WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING?

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING

• Psychological profiling involves investigating an

offender's behaviour, motives and background in

an attempt to further guide an investigation.

• Analyzing the criminal's habits and rituals allows

investigators to trace similarities between

previous crimes. When these details of their

lifestyle are made public, friends, neighbours and

colleagues may recognize them.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING

• The process of psychological profiling began over a

century ago, but was first distinctly used as a method

in America during the 1950's.

• Investigators discovered through research, intriguing

patterns and similarities between serial killer's

behaviour. Some of the patterns discovered include

the killers having suffered from child abuse as

youngsters, whether it is sexual or physical and that

this kind of abuse led to abnormal behaviours later

on.

MACDONALD TRIAD (TRIAD OF SOCIOPATHY)

• The triad links animal cruelty, obsession with fire

setting, and persistent bedwetting past the age of

five in children and teenagers to violent behaviours;

particularly homicidal behaviour.

• Late teenage years to early twenties, these

individuals were engaging in petty crimes and

defying authority.

• Although other studies have not found statistically

significant links between the triad of violence and

violent offenders, many serial killers exhibited these

behaviours during childhood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macdonald_triad

APPLICATION OF MACDONALD TRIAD

• Dennis Lynn Rader is an American serial killer

who murdered ten people in Sedgwick County

between 1974 and 1991.

• He is known as the BTK killer (or the BTK

strangler). "BTK" stands for "Bind, Torture, Kill,"

which was his infamous signature. He sent letters

describing the details of the killings to police and

to local news outlets during the period of time in

which the murders took place.http://dennisraderbtk.blogspot.ca/

TYPES OF SERIAL KILLERS

• Visionary Type: such murderers kill in response to

the commands of voices or visions usually emanating

from the forces of good or evil. • Often believed to be suffering from some form

of psychosis.

• Mission-Oriented Type: these offenders believe it is

their mission in life to rid the community or society of

certain groups of people. • Some killers may target the elderly,

prostitutes, children, or a particular racial/ethnic group.

TYPES OF SERIAL KILLERS

• Hedonistic Type: offenders in the category are usually

stereotyped as ‘thrill seekers’, those who derive

satisfaction from the murders. ‘Lust murders’

• Often referred to as sexual and sadistic (deriving

pleasure from inflicting pain and suffering)

• Power/Control-Oriented Type: primary source of

pleasure is not sexual, but the killer’s ability to control

and exert power over his helpless victim

• Murders for Profit: offenders murder individuals in

order to make a profit

TYPES OF MURDERERS

Through profiling techniques, the FBI has

identified characteristics of ‘organized’ and

‘disorganized’ murders

ORGANIZED KILLERS

D

D

D

exter Morgan is a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department

who also leads a secret life as a serial killer. Dexter would be considered an example of

an organized killer.

Opening theme - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESicykvHUyk (2 mins)

h

ttp://serialkillermethods.weebly.com/organizeddisorganized.html

DISORGANIZED KILLERS

- Aileen Wuornos is an example of a disorganized killer.

- Monster movie trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq70brIQP40 (2 mins)

- Aileen Wuornos coming clean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yi2dbaQ3mM (5 mins)

PSYCHOPATHR

Robert Hare, a researcher in the field describes

psychopaths as "intraspecies predators who use

charm, manipulation, intimidation, sex and violence to

control others and to satisfy their own selfish needs.

Lacking in conscience and empathy, they take what

they want and do as they please, violating social

norms and expectations without guilt or remorse".

"What is missing, in other words, are the very

qualities that allow a human being to live in social

harmony."

PSYCHOPATH

Psychopaths are superficially charming, and many

psychopaths are excellent mimics of normal human

emotion; some psychopaths can blend in,

undetected, in a variety of surroundings, including

corporate environments. There is neither a cure nor

any effective treatment for psychopathy; there are

no medications or other techniques which can instill

empathy, and psychopaths who undergo traditional

talk therapy only become more adept at

manipulating others.

TED BUNDY- Born to Kill?clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYAxfdj5_hY