Offender Profiling (The Bottom-Up Approach)

Question 1

the bottom-up approach definition

Answer 1

Profilers work up from evidence collected from the crime scene to develop hypotheses about the likely characteristics, motivations and social background of the offender

Question 2

investigative psychology definition

Answer 2

A form of bottom-up profiling that matches details form the crime scene with statistical analysis of typical offender behaviour patterns based on psychological theory

Question 3

geographical profiling definition

Answer 3

A form of bottom-up profiling based on the principle of spatial consistency: that an offender’s operational base and possible future offences are revealed by geographical location of their previous crimes

Question 4

What is a visionary serial killer?

Answer 4

Someone compelled to kill due to hallucinations or voices (e.g., “God told me to”).

Question 5

What is a mission-oriented serial killer?

Answer 5

One who believes they are removing certain groups (e.g., prostitutes, runaways) to “cleanse” society.

Question 6

What is a hedonistic serial killer?

Answer 6

A killer who murders for pleasure, excitement, or sexual gratification—the most common type.

Question 7

What is a power/control-oriented killer?

Answer 7

Someone who derives pleasure from controlling and dominating victims, often with sexual motives.

Question 8

Who was Jeffrey Dahmer?

Answer 8

An American serial killer who murdered and dismembered 17 young men and boys.

Question 9

What were key elements of Dahmer’s modus operandi?

Answer 9

Rape, necrophilia, dismemberment, and cannibalism.

Question 10

Was Jeffrey Dahmer an organised or disorganised offender?

Answer 10

Disorganised.

Question 11

Who is the key figure behind the bottom-up approach?

Answer 11

David Canter.

Question 12

How does the bottom-up approach differ from the top-down?

Answer 12

It doesn’t use fixed categories—profilers work from crime scene evidence upwards to develop a profile.

Question 13

What is the goal of the bottom-up approach?

Answer 13

To generate a picture of the offender (e.g., routine behaviour, social background) based on systematic evidence analysis.

Question 14

What is investigative psychology?

Answer 14

Bottom-up profiling using statistical analysis of crime scene data based on psychological theory.

Question 15

What does investigative psychology aim to establish?

Answer 15

Behavioural patterns across crime scenes and links between crimes.

Question 16

What is interpersonal coherence?

Answer 16

The idea that how an offender interacts with the victim reflects their everyday social behaviour.

Question 17

What is forensic awareness?

Answer 17

Whether the offender has tried to cover their tracks, suggesting prior police experience.

Question 18

What is geographical profiling based on?

Answer 18

Spatial consistency—using locations of linked crimes to locate the offender’s base or next strike.

Question 19

Who first described geographical profiling?

Answer 19

Rossmo (1997).

Question 20

What is a “jeopardy surface”?

Answer 20

A map predicting where the offender is likely to strike next.

Question 21

What are the two types of offenders in Circle Theory?

Answer 21

Marauders – commit crimes close to home

Commuters – travel to commit crimes

Question 22

What kind of information can spatial patterns reveal?

Answer 22

Whether the offence was planned, mode of transport, employment, mental maps, etc.

Question 23

What crimes was John Duffy responsible for?

Answer 23

24 sexual attacks and 3 murders near railways in North London.

Question 24

How was Canter involved in the Duffy case?

Answer 24

He created a profile using geographical and investigative psychology techniques.

Question 25

Was Canter’s profile accurate?

Answer 25

Yes, it matched Duffy closely in location, appearance, behaviour, and lifestyle.

Question 26

Did Canter’s profile lead directly to Duffy’s arrest?

Answer 26

No—Duffy was already in prison on unrelated charges when he confessed.

Question 27

AO3 (1) bottom up approach

Answer 27

- One strength is that evidence supports investigative psychology - For example, Canter and Heritage (1990) did a content analysis of 66 sexual assault cases using smallest space analysis. Several characteristics were commonly identified in most cases (e.g. use of impersonal language, lack of reaction to the victim). - This can lead to an understanding of how an offender’s behaviour may change over a series of offences, or in establishing whether two or more offences were committed by the same person - However, if the offender’s behaviour changes then there will not be a pattern to follow, reducing the usefulness of investigative psychology as it relies on the offender’s behaviour repeating - Despite this, this supports the reliability of investigative psychology because it shows how statistical techniques can be applied - Thus increasing the … validity of investigative psychology

Question 28

AO3 (2) bottom up approach

Answer 28

- A further strength is that evidence also supports geographical profiling - For example, Lundrigan and Canter (2001) collated information from 120 murder cases involving serial killers in the US. Smallest space analysis revealed spatial consistency in the behaviour of the killers - The location of each body sit was plotted and a ‘centre of gravity’ identified; offender’s base was invariably in the centre of the pattern. The effect was more noticeable for ‘marauders’ - However, it only works for marauders/ difficult to use for commuters and doesn’t work because they need to identify a centre of gravity which is difficult to pinpoint with a commuter - Despite this, the evidence supports Carter’s claim that spatial information can be a key factor in determining the base of an offender and it is still valid and still works - Thus increasing the … validity of geographical profiling

Question 29

AO3 (3) bottom up approach

Answer 29

- Another strength is that the approach has a scientific basis - For example, Canter argues the bottom-up approach is more objective and scientific then top-down (more psychological theory and evidence, less speculation and fewer ‘hunches’) - Investigators can use geographical, biographical and psychological data to quickly produce data to assist in the investigation - However, it can be argued that it’s limited as it does not have any qualitative data which makes it harder to identify the offender - Despite this, investigative psychology has also expanded to include areas like suspect interviewing and examination of material presented in court – this supports its use in the judicial process - Thus increasing the internal validity of the bottom up approach