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CSS Criminology Notes - Criminal Behavior
CSS Criminology Notes - Criminal Behavior
(i) Clinical:
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(ii) Experimental:
In this case the task of psychologist is to perform a research in order to inform a case. This
can involve executing experimental tests for the purposes of illustrating a point or providing
further information to courts. This may involve false memory, eyewitness credibility
experiments and such. For example, this way questions similar to “how likely would a
witness see an object in 100 meters?” will be answered.
(iii) Actuarial:
This role involves usage of statistics in order to inform a case. For example, a psychologist
may be asked to provide probability of an event occurring. Therefore, the courts may ask
how likely a person will reoffend if a sentence is declined.
(iv) Advisory:
Here a psychologist may advice police about how to proceed with the investigation. For
example, which is the best way to interview the individual, how best cross-examine a
vulnerable or another expert witness, how an offender will act after committing the offence.
3. Profiling
A major part of criminal psychology, known as criminal profiling, began in the 1940s when
the United StatesOffice of Strategic Services asked William L. Langer’s brother Walter C.
Langer, a well renowned psychiatrist, to draw up a profile of Adolf Hitler. After the Second
World WarBritish psychologist Lionel Haward, while working for the Royal Air Force police,
drew up a list of characteristics which high-ranking war criminals might display, to be able
to spot them amongst ordinary captured soldiers and airmen. A renowned Italian
Psychologist Cesare Lumbroso (1835-1909) was thought to be one of the first criminologist
to attempt to formally classify criminals based on age, sex, gender, physical characteristics,
education, and geographic region. When comparing these similar characteristics he better
understood the origin of motivation of criminal behavior. Published his book called The
Criminal Man. Lumbroso studied 383 Italian inmates. Based on his studies, he suggested
that there were three types of criminals. Born Criminals which meant these people are
degenerates and the insane criminals are ones that suffer a mental illness. Also he studied
and found specific physical characteristics. A few examples include asymmetry of the face,
eye defects and peculiarities, and ears of unusual size, etc.
Criminal and forensic psychologists may also consider the following questions:
(i) Is a mental disorder present now? Was it present during the time of the crime?
(ii) What is the level of responsibility of the offender for the crime?
(iii) What is the risk of reoffending and which risk factors are involved?
(iv) Is treatment possible to reduce the risk of reoffending?
5. Key Studies
A number of key studies of psychology especially relevant to understanding criminology
have been undertaken, these include: