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**Topic-6** **Eye-witness Testimony and False Memories** **Introduction** **Eyewitnesses can provide very compelling legal testimony, but rather than recording experiences flawlessly, their memories are susceptible to a variety of errors and biases. They (*like the rest of us*) can make errors in...

**Topic-6** **Eye-witness Testimony and False Memories** **Introduction** **Eyewitnesses can provide very compelling legal testimony, but rather than recording experiences flawlessly, their memories are susceptible to a variety of errors and biases. They (*like the rest of us*) can make errors in remembering specific details and can even remember whole events that did not actually happen.** **What Is Eyewitness Testimony?** - ***If two people witness the same event will they both report seeing the same things?*** - **Eyewitness testimony is what happens when a person witnesses a crime (or accident, or other legally important event) and later gets up on the stand and recalls for the court all the details of the witnessed event. It involves a more complicated process than might initially be presumed. It includes what happens during the actual crime to facilitate or hamper witnessing, as well as everything that happens from the time the event is over to the later courtroom appearance. The eyewitness may be interviewed by the police and numerous lawyers, describe the perpetrator to several different people, and make an identification of the perpetrator, among other things.** - **Why Is Eyewitness Testimony an Important Area of Psychological Research?** - **When an eyewitness stands up in front of the court and describes what happened from her own perspective, this testimony can be extremely compelling---it is hard for those hearing this testimony to take it "with a grain of salt," or otherwise adjust its power. But to what extent is this necessary?** - **There is now a wealth of evidence, from research conducted over several decades, suggesting that eyewitness testimony is probably the most persuasive form of evidence presented in court, but in many cases, its accuracy is dubious. There is also evidence that mistaken eyewitness evidence can lead to wrongful conviction** - **Misinformation** - ***Misinformation can be introduced into the memory of a witness between the time of seeing an event and reporting it later.*** - **Kinds of Memory Biases** - **Memory is also susceptible to a wide variety of other biases and errors. People can forget events that happened to them and people they once knew. They can mix up details across time and place. They can even remember whole complex events that never happened at all. Importantly, these errors, once made, can be very hard to unmake.** - **Tip-of-the-tongue effect(TOT Effect)** - **Some small memory errors are commonplace, and you have no doubt experienced many of them. You set down your keys without paying attention, and then cannot find them later when you go to look for them. You try to come up with a person's name but cannot find it, even though you have the sense that it is right at the tip of your tongue** **Role of Memory** **Basic Principles of Memory** **The most common model postulates three stages in memory processing:** - **Encoding** - **Storage** - **Retrieval** **Memory errors can occur at one, two, or all three stages.** **Type of eye witness memory** 1. **Recall** 2. **Recognition** **Examination of eye witness issues** **Eyewitness issues can be studied using a variety of methods.** 1. **Laboratory Stimulation** 2. **Archival data** 3. **Naturalistic environment** **Eyewitness Testimony** - **Reconstructive memory** - **Schema driven errors** - **Effect of leading questions** - **Other factors** - **Weapon focus** - **Effects of anxiety/arousal** - **Age of witness** **Reconstructive Memory** - **Bartlett (1932)** - **Memory is not a direct record of what was witnessed** - **What is encoded and how it is retrieved depends on:** - **Information already stored in memory** - **How this info is understood, structured and organized** - **Schemas** - **Knowledge structures that relate to commonly encountered objects, situations or people** - **Enable us to predict events, make sense of unfamiliar circumstances, organize our own behavior** - **Act as filters to perception & recall** **EWT(Eye witness testimony): Schema Driven Errors** - **Witnesses to crimes filter information during acquisition & recall** - **Their schematic understanding may influence how info is both stored & retrieved** - **Distortions may occur without the witness realising** - **Past experiences** - **Assumptions about what usually happens** - **Stereotypes & beliefs about crime & criminals** **Factors that affect Eye Witness Testimony** **Stereotypes - Allport and Postman (1947) Participants shown a cartoon of a black and a white man on a subway train. Most recalled that the black man had the razor in his hand. The razor was actually in the white man's hand. (stereotype -- more prone to violence).** **Conclusion: When an actual perceptual fact doesn't match our expectations, we trust our expectation more than the real situation.** **We see what we expect to see and this forms the basis for the memory for an event.** **Factors that affect Eye Witness Testimony** **Stereotypes - Allport and Postman (1947) Participants shown a cartoon of a black and a white man on a subway train. Most recalled that the black man had the razor in his hand. The razor was actually in the white man's hand. (stereotype -- more prone to violence).** **Conclusion: When an actual perceptual fact doesn't match our expectations, we trust our expectation more than the real situation.** **We see what we expect to see and this forms the basis for the memory for an event.** **EWT: Leading Questions** - **Loftus (1970s onwards)** - **Effect of leading questions on recall** - **Leading questions introduce new information** - **Leading info may activate wrong schemas in witness' mind** - **Consequently, witness may recall events incorrectly** **Factors that affect reconstructive memory** **How witnesses are interviewed -- leading questions, facial techniques, tone of voice of interview may unintentionally communicate their expectations (what they want to hear).** **Eye Witness Testimony** **Elizabeth Loftus (70's) Research)** **Illustrated the reconstructive nature of memory.** **Star Study: Loftus and Palmer (1974)** **The role of misleading questions?** **In her research Loftus showed that memories can be affected by the wording of questions.** **A leading question is a question about an event that is phrased in such a way as to prompt a particular answer.** **Information is provided in the question (i.e. after the event) which may distort the accuracy of the memory.** **Do people believe EWT's?** **Loftus (1974) shows that people tend to believe a suspect is guilty if there is an eyewitness.** **So it is very important that psychologists find out why EWT is inaccurate and how to improve accuracy.** **What other factors affect Eye Witness Testimony?** 1. **Anxiety** 2. **Age of witness** 3. **Can we rely on the testimony of children and older people?** **Situational Factors That May Affect Eyewitness Identification** - **Stress/Arousal** - **Weapon Focus** - ***Post-Event Factors That May Affect Eyewitness Identification*** - **Passage of Time** **Anxiety: Weapon Focus** - **When a weapon is used to threaten a victim, their attention is likely to focus on it** - **Consequently, their recall of other information is likely to be poor** **EWT: Arousal Effects** - **Memory is most effective at moderate arousal levels** - **If the witness was in a state of extremely low or high arousal then recall may be poor** **Yuille and Cutshall (86)** - **Assessed level of arousal and accuracy of testimonies from 13 witnesses to real robberies or murders.** - **Less accurate recall when levels of arousal were high than low, BUT very high arousal led to better recall than moderate.** - **Does not match Yerkes-Dodson Law** - **Could be explained by how close (proximity) witnesses were to the crime** - **Closest are more stressed, but have better view** **Freud (1894)** - **Repression -- motivated forgetting** - **Traumatic memories become inaccessible (in unconscious) to protect us from being upset by them.** - **Conflicting evidence for this theory** **Age of Witness and EWT** **Children** - **Brennan and Brennan (88)** **6-15 year olds failed to understand 1/3 of questions asked by lawyers.** - **More correct answers when asked more simple questions (Carter et al 96)** - **'Tags' -- 'didn't she' added at end -- led to more yes answers than when tag not there (Krackow and Lynn 03)** - **Children --** - **Children often change answers if question repeated. (Samuel and Bryant, 84. Blades and Krahenbuhl, 06)** - **Memon et al (06) -- positive, but not negative stereotypes affect children's judgements about people.** - **Defendents with more positive stereotype less likely to considered guilty.** - **Assumption by police and society that Memory fails with age, so less reliable Eye witnesses.** - **Backed up by:** - **(Holliday, '05), Brimacombe et al ('97), Wright and Holliday ('07)** - **Age of witness made no difference in cognitive interviews (next lesson!!)** **Interviews with Witnesses** **The process of interviewing a witness so as to maximize the amount of accurate information and minimize the amount of inaccurate information retrieved.** ***General Principles for Interviewing Witnesses*** - **Begin the interview by developing rapport with the witness.** - **Remain neutral and objective.** - **Ask open-ended questions that become more structured only if necessary and only as the interview progresses.** - **Avoid the use of leading (or misleading) questions.** - **Allow the interviewee to control the interview.** **Facilitating Eye witness recall** 1. **Hypnosis** 2. **Cognitive Interview** 3. **Enhance Cognitive Interview** **Line-up Procedure** **Type of Line-up** **Accurate Identification Decisions** **Type of line-up judgements** **Line up process** **Line-up Procedure Effectiveness** **Fair Line-up** **Baised Line-up** **The Misinformation effect** **Archival Research** **Details of above ten heading is explained in detail during lecture** **\ ** **Topic-7** **Introduction to Criminal Profiling** Criminal profiling is a forensic and investigative tool used to identify and predict the characteristics of an unknown offender based on crime scene evidence, victimology, and behavioral patterns. Profilers aim to develop a psychological, behavioral, and demographic description of potential suspects, aiding law enforcement in narrowing down leads or understanding offender motives. **Key Elements of Criminal Profiling:** 1. **Behavioral Patterns:** Identifying consistent behaviors or signatures across different crimes committed by the same offender. 2. **Psychological Analysis:** Understanding the psychological traits and mental state of the criminal based on crime scene behavior. 3. **Demographic Information:** Estimating characteristics such as age, gender, education, and socio-economic background. 4. **Victimology:** Studying the victims to understand why they were targeted, often providing clues about the offender\'s mindset. **Purpose:** - **Assistance in Investigations:** Helps investigators narrow down suspects by providing psychological and behavioral clues. - **Understanding Motives:** Offers insight into why crimes were committed, including the emotional or psychological triggers behind the acts. - **Predicting Future Crimes:** Profiling helps predict potential future offenses by understanding patterns and the progression of an offender\'s behavior. **Evolution of Criminal Profiling:** - **Early Developments:** Initially used in the 19th century, profiling gained prominence with cases like Jack the Ripper. - **Modern Techniques:** Today, profiling incorporates psychological theories, forensic science, and advanced technology, such as Geographic Profiling and Behavioral Evidence Analysis. **Criminal Profiling in Forensic Science:** Criminal profiling is an interdisciplinary method combining elements of forensic psychology, criminology, and law enforcement, making it a crucial component in the investigation of serious crimes such as serial murders, sexual assaults, and arson. In Malaysia, the use of profiling is growing, with law enforcement increasingly relying on psychological and behavioral insights to aid in criminal investigations. However, the approach is still evolving and faces challenges related to resources and expertise. ### Historical Development of Criminal Profiling Criminal profiling has evolved significantly over the centuries, blending psychological insights, forensic science, and investigative techniques. The practice of identifying criminal characteristics based on crime scene evidence has its roots in early human history but gained prominence in the 19th century and has since developed into a crucial tool in modern law enforcement. #### Early Origins (Pre-20th Century) One of the earliest documented uses of criminal profiling was during the pursuit of **Jack the Ripper** in London in the late 1880s. Dr. Thomas Bond, a physician, provided one of the first known criminal profiles by analyzing the wounds of the victims and offering insights into the personality and behavioral traits of the offender. Although Bond's profile did not lead to Jack the Ripper's capture, it set the foundation for profiling techniques used today. #### Early 20th Century Developments The early 20th century saw the development of **psychoanalytic theories** by Sigmund Freud, which influenced profiling by emphasizing the role of the subconscious mind in criminal behavior. Around the same time, criminologists began to study **recidivism** and patterns of behavior among offenders, giving rise to inductive profiling techniques based on statistical data. In the United States, psychiatrist **Dr. Walter Langer** famously created a psychological profile of Adolf Hitler during World War II, predicting his behavior based on psychoanalysis and intelligence reports. This marked a shift towards profiling not just for crime-solving but also for anticipating behaviors of significant individuals. #### Mid-20th Century: The FBI and the Birth of Modern Profiling The modern era of criminal profiling began in the 1970s with the **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** in the U.S. FBI agents **Howard Teten** and **Patrick Mullany** pioneered the behavioral profiling of violent offenders, developing the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU). They interviewed serial killers and violent criminals, studying their motivations and behaviors to create more accurate profiles of offenders. During this time, **Robert Ressler** and **John Douglas** further expanded profiling techniques by creating a database of offender characteristics, which helped develop the FBI's Criminal Personality Research Project. They introduced the concept of the **organized and disorganized offender**, categorizing criminals based on their level of planning and control during crimes. #### Late 20th Century: Profiling Goes Global Criminal profiling gained global recognition during the 1980s and 1990s. The techniques developed by the FBI were adopted by law enforcement agencies worldwide, including in the UK, Australia, and Canada. The field also began incorporating **geographic profiling**, which focuses on analyzing the locations of crimes to predict an offender's base of operations. In Malaysia, criminal profiling began to emerge during this period, largely influenced by international practices. #### 21st Century: Technological Integration Today, criminal profiling has evolved into a sophisticated blend of psychology, criminology, and data analysis. Technological advances, such as the use of **Artificial Intelligence (AI)** and **Big Data** for predictive policing, have expanded the capacity to analyze vast amounts of behavioral data, enabling law enforcement to predict future offenses more accurately. **Geographic Information Systems (GIS)** and other forensic technologies are now integral to the profiling process, helping investigators track offenders across vast areas. Criminal profiling continues to evolve, especially in regions like Malaysia, where local law enforcement increasingly recognizes its value in solving complex crimes such as serial killings, cybercrime, and terrorism. While challenges remain, particularly regarding cultural adaptation and resource availability, the future of profiling promises to be more precise and data-driven than ever before. **Example Case Studies for Criminal Profiling** **1. The Jack the Ripper Case (UK, 1888)** - **Background:** One of the first known uses of criminal profiling, during the unsolved murders of women in London. - **Profiler:** Dr. Thomas Bond, a police surgeon, analyzed the nature of the wounds inflicted on victims to suggest that the killer had anatomical knowledge. - **Outcome:** Although Bond\'s profile did not identify Jack the Ripper, it laid the groundwork for future profiling techniques, particularly in identifying psychological characteristics based on crime scene behavior. **2. The BTK Killer Case (USA, 1974--2005)** - **Background:** Dennis Rader, known as the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) Killer, terrorized Kansas for over 30 years, committing a series of brutal murders. - **Profiler:** The FBI\'s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) developed a detailed profile, which included predictions about the offender's control-driven personality, methods of operating, and likely communication style. - **Outcome:** Rader was caught in 2005 after a combination of modern forensics and profiling. The FBI's profile helped narrow down the type of suspect and informed investigative strategies. **3. The Mad Bomber of New York (USA, 1940s-1950s)** - **Background:** George Metesky planted numerous bombs in New York City over a 16-year period. The case baffled police for years. - **Profiler:** Dr. James A. Brussel, a psychiatrist, was brought in to assist the investigation. He provided a detailed psychological profile that accurately predicted several aspects of the bomber\'s life, including his age, employment history, and even that he would be wearing a buttoned-up double-breasted suit when caught. - **Outcome:** The profile was remarkably accurate, leading to Metesky's arrest in 1957. This case became one of the most famous examples of early criminal profiling success. **4. Malaysia's Mona Fandey Case (Malaysia, 1993)** - **Background:** Mona Fandey, a former pop singer-turned-witch doctor, was convicted of murdering politician Datuk Mazlan Idris in a gruesome ritual killing. - **Profiler:** Although Malaysia at the time had limited use of formal profiling, forensic evidence and psychological evaluations helped the prosecution. The bizarre and ritualistic nature of the crime would have benefited from profiling expertise, as it involved psychological manipulation and power dynamics. - **Outcome:** Mona Fandey was convicted and executed, with her case raising questions about psychological motivations behind such ritualistic crimes in Malaysia. **5. The Anthony Hardy Case (UK, 2003)** - **Background:** Anthony Hardy, known as the \"Camden Ripper,\" murdered several women and dismembered their bodies. - **Profiler:** Investigators used a combination of psychological profiling and forensic evidence to link the murders, focusing on Hardy\'s history of mental illness and obsession with power and control over women. - **Outcome:** Profiling techniques helped link Hardy to multiple victims, leading to his conviction and life sentence. **Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Profiling** Criminal profiling is rooted in several key psychological, criminological, and forensic theories. These theories help explain the behavioral patterns and motivations of offenders, laying the foundation for profiling techniques used in investigations. **1. Psychodynamic Theory** - **Founder:** Sigmund Freud - **Core Concept:** Criminal behavior arises from unconscious conflicts, childhood experiences, and repressed emotions. - **Application in Profiling:** Profilers analyze offenders\' subconscious motives, such as unresolved emotional trauma or deep-seated urges, which may manifest in their crimes. For example, offenders may act out unresolved aggression or sexual impulses in violent ways, and profiling helps to uncover these underlying psychological triggers. **2. Behavioral Theory** - **Founders:** B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson - **Core Concept:** Human behavior is learned and reinforced through rewards or punishments, and criminal behavior is the result of conditioning or environmental stimuli. - **Application in Profiling:** Criminal profiling often considers the learned behaviors of offenders. By studying how criminals adapt or change their methods based on previous crimes or external pressures (e.g., evading law enforcement), profilers can predict future actions. Behavioral theory also helps in understanding offender \"signatures\" --- unique behaviors they consistently exhibit during crimes. **3. Cognitive Theory** - **Founder:** Jean Piaget, Aaron Beck (cognitive distortions) - **Core Concept:** Criminal behavior is influenced by cognitive processes, such as distorted thinking patterns or faulty reasoning. - **Application in Profiling:** Profilers assess how offenders rationalize their actions and make decisions. Cognitive distortions, such as blaming the victim or justifying criminal acts, are common in many offenders. Understanding these thought patterns aids in constructing profiles that predict how the offender may behave or escalate over time. **4. Social Learning Theory** - **Founder:** Albert Bandura - **Core Concept:** People learn behaviors through observing others, imitating actions, and modeling behaviors seen in society, media, or personal environments. - **Application in Profiling:** Social learning theory explains how offenders may imitate criminal behavior they've observed in family, peers, or media (such as violent movies or video games). Profilers use this to understand the social contexts that contribute to an offender's behavior and may suggest whether an individual works alone or is influenced by a group or subculture. **5. Routine Activity Theory** - **Founders:** Marcus Felson, Lawrence Cohen - **Core Concept:** Crime occurs when three elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian (e.g., law enforcement). - **Application in Profiling:** Routine activity theory helps profilers understand how offenders select victims and locations. By studying crime patterns, profilers can suggest where an offender might strike next or identify potential vulnerable targets. This theory is also useful in geographic profiling, where the locations of crimes are analyzed to predict the offender\'s base of operations. **6. Rational Choice Theory** - **Core Concept:** Offenders are rational actors who make decisions to commit crimes after weighing the risks and rewards. - **Application in Profiling:** Profilers examine how criminals plan their actions and weigh consequences, such as choosing secluded locations or using specific methods to avoid detection. This theory helps in profiling organized criminals who carefully plan their crimes to minimize risks. **7. Personality Theory** - **Core Concept:** An individual's personality traits---such as impulsiveness, aggression, or lack of empathy---can predispose them to criminal behavior. - **Application in Profiling:** Criminal profilers often assess personality traits to predict behavior. Psychopathy, as outlined in the **Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R)**, is one such personality disorder profilers assess in serial killers and other violent offenders. Profilers may also use traits such as narcissism or antisocial personality disorder to understand the offender's motivation and predict future actions. **8. Geographical Profiling Theory** - **Founder:** Kim Rossmo - **Core Concept:** Offenders tend to commit crimes within a specific geographical area or comfort zone, based on their routines and familiar locations. - **Application in Profiling:** Geographical profiling helps law enforcement predict an offender's residence or place of work based on the locations of their crimes. This is particularly useful in cases involving serial offenders, as patterns in the geographical dispersion of crimes can narrow down potential suspects. **9. Environmental Criminology** - **Core Concept:** The physical environment and external factors can play a role in shaping criminal behavior. - **Application in Profiling:** Profilers consider how environmental factors, such as urban design, lighting, or access to victims, influence the likelihood of crime. Criminals may select locations that provide easy escape routes or limited surveillance, and understanding this helps profilers predict where future crimes might occur. **Types of Criminal Profiling** Criminal profiling is categorized into different types, each with a specific focus and methodology. These types are used based on the nature of the crime, the available evidence, and the behavior of the offender. Below are the primary types of criminal profiling: **1. Inductive Profiling** - **Definition:** Inductive profiling is based on statistical data and known patterns of behavior from past crimes. It involves generalizing characteristics from a broad set of similar cases to create a profile. - **Process:** Profilers compare the current case with previously solved cases to identify similar traits among offenders, such as age, gender, or lifestyle. - **Strengths:** Useful in generating quick profiles in cases where there is limited information. - **Limitations:** It relies heavily on existing databases, and individual offenders may not fit typical patterns. - **Example:** Analyzing the characteristics of serial killers to predict the behavior of a new offender in a similar case. **2. Deductive Profiling** - **Definition:** Deductive profiling is a case-specific method that involves deriving a profile directly from the evidence at the crime scene, including physical evidence, the offender's modus operandi (MO), and victimology. - **Process:** Profilers reconstruct the crime, understanding the actions and decisions made by the offender during the crime, which can reveal their personality, motivations, and potential future behavior. - **Strengths:** Tailored to the specific crime, providing detailed insights into the offender. - **Limitations:** Requires extensive forensic and psychological expertise; a wrong interpretation of the evidence can lead to inaccurate profiles. - **Example:** Profiling based on the nature of the wounds on a victim and the specific actions taken by the offender during the crime. **3. Clinical Profiling** - **Definition:** Clinical profiling draws from psychology and psychiatry to evaluate an offender's mental state and personality traits. It often involves understanding how certain psychological conditions (e.g., psychopathy, schizophrenia) influence criminal behavior. - **Process:** Profilers use psychological assessments, offender interviews, and evaluations of mental health records to create a detailed psychological profile. - **Strengths:** Effective for identifying mentally ill offenders and those with personality disorders. - **Limitations:** Requires access to mental health records, which may not always be available. - **Example:** Profiling a suspect as having psychopathic traits based on the lack of remorse and calculated nature of their crimes. **4. Geographical Profiling** - **Definition:** Geographical profiling focuses on analyzing the locations of a series of crimes to determine the probable home or operational base of the offender. - **Process:** Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping tools, profilers analyze the spatial patterns of crimes and predict where the offender might live or work. - **Strengths:** Particularly useful for cases involving multiple crimes, such as serial offenses, as it can help narrow down search areas. - **Limitations:** Less effective in single-offense cases or where the crime locations do not follow a clear pattern. - **Example:** Identifying an offender's base of operations by analyzing the geographical spread of their crimes. **5. Behavioral Evidence Analysis (BEA)** - **Definition:** BEA is a deductive method that relies heavily on crime scene evidence, victimology, and the offender\'s behavior during and after the crime. - **Process:** Profilers build the profile based on the offender's decisions at the crime scene, the nature of the attack, and how the offender interacted with the victim. - **Strengths:** Highly detailed and focused on the offender's specific behavior, leading to a customized profile. - **Limitations:** Labor-intensive and requires detailed crime scene analysis. - **Example:** Determining whether an offender is organized or disorganized based on how they controlled the crime scene. **6. Investigative Psychology** - **Definition:** Developed by David Canter, investigative psychology integrates psychology with investigative methods to analyze criminal behavior systematically. - **Process:** This method uses statistical data and psychological principles to understand the relationships between the crime scene, the victim, and the offender. - **Strengths:** Combines elements of both inductive and deductive profiling, offering a comprehensive view of the crime. - **Limitations:** Relatively new compared to other profiling methods, and its effectiveness depends on the quality of the data collected. - **Example:** Analyzing how an offender\'s interactions with the victim reflect broader psychological patterns of offending. **7. Psychological Profiling** - **Definition:** Psychological profiling involves creating a profile based on the psychological characteristics of the offender, such as personality traits, motivations, and mental health issues. - **Process:** Profilers use psychological testing and theories to predict an offender's behavior, drawing on interviews with offenders or studying case files and behaviors. - **Strengths:** Provides a deep understanding of an offender's psyche, motivations, and potential for future criminal behavior. - **Limitations:** Time-consuming and requires access to psychological assessments. - **Example:** Profiling a serial offender based on narcissistic or antisocial personality traits that drive their crimes. **The Criminal Profiling Process** The criminal profiling process is a systematic approach used by law enforcement to develop a comprehensive profile of an unknown offender based on the analysis of crime scenes, victimology, and behavioral patterns. This process typically involves several key steps: **1. Crime Scene Analysis** - **Definition:** This is the initial step where profilers examine the physical evidence left at the crime scene. - **Process:** Investigators collect data regarding the crime scene layout, the nature of the crime, and any physical evidence (e.g., fingerprints, DNA, weapons) that can provide insight into the offender's behavior and methods. - **Goal:** To establish a clear understanding of how the crime was committed, including the offender\'s actions, decision-making process, and the level of planning involved. **2. Victimology** - **Definition:** Victimology is the study of the victim\'s characteristics and their relationship to the offender. - **Process:** Profilers analyze the victim\'s lifestyle, background, and any potential connections to the offender. This may include interviewing family, friends, and acquaintances to gather information about the victim\'s habits and relationships. - **Goal:** To determine why the victim was targeted, which can provide critical insights into the offender's motivations and preferences. **3. Behavioral Analysis** - **Definition:** This step involves examining the behavior exhibited by the offender during and after the crime. - **Process:** Profilers assess the offender\'s modus operandi (MO), which refers to the methods and techniques they use to commit the crime, and any signature behaviors that may be unique to the offender. - **Goal:** To identify patterns in the offender\'s behavior that can indicate their psychological state, personality traits, and potential future actions. **4. Data Integration** - **Definition:** This step involves compiling and analyzing all the gathered information from previous steps. - **Process:** Profilers integrate data from crime scene analysis, victimology, and behavioral analysis to create a cohesive profile of the offender. - **Goal:** To synthesize all findings into a comprehensive profile that includes the offender\'s potential demographics (age, gender, ethnicity), personality traits, and behavioral patterns. **5. Profile Construction** - **Definition:** The actual creation of the criminal profile based on the integrated data. - **Process:** Profilers outline the characteristics of the offender, including their likely psychological makeup, possible motivations, and behavioral patterns. This may also involve predicting the offender\'s next move or future crimes. - **Goal:** To produce a profile that can be used by law enforcement to narrow down suspect lists and guide investigative strategies. **6. Review and Validation** - **Definition:** After constructing the profile, it is important to review and validate the findings against any additional evidence that may come to light. - **Process:** Investigators may compare the constructed profile with any known suspects or similar cases. If new evidence emerges, the profile may be revised to reflect this information. - **Goal:** To ensure that the profile is as accurate and useful as possible for ongoing investigations. **7. Application of the Profile** - **Definition:** The final step involves using the profile in the investigation and operational strategies. - **Process:** Law enforcement agencies use the profile to focus their investigations, interview potential suspects, and plan surveillance operations. - **Goal:** To facilitate the identification and apprehension of the offender, increasing the chances of solving the case. **Predicting Offending Behaviours** Predicting offending behaviors is a critical aspect of criminal profiling that seeks to understand and anticipate future actions of offenders based on their past behaviors, psychological characteristics, and situational factors. This process involves various techniques and methodologies that help law enforcement agencies prevent potential crimes and apprehend offenders more effectively. Here's a comprehensive overview of how predicting offending behaviors works: **1. Understanding Offender Typologies** - **Definition:** Offender typologies categorize individuals based on shared characteristics, motivations, and behavioral patterns. - **Types:** Common typologies include: - **Organized vs. Disorganized Offenders:** Organized offenders plan their crimes meticulously, while disorganized offenders act impulsively. - **Situational vs. Persistent Offenders:** Situational offenders commit crimes based on specific circumstances, while persistent offenders have a consistent pattern of criminal behavior. - **Goal:** By understanding these typologies, profilers can predict the likelihood of certain behaviors in future crimes. **2. Behavioral Consistency** - **Definition:** Behavioral consistency refers to the idea that offenders often repeat certain patterns of behavior across different crimes. - **Process:** Profilers analyze past offenses to identify consistent behaviors, such as: - **Modus Operandi (MO):** The specific methods and techniques used in committing crimes. - **Signature Behaviors:** Unique actions that an offender performs as part of the crime that goes beyond the basic requirements to commit the crime. - **Goal:** Establishing a link between past behaviors and predicting future actions can help in identifying and capturing offenders. **3. Psychological Profiling** - **Definition:** Psychological profiling uses insights from psychology to understand the mental state and personality traits of offenders. - **Process:** By assessing factors such as: - **Motivations:** Understanding the reasons behind an offender\'s actions (e.g., financial gain, revenge, thrill-seeking). - **Mental Health Issues:** Evaluating psychological disorders that may influence criminal behavior (e.g., antisocial personality disorder, substance abuse). - **Goal:** A detailed psychological profile can help predict how offenders might behave in future situations or crimes. **4. Risk Assessment Tools** - **Definition:** Risk assessment tools are structured frameworks used to evaluate the likelihood of an individual committing future offenses. - **Types:** Common tools include: - **Static Tools:** Based on historical data (e.g., previous offenses, age at first offense). - **Dynamic Tools:** Incorporate current factors (e.g., current mental health status, social environment). - **Goal:** These tools provide law enforcement with quantifiable metrics to assess and manage offenders\' risk levels effectively. **5. Environmental and Situational Factors** - **Definition:** Understanding how environmental and situational factors influence criminal behavior is essential for predicting offending behaviors. - **Factors to Consider:** - **Social Environment:** The impact of peer groups, family dynamics, and socio-economic conditions on an individual\'s propensity to offend. - **Opportunity:** The availability of potential victims or targets and how situational factors can facilitate or hinder criminal activity. - **Goal:** By analyzing these factors, profilers can identify potential scenarios in which offending behavior is likely to occur. **6. Statistical Analysis and Predictive Modeling** - **Definition:** Statistical analysis involves the use of data and algorithms to predict offending behaviors based on historical crime data. - **Process:** - **Data Collection:** Gathering data from previous cases, including offender demographics, crime types, and geographic locations. - **Modeling Techniques:** Using algorithms and statistical models (e.g., regression analysis, machine learning) to identify patterns and make predictions. - **Goal:** To create models that accurately predict the likelihood of certain crimes occurring based on various influencing factors. **7. Case Studies and Real-World Applications** - **Definition:** Analyzing past criminal cases provides valuable insights into predicting offending behaviors. - **Examples:** High-profile cases where profiling led to the apprehension of offenders can serve as practical illustrations. - **Case Study Example:** Profiling the behaviors of a serial offender can highlight the predictive accuracy of behavioral analysis and typology classification. - **Goal:** These case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of criminal profiling techniques in real-world scenarios and contribute to the development of predictive practices. **Psychological Theories in Criminal Profiling** Psychological theories play a crucial role in criminal profiling, providing insights into the motivations and behaviors of offenders. These theories help forensic psychologists and profilers understand the psychological makeup of criminals, which can be instrumental in predicting future behavior and developing effective investigative strategies. Here's an overview of some key psychological theories relevant to criminal profiling: **1. Psychodynamic Theory** - **Overview:** Developed by Sigmund Freud, psychodynamic theory emphasizes the influence of unconscious motivations and early childhood experiences on behavior. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profiler\'s focus on identifying unresolved conflicts and trauma that may drive an offender\'s behavior. - Understanding the psychological roots of criminal behavior, such as repressed anger or unresolved grief. - **Example:** An offender who experienced significant trauma in childhood may exhibit compulsive or violent behavior as an adult. **2. Behavioral Theory** - **Overview:** Behavioral theory posits that all behaviors, including criminal behavior, are learned through interactions with the environment. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profilers analyze the reinforcement and punishment mechanisms that shape an offender's actions. - Identifying learned behaviors that contribute to criminal activity, such as aggression learned from family dynamics or peer influence. - **Example:** A juvenile delinquent may develop criminal behavior through exposure to gang culture and positive reinforcement from peers. **3. Cognitive Theory** - **Overview:** Cognitive theory focuses on the mental processes involved in perceiving, thinking, and understanding the world, emphasizing how thought patterns influence behavior. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profilers assess an offender's thought processes and decision-making skills, often focusing on distortions in thinking that justify criminal behavior. - Identifying cognitive biases that may lead to criminal actions, such as minimization or rationalization of violent acts. - **Example:** An offender who believes they are justified in stealing due to perceived economic hardships might exhibit cognitive distortions that influence their criminal behavior. **4. Social Learning Theory** - **Overview:** Developed by Albert Bandura, social learning theory emphasizes the role of observational learning and imitation in behavior development. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profiler\'s focus on the influence of models (e.g., family members, media figures) on an individual's behavior. - Identifying social influences that lead to criminal behavior, particularly in youth. - **Example:** A teenager who witnesses family members engaging in illegal activities may imitate that behavior due to observed rewards (e.g., financial gain). **5. Strain Theory** - **Overview:** Proposed by Robert Merton, strain theory suggests that societal pressures can push individuals towards criminal behavior when they are unable to achieve culturally approved goals through legitimate means. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profilers assess the socioeconomic conditions that may lead to feelings of strain and frustration in individuals. - Identifying how perceived barriers to success contribute to criminal actions, such as theft or drug trafficking. - **Example:** An individual facing unemployment and poverty may resort to theft to achieve financial stability, viewing crime as a necessary means to an end. **6. Routine Activity Theory** - **Overview:** This theory suggests that the likelihood of a crime occurring is influenced by three factors: motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardianship. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profilers assess environmental factors that create opportunities for crime, including the presence of potential victims and the effectiveness of law enforcement. - Understanding how changes in routine activities can impact crime rates and offender behavior. - **Example:** A sudden increase in burglaries in a neighborhood may correlate with a rise in unguarded properties and decreased police patrols. **7. General Strain Theory** - **Overview:** Building on Merton\'s strain theory, Robert Agnew's general strain theory expands the concept by including various sources of strain that can lead to criminal behavior, such as loss of positive stimuli and exposure to negative stimuli. - **Application in Profiling:** - Profilers identify multiple sources of strain affecting an individual, including family conflict, loss of relationships, or societal discrimination. - Understanding how cumulative strains can lead to criminal behavior as a coping mechanism. - **Example:** An individual experiencing the death of a loved one, job loss, and relationship breakdown may turn to substance abuse or crime to cope with their emotional distress. **Investigative Psychology** Investigative psychology is a specialized field that applies psychological principles to the investigation of crime and criminal behavior. It seeks to understand the psychological aspects of criminal actions, provide insights into offender behavior, and assist law enforcement in solving crimes. Here's a comprehensive overview of investigative psychology, including its methods, applications, and significance in criminal profiling: **1. Definition and Scope** - **Overview:** Investigative psychology is the intersection of psychology and criminology, focusing on understanding criminal behavior, crime scenes, and the investigative process. - **Scope:** It encompasses various aspects, including: - Understanding offender characteristics. - Analyzing crime patterns. - Developing criminal profiles. - Assisting in interrogation and interviewing strategies. **2. Key Principles** - **Behavioral Analysis:** Understanding that criminal behavior often follows patterns that can be analyzed and predicted based on psychological principles. - **Offender Profiling:** Creating profiles of unknown offenders based on crime scene characteristics, victimology, and psychological traits. - **Victimology:** Studying the characteristics of victims to gain insights into the motivations of offenders and the dynamics of the crime. **3. Methods of Investigative Psychology** - **Data Analysis:** Using quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze crime statistics, case files, and behavioral evidence. - **Case Studies:** Examining specific criminal cases to identify patterns, motivations, and psychological profiles of offenders. - **Interviews and Surveys:** Conducting interviews with offenders, victims, and witnesses to gather psychological insights and behavioral data. - **Simulation and Modeling:** Creating simulations of criminal behavior to predict future actions and assess investigative strategies. **4. Applications of Investigative Psychology** - **Criminal Profiling:** Assisting law enforcement agencies in developing detailed profiles of unknown offenders based on crime scene analysis, victim characteristics, and psychological theories. - **Crime Scene Analysis:** Applying psychological principles to interpret evidence and behaviors exhibited at the crime scene, aiding in understanding the offender\'s actions. - **Interrogation Techniques:** Utilizing psychological insights to develop effective interrogation strategies that enhance information retrieval while minimizing coercion. - **Prevention Strategies:** Providing insights that can help law enforcement and community organizations develop crime prevention programs based on an understanding of criminal behavior patterns. **5. Offender Typologies in Investigative Psychology** - **Organized vs. Disorganized Offenders:** Classifying offenders based on their level of planning, control, and behavioral patterns during the commission of crimes. - **Situational Offenders:** Understanding how specific circumstances can lead to criminal behavior, focusing on the context rather than inherent traits. - **Repeat Offenders:** Identifying patterns in repeat offenders to predict future criminal activity and tailor intervention strategies. **6. The Role of Psychology in Investigative Processes** - **Cognitive Biases:** Recognizing how cognitive biases can influence investigative decisions and the interpretation of evidence. - **Emotional Factors:** Understanding how emotions and psychological states of both investigators and offenders can impact the investigative process. - **Communication:** Enhancing communication skills of law enforcement officers to improve interactions with victims, witnesses, and suspects based on psychological principles. **7. Challenges in Investigative Psychology** - **Complexity of Human Behavior:** The unpredictable nature of human behavior can complicate profiling and prediction efforts. - **Ethical Considerations:** Balancing the need for effective investigation with ethical considerations in profiling and interrogation practices. - **Integration with Law Enforcement:** Ensuring effective collaboration between psychologists and law enforcement to apply psychological insights in practical investigations. **Geographic Profiling** Geographic profiling is a technique used in criminal investigation that analyzes the locations of crimes to infer the likely residence or base of operations of an offender. This method is grounded in the principle that criminals often commit offenses within familiar areas, influenced by their personal geography, lifestyle, and routine activities. Here's a detailed overview of geographic profiling, its methods, applications, and significance in criminal investigations: **1. Definition and Importance** - **Overview:** Geographic profiling combines geographical analysis and psychological profiling to provide insights into an offender's likely home location based on crime scene data. - **Importance:** It aids law enforcement agencies in narrowing down suspect searches, prioritizing areas for investigation, and developing targeted prevention strategies. **2. Key Principles of Geographic Profiling** - **Crime Location Patterns:** Criminals tend to operate within familiar environments, which affects their choice of crime locations. This behavior can be analyzed to identify patterns. - **Distance Decay Principle:** The likelihood of a crime occurring decreases with increasing distance from the offender's home base. This principle helps determine how far an offender is likely to travel to commit a crime. - **Anchor Points:** Offenders may have specific anchor points (e.g., home, work, or places of social interaction) that influence their choice of crime locations. **3. Methods of Geographic Profiling** - **Spatial Analysis:** Analyzing the geographic distribution of crime locations using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software to identify patterns and hotspots. - **Buffering Techniques:** Creating buffer zones around crime locations to assess the potential residence area of the offender based on distance and crime frequency. - **Kernel Density Estimation:** A statistical method used to identify hotspots of criminal activity by smoothing the distribution of crime locations over an area. - **Route Analysis:** Examining potential routes that offenders may take to travel between crime scenes, considering factors like road networks and barriers. **4. Applications of Geographic Profiling** - **Serial Crime Investigation:** Particularly useful in cases of serial offenses (e.g., serial murder or rape) where understanding the geographic patterns can help identify the offender\'s residence. - **Resource Allocation:** Assisting law enforcement agencies in allocating resources more effectively by prioritizing areas with higher probabilities of criminal activity. - **Community Safety Initiatives:** Informing community safety programs by identifying geographic areas that may require increased policing or preventive measures. **5. Geographic Profiling Software** - **Commercial Software:** Tools like Rigel and CrimeStat are widely used to assist in geographic profiling, allowing investigators to analyze crime data and visualize patterns effectively. - **GIS Integration:** Many police departments utilize GIS technology to integrate geographic profiling with existing crime databases, enhancing analysis capabilities. **6. Challenges in Geographic Profiling** - **Data Limitations:** The effectiveness of geographic profiling depends on the quality and quantity of crime data available. Incomplete or inaccurate data can lead to flawed analysis. - **Variability in Criminal Behavior:** Not all offenders adhere to predictable geographic patterns, especially those who are highly mobile or who choose victims outside their usual environment. - **Community Factors:** Neighborhood dynamics, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental factors can also influence crime patterns, complicating the analysis. **Ethical Considerations in Criminal Profiling and Predicting Offending Behaviours** Criminal profiling and predicting offending behaviours raise significant ethical considerations that must be addressed to ensure responsible and fair practices in law enforcement and forensic psychology. These ethical dilemmas stem from the potential for bias, privacy concerns, and the consequences of profiling on individuals and communities. Here's a detailed overview of the ethical considerations associated with criminal profiling: **1. Accuracy and Reliability** - **Risk of False Positives:** Criminal profiling techniques may lead to inaccurate conclusions about individuals, resulting in wrongful accusations or assumptions about a person\'s character based on profiling results. - **Overgeneralization:** Profiles that are based on limited data may lead to stereotypes or generalized assumptions about certain groups, which can misinform investigations and result in unfair treatment of individuals. **2. Discrimination and Bias** - **Racial and Socioeconomic Bias:** Profiling can inadvertently reinforce existing biases, leading to disproportionate targeting of specific racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups. This can perpetuate systemic discrimination within the criminal justice system. - **Stereotyping:** Profiling may rely on stereotypes that do not accurately reflect the diversity within populations, leading to unfair profiling practices and unjust treatment of individuals based on their appearance or background. **3. Privacy Concerns** - **Invasion of Privacy:** The collection and analysis of personal data for profiling purposes may infringe on individuals' privacy rights. Sensitive information can be exposed without consent, raising ethical concerns regarding data handling and usage. - **Surveillance Issues:** Increasing use of surveillance technology in profiling can lead to unwarranted monitoring of individuals, fostering a culture of surveillance that may infringe on civil liberties. **4. Impact on Individuals and Communities** - **Psychological Impact:** Being subjected to profiling can lead to significant psychological distress for individuals, especially if they are wrongfully associated with criminal behaviour. - **Community Relations:** Profiling practices can harm relationships between law enforcement agencies and communities, particularly if communities feel unfairly targeted or criminalized based on profiling data. **5. Ethical Use of Technology** - **Transparency in Algorithms:** When using algorithmic tools for profiling, it is crucial to ensure transparency about how these algorithms work and the data on which they are based. Lack of transparency can lead to mistrust and misuse. - **Accountability:** There must be clear accountability measures for the use of technology in profiling, ensuring that any potential misuse can be addressed effectively. **6. Informed Consent** - **Consent for Data Collection:** Ethical practices require obtaining informed consent when collecting data for profiling, ensuring that individuals are aware of how their data will be used and the potential implications. - **Public Awareness:** Law enforcement agencies should engage in public education efforts to raise awareness about how profiling works, its benefits, and the ethical safeguards in place. **7. Professional Standards and Guidelines** - **Adherence to Ethical Codes:** Practitioners involved in profiling should adhere to established ethical codes and guidelines from professional organizations to ensure responsible practices. - **Ongoing Training:** Continuous training in ethics for law enforcement and forensic professionals is essential to keep them informed about the ethical implications of their work in profiling. **Topic-8** Developmental risk factors for criminal behaviour, social risk factors, parental and family risk factors, psychological risk factors, motives **Introduction** Criminal behaviour refers to actions that violate the laws of a society, and are considered punishable by legal authorities. It encompasses a wide range of illegal activities, from minor offenses like theft to more serious crimes like assault or murder. Criminal behaviour is influenced by various factors such as biology, environment, psychology, and social conditions, and is generally seen as any conduct that contravenes established legal and moral norms of a given society. **Importance of Understanding Risk Factors for Criminal Behavior:** - Prevention and Early Intervention - Tailored Rehabilitation - Informed Policy Making - Better Criminal Profiling - Reducing Recidivism - Holistic Approach to Crime **Types of Risk Factors** 1\. Developmental 2\. Social 3\. Parental and Family 4\. Psychological **Developmental Risk Factors** **1. Early Childhood Factors** - Prenatal and perinatal complications - Low birth weight - Exposure to toxins **2. Childhood Temperament** - Impulsivity - Aggression - Attention problems **3. Cognitive Development** - Low IQ - Poor verbal skills - Learning disabilities **4. Moral Development** - Delayed moral reasoning - Lack of empathy **Psychological Theory: Developmental Psychopathology** **1. Equifinality in Developmental Pathways**: Equifinality refers to the principle that different early experiences and developmental trajectories can lead to the same psychological or behavioral outcome. - **Application**: In developmental psychopathology, multiple diverse risk factors (e.g., genetic predispositions, trauma, peer rejection) can lead to a similar outcome such as the development of a mental disorder or engagement in criminal behavior. - **Example**: - **Pathway 1**: A child who experiences neglect and abuse may develop conduct disorder. - **Pathway 2**: Another child who grows up in a chaotic, high-conflict family environment may also develop conduct disorder. - Both children, despite their different experiences, arrive at the same behavioral outcome (conduct disorder). **2. Multifinality in Developmental Pathways:** Multifinality refers to the principle that the same initial conditions or experiences can lead to different outcomes for different individuals. - **Application**: A single risk factor or early experience can result in multiple possible developmental outcomes, depending on protective factors, individual resilience, and environmental influences. - **Example**: - **Initial Condition**: Two children experience similar early childhood trauma (e.g., physical abuse). - **Outcome 1**: One child may develop depression and withdraw from social interactions. - **Outcome 2**: The other child may develop aggressive behavior and eventually engage in criminal activities. - **Outcome 3**: A third child may show remarkable resilience and, with strong social support, grow up to lead a healthy, law-abiding life. **3. Cumulative Risk Model** suggests that the likelihood of negative outcomes, such as criminal behavior or psychological disorders, increases as the number of risk factors in an individual\'s life accumulates. Rather than focusing on one single risk factor, this model examines how the combination of multiple risk factors can overwhelm an individual\'s coping mechanisms, leading to higher chances of adverse outcomes. **Key Concepts of the Cumulative Risk Model** - **Risk Factors**: - **Additive Effect**: - **Threshold Effect**: - **Non-Specificity of Risks**: - **Interaction with Protective Factors**: **Examples of Risk Factors** - **Individual-Level**: - Impulsivity, aggression, low intelligence, or poor emotional regulation. - **Family-Level**: - Parental criminal behavior, neglect, harsh or inconsistent discipline, or lack of supervision. - **Social/Environmental-Level**: - Poverty, living in a high-crime neighborhood, exposure to violence, or negative peer influences. **Social Risk Factors** **1. Peer Influence** - Association with delinquent peers - Peer rejection **2. School Factors** - Poor academic performance - School disengagement - Negative school climate **3. Neighbourhood Factors** - High crime rates - Poverty - Lack of community resources **4. SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS** - Low family income - Unemployment - Limited access to education **Psychological Theory: Social Learning Theory** 1. **Differential Association (Edwin Sutherland:** Criminal behavior is learned through social interaction. Sutherland proposed that individuals become criminals because they associate with others who engage in criminal behavior. **Key Concepts:** - Learning through Interaction - Frequency and Intensity of Associations - Learning Techniques and Motives **2. Observational Learning (Albert Bandura):** Behavior is learned by observing others and modeling their actions. Bandura\'s Social Learning Theory highlights that individuals learn both pro-social and anti-social behaviors by watching others. **Key Concepts:** - Modeling - Vicarious Reinforcement - Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation **Parental and Family Risk Factors** **1. Parenting Styles** - Harsh or inconsistent discipline - Neglect - Lack of supervision **2. Family Structure** - Single-parent households - Large family size - Parental separation or divorce **3.Family Dynamics** - Family conflict - Domestic violence - Poor parent-child relationships **4. Parental Criminality** - Criminal history of parents - Substance abuse in the family **Psychological Theory: Attachment Theory** **1. Insecure Attachment Styles and Criminal Behavior** Attachment styles are formed in early childhood based on the responsiveness and availability of a caregiver. Insecure attachment styles, particularly **avoidant**, **ambivalent**, and **disorganized**, are often linked to negative behavioral outcomes, including criminal behavior. **Insecure-Avoidant Attachment**: Children with avoidant attachment tend to distance themselves from emotional connections, struggle to form meaningful relationships, and often suppress their emotions. **Insecure-Ambivalent (Anxious) Attachment**: Ambivalent children often experience inconsistent caregiving, leading to anxiety, fear of abandonment, and clinginess in relationships. **Disorganized Attachment**: Disorganized attachment arises from abuse, trauma, or inconsistent caregiving, leading to confusion, fear, and often erratic behavior. **Intergenerational Transmission of Criminal Behavior:** Attachment Theory also helps explain the **intergenerational transmission** of criminal behavior, where dysfunctional family patterns are passed from one generation to the next. Insecure attachment styles can be a contributing factor to this cycle. **Intergenerational Transmission**: This refers to the process by which dysfunctional family dynamics, including criminal behavior, are transmitted from parents to children. If parents display insecure attachment patterns or engage in criminal behavior, their children are more likely to develop insecure attachments and replicate these behaviors. **Mechanisms**: - **Modeling and Imitation** - **Lack of Stable Emotional Support** **Psychological Risk Factors** 1. **Mental Health Issues** - **Conduct disorder** - **Antisocial personality disorder** - **Depression and anxiety** **2. Substance Abuse** - **Drug addiction** - **Alcohol abuse** **3. Cognitive Distortions** - **Hostile attribution bias** - **Negative self-image** - **Lack of problem-solving skills** **4. TRAUMA AND ABUSE** - Childhood maltreatment - Witnessing violence - Post-traumatic stress disorder **Psychological Theory: General Strain Theory** **1. Types of Strain Leading to Criminal Behavior:** General Strain Theory identifies three primary types of strain that can contribute to criminal behavior: - **Failure to Achieve Goals** - **Removal of Positive Stimuli** - **Confrontation with Negative Stimuli** **2. Negative Emotions and Coping Mechanisms:** General Strain Theory highlights the critical role of negative emotions, such as anger, frustration, and hopelessness, as a response to strain. These emotions can lead to various coping mechanisms, some of which may result in criminal behavior. - **Negative Emotions(**Anger, Frustration, Hopelessness) - **Coping Mechanisms** - **I) Adaptive Coping Strategies:**Some individuals may use constructive coping mechanisms to deal with strain, such as seeking social support, problem-solving, or engaging in healthy activities (e.g., exercise, hobbies). - **II) Maladaptive Coping Strategies:** Others may resort to unhealthy or criminal coping mechanisms, including: - Substance Abuse, Violence, Delinquency **Motives for Criminal Behavior** 1. **Financial Motives** - Poverty - Greed - Unemployment **2. Power and Control** - Desire for dominance - Need for respect or recognition **3. Emotional Motives** - Anger and revenge - Jealousy - Thrill-seeking **4. IDEOLOGICAL MOTIVES** - Political extremism - Religious fanaticism **Psychological Theory: Rational Choice Theory** **1. Cost-Benefit Analysis in Criminal Decision-Making** - Rational Decision-Making - Components of Cost-Benefit Analysis(Expected Benefits, Expected Costs) - Influencing Factors(Risk Perception, Opportunity) **2. Situational Crime Prevention:** Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) is an approach grounded in Rational Choice Theory that focuses on reducing opportunities for crime by manipulating the immediate environment and enhancing the perceived costs of criminal behavior.