Lecture 4: Profilling Lie Detection

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Questions and Answers

What is the main goal of deductive criminal profiling?

To identify an offender based on their past crimes

To develop a systematic approach to investigating crimes

To determine the likelihood of an offender possessing certain characteristics

To profile the background characteristics of an unknown offender based on evidence left at the crime scene (correct)

Which of the following is a characteristic of inductive criminal profiling?

It is based on evidence from the crime scene

It is a systematic approach to investigating crimes

It determines the likelihood of an offender possessing certain characteristics (correct)

It relies on logical reasoning

What was the focus of the Behavioral Science Unit's study in the 1980s?

Studying the statistical probability of offender characteristics

Interviewing 36 convicted murderers to develop a systematic approach to profiling (correct)

Developing a geographic profiling model

Analyzing crime scenes to identify patterns

What is the main limitation of deductive criminal profiling?

The underlying logic can sometimes be faulty Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between deductive and inductive criminal profiling?

Deductive profiling focuses on the crime scene, while inductive profiling focuses on past crimes Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the early development of criminal profiling?

James Brussel Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of geographic profiling?

Offenders do not travel long distances from home to commit crimes Signup and view all the answers

According to surveys of police officers, what is one of the benefits of using criminal profiles in investigations?

Providing a greater understanding of the case Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of criminal profiling, as identified by Alison et al. (2003)?

Profiles contain ambiguous advice Signup and view all the answers

In the study by Pinizzotto et al (1990), which group performed better with the sex offense case?

Profilers Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with geographic profiling if the sample size is not large enough?

It becomes less accurate Signup and view all the answers

What was the finding of the study by Kocsis et al. (2000)?

Psychologists were slightly better than police and psychics Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of respondents indicated that profiles led to the identification of the offender?

2.6% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of profiling opinions were considered ambiguous in the study by Alison et al. (2003)?

24% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between Organised and Disorganised crime scenes according to the FBI approach?

The level of planning and control exhibited Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is associated with an Organised offender?

Intelligent and socially competent Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the FBI approach?

It cannot account for mixed offender profiles Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Statistical Approach?

To reveal a typology of criminal behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the Statistical Approach?

The analysis is only as good as the data fed into it Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a Disorganised crime scene?

There is minimal conversation with the victim Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an Organised offender?

They are sexually competent Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criticism of the research on the FBI approach?

Little research has examined the model Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the uses of polygraph in criminal investigations?

To verify that a crime has occurred Signup and view all the answers

In which country is the polygraph prohibited from use in criminal investigations?

New South Wales (NSW) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem with the Relevant/Irrelevant Test?

Innocent people may worry about their response to relevant questions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of control questions in the Control Question Test (CQT)?

To relate to issues involved in the case, but not the crime itself Signup and view all the answers

In which countries is the polygraph not used as part of the formal legal process?

Australia, UK, and most of Europe Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the Relevant/Irrelevant Test and the Control Question Test (CQT)?

The type of questions asked Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the pre-test interview in the CQT?

To formulate yes/no questions with the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What is the Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT) type of polygraph test?

One of the three main types of polygraph tests Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of respondents agreed that a failed CQT could be admitted as evidence in court?

24% Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying principle behind Voice Stress Analysis (VSA)?

Stress caused by lying changes the voice Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of the polygraph, according to the text?

It does not work reliably enough to be regarded as a lie detector Signup and view all the answers

What is the current state of brain-based lie detection research?

The results are inconsistent and not yet admissible in court Signup and view all the answers

What is the conclusion about the contribution of profilers to investigations?

They do not contribute much to investigations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of recent research in lie detection?

Investigating EEG and fMRI techniques Signup and view all the answers

According to the Lie Detectors Act 1983, what is restricted?

The use of Voice Stress Analysis instruments Signup and view all the answers

What is the promising development in profiling?

More profiling is becoming evidence-based Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The History of Criminal Profiling

Brussel's (1968) profile of the "Mad Bomber" is considered a milestone in the origins of criminal profiling
In the 1970s, the FBI developed a criminal profiling program, which has since been replicated internationally

Methods of Profiling

Deductive Criminal Profiling: profiles the background characteristics of an unknown offender based on evidence left at the crime scene
- Relies on logical reasoning, but underlying logic can be faulty
Inductive Criminal Profiling: profiles the background characteristics of an unknown offender based on what we know about other solved cases
- Relies on determining how likely it is an offender will possess certain background characteristics given their prevalence among known offenders

The FBI Approach

Developed by the Behavioral Science Unit in the 1980s
Interviews with 36 convicted sexually motivated murderers led to the distinction between Organised and Disorganised crime scenes
Organised crime scenes: planned in advance, specific victim targeted, controlled conversation, crime scene shows signs of control, restraint used, evidence and weapon removed, body moved and hidden
Disorganised crime scenes: spontaneous offence, victim depersonalised, minimal conversation, chaotic scene, sudden violence, little use of restraints, body left in view at scene, evidence and weapon present
Profile of an organised offender: intelligent, socially competent, skilled job, sexually competent, lives with partner, follows details of crime in news
Profile of a disorganised offender: average IQ, immature, poor work history, sexually incompetent, lives alone, lives near crime scene, little interest in media, little change in lifestyle after murder

Problems with the FBI Approach

Little research has examined the model, but that which has been conducted raises serious doubts
Cannot account for offenders who display a mix of organised and disorganised features

Statistical Approach

Data collected from solved crimes is analysed using complex statistics
Reveals a typology of groups of actions that tend to occur together
Problem is that the analysis is only as good as the data fed into it, and the sample size is often too small

Geographic Profiling

Involves an analysis of crime scene locations to determine the most probable area of offender residence
Assumes that offenders do not travel long distances from home to commit the majority of their crimes
Can be quite accurate in many cases

Accuracy of Profilers

Surveys of police officers indicate profiling is useful in investigations, but only 2.6% of respondents indicated that profiles led to the identification of the offender
Profiles often contain ambiguous advice that can be interpreted to fit a wide range of suspects

Polygraph Use

Helps in criminal investigations, verifies a crime has occurred, and is used for pre-employment screening
Use of polygraphs is limited in many countries, including Australia and most of Europe

Types of Polygraph Tests

Relevant/Irrelevant Test: asks questions relevant and irrelevant to the crime
Control Question Test (CQT): includes irrelevant, relevant, and control questions
Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT): asks questions about specific details of the crime

Current Directions

Voice Stress Analysis (VSA): measures changes in voice when lying, but most research has found results no greater than chance at distinguishing lying and truth-telling
Brain-Based Lie Detection: uses electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), but results are not yet consistent enough to be admissible in court

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Description

Explore the origins and development of criminal profiling, including the FBI's program and different methods such as deductive, inductive, and geographic profiling.