Criminal Personality Profiling and Crime Scene Assessment: A Contemporary Investigative Tool To Assist Law Enforcement Public Safety

• NCJ Number: 178194
• Journal: Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: August 1999 Pages: 291-301
• Author(s): Joseph A. Davis
• Date Published: August 1999
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Criminal personality profiling is discussed with respect to its nature and use.

Abstract

This technique rests on recognition that the multiple factors and antecedent events involved in a violent crime include the intent, the plan, the type of criminal, the type of victim, the crime scene, and the pre-mortem and postmortem interval. The manner in which a violent crime is performed expresses the psychological pattern, makeup, and expression of the individual performing it. Criminal investigative analysis, which is also called criminal personality profiling, examines and identifies the subtle habits, psychological traits, and personality variables associated with criminal activity. These variables and traits are used to develop personality and behavioral descriptors of an offender who often commits heinous crimes such as serial homicide, sex crimes leading to criminal homicide, arson, bombings, ritualistic crimes that include torture, child abduction, kidnapping, child molestation, and bank robbery. The investigator goes through eight steps in the profiling process. Profiling has proved effective in hostage negotiation situations and has also been used in examining threat communications; in identifying serial rapists and arsonists; and in investigating bizarre, unsolved homicides. The classification of the crime scene is a crucial aspect in the development of every profile; types include the organized crime scene, the disorganized crime scene, the mixed crime scene, and the atypical crime scene. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other organizations have embarked on the development of a computerized statistical database through the study of known methods and questionnaires of offenders. The FBI's sexual offender study has resulted in the identification of characteristics of murderers. Profiling does not replace good detective work, but it can aid a case workup and augment other investigative methods. Checklists and 16 references (Author abstract modified)