Forensic psychology is a broad but important field in the realm of forensic sciences. The responsibilities of a forensic psychologist often extend beyond the yellow borders of the crime scene. Typically, forensic psychologists offer their expertise in the courtroom, and may apply their knowledge of human psychology to present educated opinions regarding various aspects of a trial that require a more intensive look at the psychology behind the case.
Forensic psychologists possess a wide arsenal of techniques they use for analysis that can help determine many things, including criminal responsibility, competency to stand trial, and assessment of the possibility of future risk.[1] Without this occupation, these questions would be left up to speculation. By having a forensic psychologist available in the courtroom, this guesswork can be avoided and only professional expertise is delivered to the jury to take into account. Within the field of forensic psychology there are several more specific sciences that one can specialize in. One of the more practical sub-sciences is criminal personality profiling.
Criminal personality profiling is a helpful technique that is used by forensic investigators in order to assist with the identification of unknown subjects involved in various crimes. Profilers consider all aspects of a crime scene and then apply their knowledge of human psychology in an attempt to come up with a “profile” of the unidentified perpetrator, in order to narrow down the list of possible descriptions that the offender potentially matches. Most of what is known about criminal personality profiling has been learned through years of experience and exposure to crime scenes, criminals, and their psychological evaluations by trained professionals.[2] Many believe that because psychology itself is not an exact science, criminal profiling is inherently flawed and doomed to inaccuracies.
For this reason, it is important to remember that profiles are merely suggestions made by professionals working with all of the information they have been able to gather, and nothing more. These profiles are not guaranteed to be flawless or one-hundred percent accurate. A profile in and of itself has never single-handedly been responsible for catching a suspect.[3] However, profiles are instrumental in allowing investigators to focus their efforts and minimize the range they have to search in. Multiple case studies involving criminal profiles have proven this field’s usefulness in helping investigators create profiles to assist in the search for a suspect.
When a profiler is summoned by investigators, the first thing that takes place is a careful study of the crime scene. John Douglas, a former FBI agent who helped pioneer the field of criminal personality profiling, likens criminals to artists, and crime scenes to pieces of art. Each criminal has their own style which is represented in the way the crime was executed. By studying the “artwork”, you are essentially studying the mind of the criminal.[4] This initial evaluation is the basis for which a biographical profile of a potential suspect can be constructed. These preliminary observations also allow the profiler to classify the crime scene into one of two major categories: organized or disorganized. This newly assigned status can offer a lot of general information not only about the profile of a suspect, but about the nature of the crime and the suspect’s motives in general.
For example, if a murder scene contains little evidence and was apparently premeditated, profilers can extrapolate that the offender likely possesses an above-average degree of intelligence, and can even assume more specific characteristics like the suspect has a car that is in good condition, since this would be required to move the body from the scene. (Hobbs 2003) Knowledge of past crime scenes that have been solved is essential to developing the science of criminal profiling. By compiling a list of psychological characteristics that have been successfully tied to criminals and crime scenes, profilers now have a better sense of what to pay attention to and what to look for when they arrive on the scene. Additionally, they have a stronger notion of what certain attributes of the crime scene may mean from a psychological perspective.
Nowadays, profiles can potentially determine a long list of suspect traits including: age, sex, race, marital status, intelligence, lifestyle, personality, appearance, employment, economic status, and motives. (Hobbs 2003) When working with very little or poor quality physical evidence, a criminal profile containing this information can get investigators started in the right direction. Additionally, profilers can generally determine if two separate crime scenes are linked by examining the similarities and differences. Just like Locard’s Exchange principle states that every contact leaves a physical trace, profilers operate on the principle that every criminal encounter leaves psychological clues regarding the identity of the perpetrator. It is up to the profiler to identify and isolate anything at the crime scene which may have psychological relevance, or may assist with developing the profile. Profilers must take more into account than the crime scene itself.
By examining witness reports detailing a suspect’s behavior during a criminal act, and by investigating the lifestyle and general background of the victim, a profiler may begin to understand a little more about the motives of the suspect and his reason for targeting a particular victim. Once again, similarities between multiple victims may suggest that the crimes are linked to a single offender. Very close attention is paid to the victimology, or history of the victim, as soon as the investigation is underway. Often this information can offer some insight into why the crime was committed and exactly in what manner.[5] Profilers don’t always work exclusively with law enforcement.
Often times they are in close contact with the media in order to quickly spread a profile around for the public eye to be on the lookout for. Many times after a suspect becomes emotionally affected by a crime they have committed, their frustrations or worries begin to surface in their everyday lives and may startle their family, friends, and associates. By circulating a profile, law enforcement agencies are essentially enlisting unpaid investigators who can contact them if they begin to notice anyone around them acting out of the ordinary or otherwise fitting the profile description. In these ways, criminal personality profilers assist investigators with solving crime scenes and identifying perpetrators.
Becoming an accurate profiler involves lots of experience both with crime scenes and with criminal behavior. Profilers have an uncanny ability to pay attention to detail which comes in useful while studying crime scenes. They also possess extensive knowledge and understanding regarding human psychology. There is no concrete path to becoming a profiler, since profilers are generally selected by FBI and law enforcement agencies from a group of regular agents or officers.[6] Competition for this scarce quantity of positions is intense, with only about .03% of available FBI agents being selected for full time profiling jobs. (How Does One Become A Profiler? 2003) Many agencies employing profilers, such as the FBI, do not have actual degree requirements that one must fulfill before qualifying for the position, although there are a few “preferred degrees” that involve advanced study in behavioral or forensic science.[7] A successful profiler cannot simply learn his craft from a textbook or lecture. Experience and practice is what makes a profiler more accurate in his abilities.
By becoming exposed to crime, criminals, and criminal psychology as an agent or officer, this experience can be gained over a period of several years. At this point, an individual may be appointed to this position, after proving themselves through work as a field officer. Private companies also employ profilers, although the validity and expertise of these companies should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Many cases have demonstrated the value of a criminal profile to help eliminate suspects and shine the spotlight on others. One of the most successful and accurate criminal profiles ever created was used in the “New York City Mad Bomber” investigation. From 1940 to 1956, a serial bomber planted small explosive devices throughout New York City. Investigators were frustrated and had no leads to help them. After thirty bombs went off, New York City police decided to try some unconventional methods to assist them with the search for the mad bomber. New York State’s assistant commissioner of mental hygiene, James Brussel, was asked by the police department to study some photos of the relevant crime scenes and offer any psychiatric opinion he might have.
After deliberating on the photographic evidence and notes gathered by investigators, Brussel came up with a detailed profile: “He would be unmarried, foreign, self-educated, in his 50s, living in Connecticut, paranoid and with a vendetta against Con Edison.”[8] In 1957, police arrested George Metesky, who immediately confessed to the bombings. The profile that Brussel had developed was almost identical to Metesky’s description. Police even found him wearing the identical suit type that Brussel had expected him to adorn. But Brussel urged the authorities not to rely too much on criminal profiling. Being well versed in psychiatry, Brussel understood that what he had done was nothing more than a blend of “science, intuition, and hope.” (Science, Intuition, and Hope 2005)
Criminal personality profiling can be extremely helpful in allowing investigators to narrow their search for a suspect, especially when physical evidence and other leads are scarce. Despite its accuracies, it will never be considered a complete replacement for thorough investigation and hard police work. Investigators will continue to use profiles to make their jobs easier, and can confidently rely on the general gist of a profile to help them with their investigations.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] Wikipedia 2005. Forensic Psychology. Nov 9 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_psychology>
[2] Turvey, Brent. Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis. Academic Pr., 1st Edition, 1999
[3] Philpin, John. Science, Intuition, and Hope: The Art of Personality Profiling.
http://www.karisable.com/crserial2.htm>
[4] Hobbs, Dawn. How Do You Get Inside the Mind of a Murderer? Santa-Barbara News Press. 2003.
http://www.newspress.com/coldcases/profiler.htm>
[5] James, Stuart and Nordby, Jon. Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2005.
[6] Behvarioral Criminology International. How Does One Become A Profiler? 2003. http://www.criminalprofiler.com/faq.htm>
[7]The FBI Answers Your Questions About Becoming a Profiler.http://www.criminal-justice-career.com/article-display/62.html
[8] Winerman, Lea. Criminal Profiling: The Reality Behind the Myth. American Psychological Association. Aug 2004.
