Test 2 Flashcards
(41 cards)
Profile
looking at a crime and making a best guess as to the type of individual who would commit the crime in question
Psychopaths
aren’t legally insane, knows the difference between right and wrong
Modus operandi
seen as necessary to committing or getting away with a crime
Psychotics
sever mental disorder
Signature
when killers leave their mark at the scene
Are the majority of serial killers male or female?
male
What are the types of profiles that exist?
psychological, behavioral, and demographic
What were serial killers called before the term serial killer was invented?
mass murderers
What agency developed the second, more accurate, definition of serial killers?
the National Institute of Justice
Who is the “Father of Profiling?”
John Douglas
Visionary motive
suffer psychotic breaks with reality. May believe they are compelled to murder by God
Mission oriented motive
attempting to rid the world of undesirables
Hedonistic motive
derives pleasure from killing, see people as expendable
Lust sub motive
sex is primary motive, fantasy plays large role in killing
Thrill sub motive
primary motive is to induce pain/terror
Comfort/profit sub motive
material gain/comfortable lifestyle are motives
Power/control motive
gain and exert power over victim
What kind of characteristics can be deciphered about the offender by the state of the crime scene?
their employment status and whether or not they are socially competent
Who coined the term serial killer?
FBI special agent Robert Ressler
Are most serial killer intelligent?
no
Does a killer’s signature or modus operandi evolve over time?
signature does not, m.o. does change
What does the FBI definition of serial killer stress?
3 or more separate occasions and locations
What was the first documented case that used a criminal profile?
the “mad bomber” aka George Metesky
What does a profiler study to help formulate a profile about the offender?
crime scene, autopsy, victim, pre-crime and post-crime behaviors
