bottom-up approach

Question 1

Investigative psychology

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Interpersonal coherence

Answer 2

The way an offender behaves at the scene, including how they interact with the victim, reflects their behaviour in more everyday situations

Question 3

Crime mapping

Answer 3

Uses information on the location of linked crime scene to make inferences on the base of the offender

Question 4

Spatial consistency

Answer 4

People commit crimes within a limited geographical - serial offenders will restrict their ‘work’ to areas they are familiar with creating a centre of gravity

Question 5

Marauder

Answer 5

Operates in close proximity to their home base

Question 6

Commuter

Answer 6

Travelled a distance away from their usual residence to commit crime

Question 7

Evidence for IP

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Historical crimes

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Evidence for geographical profiling

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Geographical information insufficient

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Mixed results

Answer 11

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