closely the offender's “signature” which is identifiable from the crime scene and is more idiosyncratic than the modus operandi (Woodworth et al., 2002). From further consideration of the modus operandi, the offenders signature at the crime scene, and also an inspection for the presence of any staging of the crime, the profiler moves on to generate a profile. This profile may contain detailed information regarding the offenders demographic characteristics, family characteristics, military background, education, personality characteristics, and may also suggest appropriate interview techniques (Jackson et al., 1997).
[edit] See also
- Forensic psychology
- Offender profiling
- Investigative psychology
- Criticism of the FBI Method of Classification of Serial Murderers
[edit] Source Articles
Douglas, J.E., Ressler, R.K., Burgess, A.W., & Hartman, C.R.(1986). Criminal profiling from crime scene analysis. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 4: 401-421.
Jackson, J.L., & Bekerian, D.A. (1997). Offender profiling: research, theory, and practice. Chicester: Wiley.
Turvey, B.E. (1999). Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioural Evidence Analysis. San Diego: Academic.
Woodworth, M., & Porter, S. (2001). Historical Foundations and Current Applications of Criminal Profiling in Violent Crime Investigations. Expert Evidence, 7: 241-261.
