Statistical Profiling Flashcards
Investigative psychology (Canter)
Focuses on quantitative analysis to look at similarities in crime characteristics (including geographical locations and chronology of offending)
What is Geographic profiling?
Examines features of the environment that are associated with crime
Identifies spatial characteristics of crimes/crime hotspots
Theoretical bases: Routine activity theory + rational choice theory
Based on empirical data
Spatial models of offending - geographic profiling
Commuter model - offender travels into area to commit crime (identified by type of crime)
Marauder model - offender resides within the circle (draw line btw two crimes furthest apart)
Windshield wiper pattern - offenders travel some routes more often, commit crimes along that route (60 degrees for serial killers - Lundrigan + Canter)
Mental maps - geographic profiling
People have mental maps (borders they perceive)
Geographical features impact mental maps (rivers, bridges, main roads)
Mental maps can affect offending
Statistical profiling
Focuses on the behavioural characteristics of the offender - similar to FBI profiling but based on larger data sets
Need large data set to crest profile - analysis includes SSA (statistical space analysis)
Some crimes occur frequently together while others rarely do
Covers wide range of crimes, tests assumptions of FBI profiling
