Questions and Answers
What are the three general assumptions of Psychological Profiling?
The crime scene reflects personality, the offender's personality will not change, and the signature will remain the same.
What is the definition of Psychological Profiling?
The attempt to categorize, understand, and predict the behavior of certain types of offenders based on behavioral clues they provide.
The basic premise of Psychological Profiling is that 'Behavior reflects...' what?
Personality
What is the term that often refers to microscopic evidence such as hair, fibers, blood, and DNA, typically created when objects make contact?
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What is Locard's Exchange Principle?
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What involves the choice of a particular crime to commit and the selection of a method of committing it?
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What describes an offender's actions which are unnecessary for the commission of a crime and reflect the emotional or psychological needs of the offender?
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What is the name for evidence that cannot be linked to a particular person or object, but only to a group?
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What is the name for evidence that can be linked to a specific person or object?
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What is the name of the computer database that facilitates communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies investigating serial offenders?
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What is the term for the inability for law enforcement to link crimes committed by the same offender?
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What are the five criminal profiling methods?
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What are the three categories of the Organized / Disorganized Dichotomy?
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Of the five criminal profiling methods, which is known as 'the FBI Method'?
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What are the three benefits of Psychological Profiling?
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Study Notes
Psychological Profiling Overview
- Three general assumptions: Crime scene reflects personality, offender's personality remains constant, and the signature is unchanged.
- Psychological profiling aims to categorize, understand, and predict offender behaviors based on behavioral clues.
Key Concepts in Profiling
- Behavior reflects personality: Basic premise of psychological profiling emphasizing the link between actions and character.
- Trace evidence: Microscopic evidence created through contact, including hair, fibers, blood, and DNA.
- Locard's Exchange Principle: Every contact leaves a trace, highlighting the importance of forensic evidence.
Criminal Behavior Analysis
- Modus Operandi (MO): Refers to the choice of crime and method used, essential for understanding the offender's approach.
- Signature: Actions that go beyond the necessary for the crime, indicating emotional or psychological needs of the offender.
Types of Evidence
- Class evidence: Cannot be linked to a specific person or object, only to a group.
- Individual evidence: Can be linked to a specific person or object.
Tools and Principles
- ViCAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program): A computer database that aids in communication and coordination among law enforcement to track and apprehend serial offenders.
- Linkage blindness: The inability of law enforcement to connect crimes committed by the same offender, often hindering investigations.
Methods of Criminal Profiling
- Five profiling methods:
- Diagnostic Evaluations
- Criminal Investigative Analysis (known as "the FBI Method")
- Investigative Psychology
- Geographic Profiling
- Behavioral Evidence Analysis
- Organized / Disorganized Dichotomy: Classifies offenders into Organized, Disorganized, or Mixed categories.
Benefits of Psychological Profiling
- Provides leads for police investigations and focuses investigator efforts.
- Assists in developing interview techniques and trial strategies for suspects.
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Description
Test your knowledge on psychological profiling with this quiz. Explore the key assumptions and definitions pertaining to this fascinating field of study. Perfect for psychology students or anyone interested in criminal behavior analysis.
