CRIMINAL PROFILING

• Technique used to identify the perpetrator of a violent crime

by identifying the personality and behavioral
characteristics of the offender based upon an analysis of
the crime committed.

• Purpose: Understand and predict the behavior of a criminal

based on patterns and evidence.

• Also Known As: Offender profiling or psychological

profiling.

• Methods:
1. Analyzing crime scenes, evidence, and victim profiles.
2. Psychologically evaluating belongings retrieved from an
offender.
• Key Aspects Considered:
1. Emotional, psychological, physical, habitual,
and vocational characteristics of a suspect.
• Applications:
1. Predicting future offenses and potential
victims.
2. Suspect identification by establishing common
patterns.
• Focus Areas:
1. Predictive Profiling.
2. Suspect Identification.
• Outcome:
1. Provides law enforcement with a psychological
and social profile of the offender.
2. Offers strategies and suggestions for
interviewing the suspect.
• Goal:
1. Enhance the understanding of the accused’s
mind to aid in solving and preventing crimes.
• In 1888, during the infamous serial killings in
London attributed to Jack the Ripper, the
first use of profiling techniques occurred.
The unidentified killer targeted female
prostitutes in the Whitechapel district,
mutilating their bodies with surgical precision.
Police surgeon Thomas Bond was enlisted to
examine the case.
• Crime Scene Analysis:
• Gruesome murders involved precise mutilation
and removal of internal organs.
• Indicated the perpetrator had knowledge of
anatomy or surgery.
• Methodology of Thomas Bond:
• Focused on the most mutilated victim's case.
• Studied post mortem notes from past canonical
murders.
• Profile Creation:
• Developed a "profile" for investigators based on the
modus operandi and personality traits of the
perpetrator.
• Profile Characteristics:
• Physically strong: Inferred from the nature of the
mutilations.
• Cool and daring: Traits suggested by the precision
of the acts.
• Periodic episodes of erotic and homicidal mania:
Indicated a potential psychological pattern.
• Abnormal sexual condition like Satyriasis: A conclusion
drawn from the observed behaviors.

• Insights Derived by Bond:

• Perpetrator likely possessed anatomical or surgical
knowledge.
• Traits such as physical strength, coolness, and daring were
identified.
• Suggested a connection to periodic episodes of erotic and
homicidal mania.
• Indicated a potential abnormal sexual condition resembling
Satyriasis.
• Application in Investigation:
• The profile served as a psychological and
behavioral framework for investigators.
• Helped in narrowing down potential suspects
and directing the investigation
 George Metesky, "The Mad
Bomber,"
• Dr. James A. Brussel, a New York-based
psychiatrist, is credited with the first modern-
day application of criminal profiling in the
1950s. He played a crucial role in helping
capture George Metesky, known as "The Mad
Bomber," who had terrorized New York City
with 37 bombs between 1940 and 1956.
• Set off 37 bombs in New York City between 1940 and
1956.
• Evaded capture for about 16 years, creating a state of
terror.
• Examination of Crime Scene Photos and Notes:
• Dr. Brussel analyzed crime scene photos and notes
left by the bomber.
• Inferences Drawn by Dr. Brussel:
• Estimated the bomber's age to be in his 50s.
• Concluded that the bomber was unmarried, self-
educated, foreign-born, and paranoid.
• Speculated that the bomber was staying in
Connecticut with a sibling..
• Logic and Psychology Combination:
• Used logical reasoning and psychology to make
groundbreaking inferences.
• Deduced the approximate age based on the peak of
paranoia around 35 years old.
• Prediction Accuracy:
• In 1957, Metesky was located and arrested by the
police.
• Dr. Brussel's predictions were largely accurate,
including the bomber's age, marital status, education,
nationality, and living situation.
• Spot-On Prediction of Attire:
• Dr. Brussel even predicted that Metesky would
be wearing a buttoned double-breasted suit
when located.
• This uncanny prediction proved accurate when
Metesky was indeed found in the anticipated
attire.
• Key components of criminal profiling include:
1. Crime Scene Analysis: Examining the crime scene
for patterns, evidence, and clues that may provide
insights into the offender's behavior, motives, and
personality traits.

2. Victimology: Studying information about the victims

to understand any patterns or relationships that may
exist and help in identifying the type of person the
offender may target.
3. Behavioral Analysis: Analyzing the offender's
actions and behavior during the commission of the
crime, such as modus operandi (MO) and signature
aspects, to determine patterns and motivations.
• Geographical Profiling: Examining the
locations of the crimes to identify possible
patterns and geographical areas where the
offender might be based.

• Psychological Assessment:Drawing on
psychological theories and knowledge to
develop a profile that includes the likely
personality traits, background, and motivations
of the offender.
 Criminal Profiling Technique

Top-Down Profiling:
Begins with broad characteristics of offenders.
Refines details based on evidence and crime scene
analysis.

Bottom-Up Profiling:
Starts with specific details from evidence and crime
scenes.
Builds a profile by piecing together these details.
• Scenario: Serial Killer Targeting Strangers

Background:
• In a city, a series of murders have occurred
where the victims seemingly have no
connection to each other. The local law
enforcement seeks the assistance of a
criminal profiler to help identify and apprehend
the serial killer.
 Key Details:
• The victims vary in age, gender, and
socioeconomic status.
• The murders have taken place in different
neighborhoods.
• There is evidence of strangulation in all
cases.
• The victims are found in public places rather
than secluded areas.
• The killer leaves behind a small, cryptic note at
each crime scene.
 Profiling Analysis:
1. Victimology:
• Note the diversity among victims,
suggesting that the offender does not
have a specific target demographic.
• This could indicate a motive beyond
personal grudges or vendettas.
• Crime Scene Analysis:
• The fact that the murders occur in public
places may indicate that the killer is
comfortable operating in areas with potential
witnesses, suggesting a level of confidence or
audacity.
• Method of Killing:
• The consistent use of strangulation may
suggest a degree of physical strength and a
hands-on approach, possibly indicating a
personal and intimate form of violence.

• Symbolic Signature Analysis:

• The presence of a small, cryptic note -
indicate a desire for communication or
manipulation. Profilers may delve into the
content and symbolism of the notes to gain
insights into the killer's mindset.
• Psychological Profile:
• The profiler might hypothesize that the
offender is likely male, exhibits a need for
control, and may have a history of violence or
aggression. The cryptic notes may suggest a
desire for attention or a specific message the
killer wants to convey.
• Geographical Analysis:
• Analyzing the locations of the murders may
help identify potential patterns or a central
point from which the offender operates. It could
also aid in predicting where the killer might
strike next.
 Scenario: Series of Arson
Cases
• Background:
In a city, there have been a series of arson
cases where an unknown offender has been
setting fire to abandoned buildings. The local
authorities are seeking the assistance of a
criminal profiler to help identify and
apprehend the arsonist.
 Key Details:
• The fires have occurred in different parts of
the city.
• The buildings targeted are consistently
abandoned structures.
• There is no evidence of accelerants being
used.
• The fires are set during nighttime hours.
• The arsonist leaves behind a distinctive
symbol at each crime scene.
• Geographical Analysis:
The profiler may analyze the locations of the
arsons to identify patterns or a possible central
point from which the offender operates. This
could help in predicting where the arsonist might
strike next.
Victimology:
Since the buildings targeted are consistently
abandoned, the profiler may infer that the
offender is not seeking to harm individuals
directly. This could suggest a focus on the act of
arson itself rather than personal motives.
• Behavioral Analysis:
• The fact that no accelerants are used
indicates a level of familiarity with fire-starting
techniques, possibly suggesting a background
in or knowledge of arson methods.
• Setting fires during nighttime hours may imply
a desire to avoid detection, indicating a
cautious or calculated offender
Symbolic Signature Analysis:
The presence of a distinctive symbol at each
crime scene could indicate a desire for
recognition or a specific message. Profilers might
delve into the symbolism to understand the
offender's motives or psychological state.

Psychological Profile:
The profiler might hypothesize that the offender is
likely male, exhibits a fascination with fire, and
may have a history of antisocial behavior or
previous criminal activity.