investigating the criminal mind

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Investigating the criminal mind

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Investigating the criminal mind. Examination of physical evidence  helps determine the who , what , and how of crime Forensic psychiatrists help determine the why . Clinical vs. Forensic Psychiatry. Role of forensic psychiatrist may include:. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Investigating the criminal mind

Investigating the criminal mind

Page 2: Investigating the criminal mind

• Examination of physical evidence helps determine the who, what, and

how of crime

• Forensic psychiatrists help determine the why

Page 3: Investigating the criminal mind

Clinical vs. Forensic PsychiatryClinical Forensic

Goal Improve patients condition

Dissect person’s personality

Relationship Trusting Adversarial

Dialogue Truthful Can include attempts at lying and deceit

Page 4: Investigating the criminal mind

Role of forensic psychiatrist may include:•Assess the role of alcohol and drugs in a defendant’s conduct

•Determine competency to stand trial

•Assess a subject’s understanding of reality and responsibility

•Offer a judgment regarding the suspect’s state of mind at the time of the crime (NOTE: Sanity is ruled on by the court)

•Create a psychological profile of the type of individual who likely committed the crime

Page 5: Investigating the criminal mind

Techniques of assessment of suspects:• 1st: medical history or physical exam—can reveal medical problems that may alter thinking or understanding• 2nd: testing the mind—3 categories Personality inventories: assess subject’s basic personality type; highly standardized and reliable Projective testing—evaluate person’s thought processes; less standardized and more subjective

but may help uncover obsessions and fantasies that drive crime (ex. Inkblot exam)

Cognitive testing—assess subject’s intelligence and ability to understand his other own behavior

(ex. IQ test)

Page 7: Investigating the criminal mind

Techniques of assessment of suspects:

• 3rd: interview the subject—investigate areas of concern from earlier tests

--Questioning starts out broad gradually becomes more probing

--Focus is to uncover motivations--Be cautious of lying and false confessions

**controversial techniques= hypnosis and “truth serum”Read case study

(“Hypnotizing Kenneth Bianchi,” page 57)

Page 8: Investigating the criminal mind

Serial Offenders

List common crimes:

List possible motives for such crimes:

How do serial killers differ?

Page 9: Investigating the criminal mind

•Suspect kills more than one person at different times and locations with cooling-off periods between the killings.•Most often prey on strangers•Motives are private and personal (not obvious)•“Fantasy” plays large role

Definition/characteristics of serial killing:

Zodiac Killer

Page 10: Investigating the criminal mind

Criminal Profiling

Purpose: the profile may not lead to an exact individual, but may help narrow the focus of the investigation

Rational behind profiling: behavior reflects personality

Descriptors used in profiling:Age Sex RaceResidency Proximity Social skillsWork history Educational level

Page 11: Investigating the criminal mind

Linking Criminals

Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP) and PROFILER=

FBI databases to help match serial offenders with crimes and profiles

Page 12: Investigating the criminal mind

Source of content: Lyle, D.P. (2004). Forensics for Dummies. Indianapolis: Wiley Productions Inc.