FORENSIC PROFILING

Forensic Science

Forensic Profiling is…

an educated attempt to provide investigative agencies with specific information about the type of individual who committed a certain crime.

Goals of Profiling

To provide …

a. social and psychological assessment of the offender

b. psychological evaluation of belongings possessed by the offender

c. interviewing suggestions and strategies

Effective Use of Profiling

Profiling is used when No single suspect has been

identified.

To narrow a large suspect list or redirect the course of an investigation.

Geographical Profiling

Examines a crime map and helps pinpoint where the perp lives or works.

Computerized Profiling

An automated system is used to identify those who may pose a threat to airlines, national security, or to track areas of high drug trafficking and crime in general.

Two Basic Categories Used:

Organized and Disorganized

Based on the evidence of the crimes, profilers will determine into which category the perp “fits”.

Age: The offender is approximately the same age as his victim. The average age is usually under 35, however can range from 18 to 45 years.

Race: Usually the same race as the victim, but the local ethnic make-up should be considered.

Marital Status: Married or living with a partner. Offender is usually sexually competent and has a significant female in his relationship.

Organized Offender

Organized Offender…

Education: Normal to superior intelligence and street-wise. He has completed high school and may have some college experience. He was probably known as a trouble maker at school.

Residence: Lives some distance from the crime scene. Lives in middle-class rental and takes good care of his home.

Physical characteristics: Usually well-built. Takes good care of himself and is often concerned with appearance.

Organized Offender…

Employment: This offender has the ability to handle almost any type of employment, but tends to seek out those jobs that project a macho image; for example, bartender, truck driver, construction worker, police officer, fireman or paramedic.

Arrest record: Arrests for interpersonal violence, sex offenses. May have a poor driving record and many unpaid parking tickets. Fist-fights are also common.

Disorganized Offender

Age: These offenders range in age from 16 to their late 30s. The selected victim is simply a victim of opportunity who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Many disorganized offenders experience their acting-out phase between the ages of 17 and 25.

Race: Usually the same race as the victim, but local ethnic make-up should be considered.

Marital status: Single

Disorganized Offender…

Education/intelligence level: High school drop-out. Possibly community college. Below average intelligence. Considered a marginal student.

Physical characteristics: Thin, possibly with acne or some physical malady that contributes to an appearance that is different from the general population.

Employment: This type of offender may not be employed. If he is he will most likely seek out unskilled work. His job will be a simple menial one, requiring little contact with the public. Dishwasher, janitor, maintenance man etc.

Disorganized Offender…

Residence: Close to the area of the crime scene. Usually lives alone in a rental property or with his parents or with a significantly older female relative.

Arrest record: Arrests for voyeurism, fetish thefts, burglary, exhibitionism or other nuisance offenses.

The End