PSY344H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Offender Profiling
Document Summary
Criminal profilers assist investigators in identifying the unknown subject. Crime scene reflects personality and lifestyle characteristics of offender just like our activities, habits and the way we decorate our house reflects our personality. In profiling crime scenes are analyzed to gain an understanding of personality, behavioural and motivation characteristics of the offender. Profilers recognize crime scene dynamics that are associated to criminal personality types who commit similar offences. The data collected is assessed, crime sequences are reconstructed, theories are developed and tested, profiles are prepared and suggestions are offered. Criminal profiling is offered as a support service to police officers investigating violent crimes. To prioritize large numbers of suspects and focus on the most probable suspect(s) To limit financial and human resources it is also used; Determine whether an offender s actions should be taken seriously.
