The bottom-up approach- FORENSICS

Question 1

• where does the bottom-up approach happen
  -how does it work

Answer 1

• in the UK
• works by focusing on crime scene, the use of investigative psychology, building a picture from facts and figures from previous crimes of the same type—-> removes intuition element
• analysis of behaviour and social interactions of the offender and victim

Question 2

what is:
1- interpersonal coherence
2-significance of time and place
3-criminal characteristics
4-criminal career
5-forensic awareness

Answer 2

1= actions displayed by offender will be the norm to him/her
2= timing and position of crimes gives clues to where offender works/lives
3=analysis of crimes helps in classifying categories and identifying patterns of behaviour
4=crimes may increase as offenders confidence grows
5=offenders may be aware of police techniques and will cover their tracks

Question 3

What are the 4 features of geographical profiling?

Answer 3

1= LOCATEDNESS
- where victim is killed, where body is disposed of

2= SYSTEMATIC CRIME LOCATION CHOICE
- locations aren’t random

3= CENTRALITY
- commuters travel to commit the crime, marauders commit crimes close to home

4= COMPARATIVE CASE ANALYSIS
- other crimes should be considered as being committed by the same person
- more crimes committed by one person, the greater the accuracy of the profile

—–> then use a computer system to create a 3D model called a jeopardy surface, provides indication as to where offender may live and work

Question 4

AO3 geographical profiling- STRENGTHS

Answer 4

• based on research and statistical likelihood, more scientific than top-down, intuition removed, more reliable
• method can be widely applied across many types of crime not just violent offences
• supporting evidence= David Canter created a psychological profile that led to the capture of the ‘Railway rapist’ and serial killer John Duffy—> application in the real world

Question 5

AO3- geographical profiling- LIMITATIONS

Answer 5

• requires statistical information from previous crimes, isn’t easy to gather
• while it is important, there are other considerations that have to be made like psychological characteristics

-concentrates on location, could miss important info if used in isolation

Question 6

AO3- generic offender profiling

Answer 6

• there has been successful profiling cases like Arthur Shawcross, John Duffy
  but….

ALBERT DE SALVO
- Boston strangler
- profile= male homosexual, school teacher, lives alone
- reality= heterosexual, construction worker, living with family

PINIZZOTO
- of 192 cases in which profiles were used, profiling contributed to identification of suspect in only 15 of the solved cases

BARTOL
- profiling is 90% art and speculation, 10% science

COPSON AND HOLLOWAY
- profiling led to identification in less than 3% of 184 cases they studied