This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by HOMANT, R. J. Articles by KENNEDY, D. B. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Psychological Aspects of Crime Scene Profiling

Validity Research

University of Detroit Mercy

DANIEL B. KENNEDY

University of Detroit Mercy

Crime scene profiling is distinguished from psychological profiling and offender profiling, and the profiling process is described. A review of the literature on offender types indicates that it may be possible to generalize from various behavioral aspects of a crime scene to some characteristics of the perpetrator. There is some evidence that it may be possible to type offenders and crime scenes as organized or disorganized, and that this categorization may be related to certain aspects of offender personality. There is also some evidence that those who are FBI trained in profiling may perform better at the task. At this time, however, the evidence for the validity of profiles is weak, and it is recommended that profiling not be relied on to the exclusion of other alternatives. There is a need for more specific validity research, especially when profiling is generalized beyond its original purpose of providing leads and focusing investigations.

Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 25, No. 3, 319-343 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/0093854898025003003


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Snook, R. M. Cullen, C. Bennell, P. J. Taylor, and P. Gendreau The Criminal Profiling Illusion: What's Behind the Smoke and Mirrors? Criminal Justice and Behavior, October 1, 2008; 35(10): 1257 - 1276. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Snook, J. Eastwood, P. Gendreau, C. Goggin, and R. M. Cullen Taking Stock of Criminal Profiling: A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis Criminal Justice and Behavior, April 1, 2007; 34(4): 437 - 453. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. N. Kocsis, G. Z. Heller, and A. Try Visual Versus Narrative Case Material: The Impact on Criminal Psychological Profiling Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol, December 1, 2003; 47(6): 664 - 676. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. N. Kocsis, R. W. Cooksey, and H. J. Irwin Psychological Profiling of Offender Characteristics from Crime Behaviors in Serial Rape Offences Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol, April 1, 2002; 46(2): 144 - 169. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Vossekuil, R. Borum, R. Fein, and M. Reddy Preventing Targeted Violence Against Judicial Officials and Courts The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, January 1, 2001; 576(1): 78 - 90. [Abstract] [PDF]