Preview

Criminal Profiling Questions

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
611 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Criminal Profiling Questions
Criminal Profiling Week 1 Discussion questions

1. Analyze inductive/deductive reasoning.

Inductive criminal investigative assessments: The inductive approach to profiling is a based on the simple premise that "If certain crimes committed by different people are similar, then the offenders must also share some type of personality traits. (Holmes & Holmes, 2009)" Inductive reasoning seems to be the more "scientific" of the two as it is strictly based on criminals that have committed the same or same type of crime. It is much quicker as it is strictly based upon statistics and easily conducted (with the proper databases) searches based on the types of crimes. When you combine the simplicity and the speed at which it can be done, it would seem it would be a foregone conclusion that this is the technique to use. However, inductive assessments are not completely reliable due to no connection to the current crime and strictly relegated to using similar facts and types of crimes to aid in creating a profile.
Deductive criminal investigative assessments: "From a thorough analysis of the crime scene and the evidence left at the crime scene, the profiler is able to construct a mental picture of the unknown offender. (Holmes & Holmes, 2009). Deductive profiling is based upon the artistic ability of putting together the available information and picturing the events that occurred and the offenders that committed these events. Deductive profiling is more complex and takes longer to conduct a thorough enough investigation to begin putting the pieces together to form the entire puzzle. Deductive profiling is much more reliable as it is based on information pertinent to the specific crime committed and not simply based upon similar types of crime that are typically not in any way related to the current crime being investigated.
The most popular form of profiling is a combined inductive/deductive profiling. Using inductive profiling, you would
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Forensic Psychology Aids in a Conviction on Behalf of Elizabeth Smart
    • 1125 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Forensic Psychology Aids in a Conviction on Behalf of Elizabeth Smart

    Forensic psychologist can play key roles in the criminal justice system. Immediately following a crime a forensic psychologist may be asked to act as a criminal profiler. Criminal profiling involves the psychologist’s use of human behavior, motivation, and pathology so that he or she can create a profile, which is often accurate, of the offender. From observations of the crime scene one can infer the behavioral characteristics of an individual who created it. To a profiler everyone is a slave to their own psychological make-up. In turn, profilers use their knowledge of how the typical offender reacts, their characteristics and then…

    • 1125 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Criminology Research Assignment
    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Criminology Research Assignment

    (National center for crime and justice statistics. (2012). Latest publications. Available: http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/c311215.nsf/web/national+centre+for+crime+and+justice+statistics. Last accessed 20th march 2012.)…

    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mind Hunter
    • 1650 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Mind Hunter

    John Douglas stated “criminal or offender profiling, is a law enforcement investigation technique that attempts to determine the type of person who may have committed the crime based upon an individual’s behavior at the crime scene or at multiple crime scenes.” It is based on that humans are creatures of habit and will follow a certain behavior. Profilers rely on the fact that normal human behavior; characteristics and patterns remain the same, regardless of the act. A profile is a list of likely traits that the individual who committed the crime possesses. The purpose of the profile, like all other investigative tools, is to narrow the search down for police to a certain set of people that they can match to evidence.…

    • 1650 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Induction And Deductive Reasoning
    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Induction And Deductive Reasoning

    Often times lines become blurred regarding inductions and deductive reasoning as they apply to forensic sciences. Inductions are described by Thornton (1997b, p. 13) as an inference that is derived by specific observations to a generalization, or an assumption that may not always be valid. On the other hand, a deductive reasoning is defined as a forensics-evidence-based, process-oriented method of investigative reasoning based off of the behavioral patterns of a particular offender (Turvey, 1999). Historically, forensic scientists have failed to recognize the importance of inductions and deductive reasoning as a critical process in conducting investigations. Thus resulting in a hypothesis being falsely categorized as a deductive conclusion; when in fact it remains nothing more than a statement until supported by follow on testing (Thornton & Kirk, 1997).…

    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Research Process and Terminology Paper
    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Research Process and Terminology Paper

    Research is started by mean of assumptions, before the fact reasoning. During the process a theoretical precedes where there is an attempt to collect facts about the topic as well as collecting information on the after the fact reasoning. This in theory the data that is collected is developed once all information is collected and studied. There should always be a former example of a reason based on the hypothesis or theory. During research there are two principals of theory that are used deduction and induction. “Theory to fact is deduction and fact to theory is induction. Deduction involves moving from a level of theory to a specific hypothesis, whereas induction entails inferring about a whole group on the basis of knowing about a case or a few cases.” (Frank E. Hagan, 2010, p. 18). The steps to research in criminal justice are as followed; Problem formulation- the area that needs to be investigated…

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling In Criminal Cases
    • 178 Words
    • 1 Page

    Racial Profiling In Criminal Cases

    Congress enacted the material witness law in 1984 which enabled the government to secure material information of suspects who might avoid testifying in criminal cases . As soon as a witness is apprehended, the government should allow him access to a trial. During his prosecution the court determines whether the suspect should be released or detained .…

    • 178 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Racial vs Criminal Profiling
    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Racial vs Criminal Profiling

    Justice is said to be blind, at least that is what the Supreme Court says. But in many instances, it has caused others to think differently. The scale on which justice is weighed has been corrupted from the inside and has caused this great controversial issue to rise. That issue is racial profiling and its implementation in police investigations and court systems. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, racial profiling is defined as the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual’s race alone. It is something that has been used and is continuously used as a crutch for people to get their “so-called” justice they think they deserve. But many of these same people fail to understand that racial profiling is different from criminal profiling. Criminal profiling is defined as a reliance on a group of characteristics that they believe to be associated with a specific crime. Yes race is involved, but it is not the only factor contributed.…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Psychology Py4 Discuss the Methods of Approaches to Offender Profiling
    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Psychology Py4 Discuss the Methods of Approaches to Offender Profiling

    When solving a crime, police investigate a number of different factors and different types evidence which could have a possible lead to how and by who the crime was conducted. This could include DNA tests, finding finger prints and blood stains as well as fibres from clothes. These methods are seen as useful however it tends to become a problem when a lot of people are required to be tested in order to find a match. A new method is required where the list of possible suspects is narrowed down to a much smaller group, making it easier to find possible matches. This is referred to as offender profiling which narrows down the range of suspects, by picking up on certain behaviours, actions and the likely circumstances of the criminals. All information about a crime, the crime scene, it’s victim, and anything other of relevant, is put together to create a profile of the perpetrator.…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Future of Psychological Profiling
    • 1646 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Future of Psychological Profiling

    The purpose of this paper is to provide an assessment of psychological profiling as an investigative tool for the future. The paper will try to focus on what happens if profiles are developed that have not accurately portrayed the apprehended. Additionally this paper will be reviewing the Baton Rouge Serial Killer and The Unabomer cases in order to answer additional questions such as; what were the main criticisms documented in these specific cases, how can a profiler achieve the desired end results using the resources available, and what future challenges do you see this approach facing as more investigators utilize this as an investigative tool?…

    • 1646 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Criminal Justice Research Paper
    • 6313 Words
    • 26 Pages

    Criminal Justice Research Paper

    Fred is drunk and driving his dad’s car. Fred is a 21 year old student at Columbia College. Fred rams into a parked car at 10th and Rogers. Thinking no one saw him; Fred moves his car and parks it on an adjacent lot. He sprints to his dorm room in Miller Hall. A neighbor saw the wreck and Fred running to the dorm. Police are called and they arrive ten minutes after the wreck. The officers see several empty beer cans and a bottle of tequila (half full) in the front seat. The tags are traced to Fred’s dad, who is called by police. Dad says that Fred is a student at Columbia College. Police run Fred's record and determine that he has two prior DWIs within the past five years. The third DWI in 10 years is a felony. Police contact Columbia College security who leads them to Fred’s dorm. Fred is passed out, so security lets them in. The officers smell intoxicants, give Fred some Field Sobriety tests (he fails) and confirm that he was driving the car. Fred is arrested for DWI. It is his third offense, a felony under Missouri law. Fred is given a breath test, which registers at .13 on the scale. During the processing of his arrest paperwork, the officers search Fred’s possessions which he brought to the station, and a small quantity of cocaine is found in Fred’s pocket. Fred is charged with DWI, leaving the scene, and possession of cocaine. What issues do you see? How should they be resolved? (50 points)…

    • 6313 Words
    • 26 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling Research Paper
    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Racial Profiling Research Paper

    Some of the main types of profiling include singling out a person of a certain…

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Criminal Profiling the Popular Tv Shows 2
    • 1604 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Criminal Profiling the Popular Tv Shows 2

    What exactly is Criminal Profiling? Well, in order to understand what criminal profiling is, someone must understand what a criminal profile is. “A criminal profile is a collection of inferences about the qualities of the person responsible for committing a crime or a series of crimes.” (Turvey, 2008, p. 43). The inferences Turvey is speaking of are based on evidence and common sense, or reasoning. Criminal Profiling is a Forensic Science, and like any Science, is concluded by theories and patterns, and more often than not, a crucial part to determining who a suspect could be when no eye witnesses are available. A criminal profiler will create a psychological profile of a suspect to aid Law Enforcement in the identification and location of the suspect by merely what they know about human behavior, motivation, and mental illness. (www.wcupa.edu.). A large number of criminals have been detained using criminal profiling.…

    • 1604 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Interviewing a Criminal Justice Professional
    • 1192 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Interviewing a Criminal Justice Professional

    For the past twenty-four years, Deputy Karen J. Miller has work for the Harris County Sherriff’s Department. She worked on the beat for her first six months, than the rest of her career years at the Harris County Sherriff’s Community Store Front. The store front is a place where the deputies provide a safe environment for those who live, work or commute within the precincts. For the last three years, Deputy Miller’s job title has been “Media Liaison” officer. The role of a police liaison officer is to promote trust and understanding by assisting the community, police and media through the process of reducing and preventing crimes and maintaining community partnerships. She also strives to divert people from entering the criminal justice system. Deputy Miller is responsible for making consistent, periodic contact with assigned groups to stay informed about community concerns and unresolved issues. Her goal is to provide accurate information in a timely manner utilizing technology to improve communication between the office of the sheriff’s department, the media and the public. Deputy Miller’s daily activity entails sending emails, writing releases and reports to the local area paper (Northeast News). In Deputy Miller’s district reports, she gives information such as mug shots (if permitted), description about the incident, names of the people involved, the location, time and date. Deputy Miller thinks that new technologies, such as the internet are a good tool for law enforcement and the criminal justice system because more avenues have opened up because of the internet.…

    • 1192 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling In The Criminal Justice System
    • 1039 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Racial Profiling In The Criminal Justice System

    In American life race has played and will continue to be an important role in the criminal justice system. For several years the criminal system has failed to maintain “justice” and will conclude to an answer depending on the victim’s profile. Many cases are taken to court but surprisingly lots of them don’t win or aren’t able to achieve justice for the reason that everything falls in the same category which is depending on the victims profile. Statistics have shown that the number of African Americans in prison is higher than Whites meaning that eventually race can determine who goes to jail. Most cases aren’t resolved with an actual justification which leads to incarcerate the wrong victim who then has his live ruined because an unfair move…

    • 1039 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sociology and Critical Thinking Questions
    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Sociology and Critical Thinking Questions

    3. Why do you think that we should study crime and criminals? What information might we gain by doing so?…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More