bottom-up approach Flashcards
Investigative psychology
Uses statistical procedure and psychological theory to analyse crime scene. Details of crime scene are matched to a database - reveals details on offender could determine whether offences are committed by the same person
Interpersonal coherence
The way an offender behaves at the scene, including how they interact with the victim, reflects their behaviour in more everyday situations
Crime mapping
Uses information on the location of linked crime scene to make inferences on the base of the offender
Spatial consistency
People commit crimes within a limited geographical - serial offenders will restrict their ‘work’ to areas they are familiar with creating a centre of gravity
Marauder
Operates in close proximity to their home base
Commuter
Travelled a distance away from their usual residence to commit crime
Evidence for IP
Canter and Heritage (1990) SSA of 66 sexual assault cases. Several common behaviours found: impersonal language, lack of relation to victim. Each individual displayed a pattern that helps establish case linkage. Supports behavioural consistency principle
Historical crimes
Case linkage depends on the database - only consists of historical crimes, fact these were solved could be due to straightforward link, creates circular argument. Suggests IP tells us little about crimes with few links so will remain unsolved
Evidence for geographical profiling
Lundrigan and Canter (2001) Reviewed information from 120 serial killer murders. SSA revealed spatial consistency in killer behaviour. Locations of body disposals created centre of gravity. Offender’s base was invariably located in the centre of the pattern - more noticeable in marauders. Supports that geographical information can be used to identify offenders
Geographical information insufficient
Crime recording accuracy varies between police forces, 75% are not even reported. Questions utility of geographical information. Ainsworth (2001) Other factors important e.g. timing, age, experience
Mixed results
Copson (1995) Surveyed 48 police departments
- profiler judged as useful in 83% of cases
- only 3% of cases lead to accurate identification
Kocsis (2002) Chemistry students produced more accurate offender profiles than senior detectives