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Since the beginning of civilization, we have been curious about why a person behaves as they do. When it comes to criminal behavior, this curiosity deepens and as time has gone on we have strived to find better methods to understand such behavior. The result has been the development of the criminal profile.The origins of psychology and the study of human behavior can be traced back to philosopher Rene Descartes. Back in the 17th century, he tried to answer the question of whether the body and mind were separate entities or intertwined with each other in some way.
It was he who proposed that the human mind has influence over the physical body and equally the physical body can influence the mind. The Criminal Profile: Criminal Psychology vs Forensic PsychologyCriminal psychology is the field of psychology which focuses on criminals and criminal behavior with the aim of understanding why criminals commit crimes.
AdvertisementsPsychological profile, offender profiling, and criminal investigative analysis have all been used to describe the process and the criminal profile itself. Investigative psychology is an area developed to approach profiling based on science and as such is the preferred term for many people. What is a Criminal Profile?A criminal profile can be described as a behavioural profile of an offender generally created after the crime has been committed using evidence from the crime scene. As explained by Pete Klismet, a retired FBI criminal profiler:“Criminal profiling is the art of developing a behavioural profile of an offender based on evidence from a crime scene and many other factors involved in an investigation of a violent crime.”Understanding why a person has committed a crime can give an indication of their motive and if a motive is known, narrowing down the individual who carried out the crime becomes easier.Related:Criminal profiling has made its name with the public in association with the hunt for serial killers and while used in this area, it is not its only use.
Criminal profilers often work on cases such as bank robberies, arson, occult and ritualistic crimes, sexual assaults and rape cases, developing a criminal profile of each offender. Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Dennis Nilsen, John Wayne Gacy and Dennis RaderWhen it comes to serial killers, the assumption about an individual who could kill repeatedly and often in the most gruesome of manners is that they are insane to the point they are not in full control of their behavior, however, this is rarely the case.Mental illness and violence are often associated together and can be a focus within media reporting, particularly when a murder is very brutal or is a random attack. However, statistically, the relationship between is much lower than is often suggested.There is a long list of serial killers who were declared entirely sane at their trials, meaning no mental health issue impacted on their behaviour and their reasoning for committing multiple murder. Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Dennis Nilsen, John Wayne Gacy and Dennis Radar to name just a few.The term ‘psychopath’ is often used, particularly when discussing serial killers and while some may fall into the category of a, not all of them do.
These are the kinds of issues that are taken into account when developing a criminal profile.In fact, there are very few prosecuted serial killers who have been declared insane. Albert DeSalvo, the ‘ Boston Strangler‘, is one serial killer who targeted women between 1962 and 1964 killing thirteen in total.He was declared insane at trial and sent to a high security mental hospital.
He however, escaped shortly afterwards and was then sent to a standard prison to complete his sentence.Kenneth Erksine is another serial killer of note in terms of insanity. Known as the ‘ Stockwell Strangler‘, he killed seven women in London in 1986 and was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison in 1988.In 2009 he won an insanity appeal which ruled he should have been convicted of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. He is now detained indefinitely inside Broadmoor, previously known as Broadmoor Hospital for the Criminally Insane. A criminal profile is usually put together after a crime has been committed. We are not at the stage yet within psychology or to be able to predict when and if an individual will commit a crime and what type of crime that may be.While individuals may show warning signs and may have aspects of their personality or behaviour which are suggestive they are capable of committing such crimes, this is by no means a guarantee that they will in fact go ahead and do so.
Identifying who may or may not become a murderer, a school shooter or an individual who could take the lives of their own family is practically impossible and we are therefore left with trying to understand motives, drives and behaviours after the fact.There are however a number of behaviours which, to the trained eye, can provide valuable information about the personality of a killer.For example, killers often follow the same modus operandi; that is how they carry out their crime. A serial killer is often discovered due to the similar nature of each crime they are responsible for. A criminal profile is an attempt by an individual qualified in the study of human behaviour to provide detailed information to law enforcement on the kind of individual who may have committed the crime in question.
Not all crimes however, are suitable for a criminal profile. A is most often required for an accurate and useful profile to be drawn up.
Inductive Verses Deductive ProfilingThere have traditionally been two ways a criminal profiler can approach and develop a criminal profile of an offender. Inductive profiling uses historic information on crimes and known offenders to gain an understanding of these common traits and how they can be used. It is an approach which goes by the principle that if crimes committed by different people are similar, then the people who committed those crimes must also share common personality traits.The key to this approach is similar crimes.
A current crime can be compared against similar crimes of the past and the known perpetrators of those crimes. AdvertisementsThe notion of criminal profiling being ‘mumbo-jumbo’ and on the same level as many people’s views on psychics have diminished significantly from the early years of profiling, however, there are still many individuals who believe it is simply common sense and of no real value.Criminal profiles are common sense but they are common sense from the point of view of personalities and resulting behaviours to an individual trained in this area of human behaviour. Without the knowledge and understanding of behaviours in different people, such information may not be something that can be deduced by other individuals working on a criminal case.Related: The Purpose and Uses of a Criminal ProfileThe purpose of a criminal profile is to help a police investigation narrow down the search for the perpetrator of a crime. A profile which can provide an age range, type of employment, marital status and education and behavioural information can be of great benefit to police in their hunt, ensuring their investigative efforts are focused in the right area. If all investigators are aware of this profile they can be alert to potential suspects and possible links which all could aid the investigation.A criminal profile however can go further than simply narrow down a field of suspects due to age and employment status. An understanding of the psychology of an offender can also bring insights into how they may have behaved at the crime scene.
For example, whether they have taken items from the scene or from the victim directly, why they may have done this and what they may have done with them.Often such items are taken as a reminder for the offender of that particular crime, commonly referred to as ‘ souvenirs‘, and therefore they will be found somewhere accessible to them. If an offender has been arrested and such items are found, the exact items, where they were found and what the offender had done with them can provide more information to a profiler about the psychology of this offender. This is information that can be passed onto interviewing officers which can be used in trying to get the offender to open up about their crimes.The value of profilers to interviewing officers can be great.
An understanding of psychology, how different individuals may think about things, view their crimes or their victims, their attitudes, responses and behaviours can be of great benefit when trying to get an offender to open up.Effective interviewing techniques are very important and could save many many hours in interviewing a suspect. Using psychology in such a way, different strategies for obtaining information for different offenders can be applied. A technique effective for one individual may be ineffective for another and a profiler can explain why that is and which route to go for. James Brussel and the ‘Mad Bomber’ of New YorkIn one of the early and most famous cases of a criminal profile assisting in the solving of a crime was the ‘ Mad Bomber’ of New York City between 1940 and 1956. Over 30 small bombs had been placed in various locations in the city, many in public areas, and police were struggling in identifying the bomber who by this time had been reigning terror in New York for 16 years.
Remarkably, noone had been killed in the bomb blasts but many were injured and there was fear the next bomb would kill.In 1956, James Brussel, a psychiatrist in New York, was asked to study the crime scene photos and investigation notes in case he could provide any assistance as to the type of individual they were looking for. What he came up with came as a surprise to most.
A detailed criminal profile which stated the ‘bomber’ would be in his 50’s, he would be foreign and unmarried and he would live in Connecticut. He would be very neat in his appearance and have a particular personality liking everything in its place.Curiously, Brussel stated when he was caught he would be wearing a double breasted jacket which would have the buttons neatly done up. Furthermore, this was a male who had a grudge against the power company where the first bomb was left, Con Edison. He was most probably a former employee who may have been injured on the job and is looking for revenge on the company who he blames.Most of this profile while sounding exact, is information that can be deduced from the nature of his crimes.
For example, the majority of bombers are male and the first target along with letters sent to the police declaring Con Edison would be brought to justice and they will “pay for their dastardly deeds” clearly suggest the company themselves are the source of the bombers anger.Upon searching the employee records at Con Edison, one name stood out who matched Brussels profile. George Metesky had indeed been injured at work and had not received the compensation he believed he deserved. Furthermore, in a series of letters to the company, after his disability claim was denied, he referred to their “dastardly deeds”.George Metesky was arrested and confessed to planting the bombs.
At the time of his arrest, he was indeed wearing a buttoned up double breasted jacket. He matched Brussel’s profile exactly. Criminal profiles are tools to help investigating officers solve crimes. By themselves, they cannot solve a crime, but what they can do is assist and focus police investigations in the right direction.They are the application of psychological knowledge about the personalities, actions, behaviours, drives and motivations within criminal psychology to build a picture of the traits of the individual who may have carried out the crime in question. While the scientific basis of criminal profiling is still in question and profiles are not always right, their usefulness within criminal investigations cannot be denied.
Hi Valerie, it is surprising he was able to make such an accurate prediction, I agree! I assume as he had concluded the man in question was going to be very particular in his personality and appearance and the era at the time it was an educated guess that paid off.Criminal profiling is fascinating and the understanding we now have of different personalities and their behaviour is growing all the time. It makes sense to apply this knowledge to crime and where there are patterns of behaviour, as there generally is with serial killers, it can really provide some useful insights. Thanks for stopping by!.
Schools with Criminal Profiler ProgramsImagine working with law enforcement as a criminal profiler, building profiles of criminal suspects from available information, including but not limited to physical evidence. While the reality of working as a criminal profiler is not going to be as action-packed as a television drama like “Criminal Minds” might portray it to be, students with the right kind of training can find work and build careers in the field. Some criminal profilers may work as consultants with law enforcement agencies, and even with renowned units such as the or the, as well as in local law enforcement and private consulting.The field is a meld of, and students who have an interest in these fields can often make great profilers. Many criminal profilers study criminology or forensic psychology in order to develop relevant knowledge and insight into the minds of others, specifically criminals. It is also important to get a thorough background in the criminal justice system from crime prevention through incarceration and rehabilitation.
Both online and on-campus programs are available that allow interested students to pursue an education that will prepare them to seek work as a criminal profiler.Interested students should note that the criminal profiling field is very competitive and there are few positions available across the country. A majority of criminal cases do not require the expertise of a forensic psychology professional, and most profilers get their start as experienced investigators or detectives who may transition into this role. The (BLS) does not track information about this career, but a search on Indeed, Monster, or other job-hunting sites yields very few opportunities in criminal profiling. Alternatively, professionals trained in may seek out roles such as court liaison, law enforcement officer, probation officer, expert witness, jury consultant, juvenile offenders counselor, or forensic psychologist. The latter four roles generally require a graduate-level degree.Criminal Profiling: Online Certificates & DegreesAlthough criminal profiling is not necessarily a new career, it is one that does not offer a lot in terms of specialized education. Students interested in pursuing a career in criminal profiling should be prepared to earn a degree in a related discipline, such as psychology, sociology, or criminal justice, and to apply that knowledge to the career they want.Online CertificatesA number of programs offer online certificates in fields related to criminal profiling. Although not all are specifically tailored to future profilers, there is a broad base of knowledge and practical experience to be gained by exploring these types of educational opportunities.
Further, earning an online certificate in a field related to criminal profiling can be helpful in determining if profiling is indeed the right career path for you.Who should enroll in an online digital certificate program?Online certificate programs are a good pathway for future criminal profilers who do not have the time or resources to dedicate to a 4-year college degree or master’s level program at this time. Because courses are offered online, they tend to be more flexible for students who are currently employed and/or who have a busy life taking care of their families but still want to improve their career prospects.Further, many criminal profilers come from a law enforcement background. An online certificate program in a field such as criminal justice may be an appropriate option for beginning this type of career for those without law enforcement experience.Featured Online Certificate Programs(SNHU) offers an online criminology certificate program.
Open to students with no previous criminal justice experience, the certificate offers them a chance to learn about the American justice system, criminal law, and social science. These are all essential parts of the education necessary to become a criminal profiler. The certificate can also act as a jumping off point for those wishing to pursue further educational opportunities in criminology or criminal justice.offers an online certificate in criminal justice studies. The only admission requirement for the program is that students have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
Students are required to take five courses of three credits each that cover the areas of criminology, sociology, and law. Online UMass programs are accredited by the (NEASC).(MSU) offers an entirely online certificate in law enforcement intelligence and analysis (LEIA). This certificate is designed for students who already hold a relevant bachelor’s degree and are not yet ready to commit to the rigors of a master’s degree program at MSU or elsewhere. The program includes 45 contact hours per semester in classes such as issues in criminal justice, counterterrorism and intelligence, and law enforcement intelligence operations.(CSU) offers an online certificate in criminal forensics that could be directly applicable to a career as a criminal profiler. The upper-level courses are designed for those who are not able to complete a full undergraduate degree but want to earn credits that could be applicable to a bachelor’s degree in the future. Students at CSU will take courses such as forensic psychology, forensic interviewing, criminal investigation, and forensic photography.Online DegreesStudents that want to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree that can help them pursue a career in criminal profiling also have online options available. Accredited programs across the country offer online degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and other related fields.Who should enroll in an online degree program?As with the online certificate options, degrees are not yet offered that focus only on criminal profiling as a specialty.
Rather, students who want to further their education online in order to take advantage of scheduling flexibility as the self-motivated online learning approach should look for programs that focus on forensic psychology, sociology, or criminology.Featured Online Degree Programsoffers an online master’s degree in criminal justice that is particularly geared to those students who are actively working in law enforcement in some capacity (although it is open to all interested applicants, pending department approval). The online degree program requires five core courses as well as six elective courses in topics such as:. criminological theory.
law & public policy. criminal profiling. forensic psychology. criminal homicideStudents can earn the degree completely online, although a wider range of elective courses are available for on-campus students.offers an online bachelor of arts (BS) degree in criminology and law that would be highly applicable to a career as a criminal profiler. The program is part of the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and includes courses in advanced principles of criminal justice, criminological theory, and law and society.(UND) offers an online master of arts (MA) degree in forensic psychology. The program can be completed in two years (although part-time students may take longer) and consists of recorded lectures and one campus visit to North Dakota. The campus visit occurs the summer after completing lecture work and is known as a “capstone experience” where online students have the opportunity to “integrate, extend and apply knowledge” as well as interface with fellow students and professionals working in the law enforcement and criminal justice field.Criminal Profiling: Campus-Based Certificates and DegreesOf course, online learning is not for everyone.
Whether a student just learns better with the structure of a classroom or desire more hands-on experience and face-to-face interaction with fellow students and faculty, there are many reasons for an aspiring criminal profiler to seek out an on-campus program.CertificatesThe offers a certificate in criminology at its Salt Lake City campus, as part of its College of Sociology & Behavioral Science. The program is offered in conjunction with undergraduate education at the university, meaning students with another major are able to add this certificate as an emphasis.
Similar to other criminal profiling related programs, the certificate includes courses that focus on psychology, crime prevention and the criminal justice system.The U.S., known more briefly as the ATF, offers a specialized criminal profiling certification program for their agents. While this program is only open to current ATF agents, the certification is a highly respected opportunity that interested profilers may want to pursue. Agents are trained for two years in the intricacies of behavioral science principles, crime scene analysis and interpretation, forensic science and pathology so that they can assist in ATF investigations. At the end of the two-year training program, they are considered criminal profilers.Degrees(DU) School of Professional Psychology offers a master of arts (MA) degree in forensic psychology that would be directly applicable to anyone looking to pursue a career as a criminal profiler.
The program is not specifically tailored to criminal profiling, but is intended to act as a foundation for psychologists wishing to work in the criminal justice system in such capacities as victim assistance, police consultation, correctional institutions, domestic violence and child abuse programs, and trial consulting.The (Cal State LA or CSULA) School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics offers a bachelor of science (BS) degree in criminal justice that aspiring criminal profilers may want to consider. The four-year program takes place on the school’s Los Angeles campus and includes coursework in criminal procedures, crime scene management, white collar crime, and forensic mental health.Criminal Profiling School Accreditation and Professional CertificationEarning an education from an accredited institution can be very important to future career prospects as well as graduate or doctoral-level programs that graduates may choose to pursue down the line. Both online and on-campus programs should be able to indicate some level of accreditation, which shows that the program was evaluated by a third-party organization for its curriculum, faculty, and facilities. Programs can be accredited either by forensic-specific organizations such as the (AAFS) or a more general accreditation for higher education such as the (MSCHE) or NEASC. Accreditation information is easily available on the website for any school and applicants should be sure to seek out this information before applying to any criminal profiling or forensics program.Beyond indicating the robustness of a program, accreditation is required for professional certification in some instances. For example, the (IAFC) introduced a certification process that among its requirements has a degree from an accredited institution.