Criminal Profiling Essay Example
The Origin and Art of Criminal Profiling
Sawyer Thompson
Southwest Baptist University
December 13, 2011
Abstract
Criminal profiling is a process by which investigators attempt to solve a crime through careful analyzing of data and patterns. It can be found in numerous places throughout history, from the Roman Catholic Church to World War II to the present day. It officially began in the Behavioral Science Unit; Howard Teten, Pat Mullany, Robert Ressler, and John Douglas are four of the most well-known individuals associated with profiling. Numerous serial killers have been caught by using this process and it is suspected that the identity of Jack the Ripper would be known today had this technique been used in that time. There are six stages to developing a criminal profile: profiling inputs, decision process models, crime assessment, criminal profile, investigation, and apprehension. The study done by Douglas and three others provides a great glimpse into the meticulous and complex process. It is the hopes of many that the process of criminal profiling can continue to be modified and improved, and that the fact of its validity will be recognized.
The Origin and Art of FBI Profiling In the 1970’s, serial killer Ted Bundy terrorized the western United States. One of the most prolific serial killers in this country’s history, Bundy admitted to murdering in excess of 30 women across seven states and the actual number of victims could be much higher. But Ted did not wake up one morning and randomly decide to commit such heinous crimes as rape, murder, and necrophilia. The traits that led him to do this developed over time. During his college years, he had a relationship and fell in love with a fellow student; it appears that the growing obsession changed him for the worst (Montaldo, n.d.). Her name was Stephanie. She came from a wealthy family, was very ambitious, and had long, straight, brown hair which she
Sawyer Thompson
Southwest Baptist University
December 13, 2011
Abstract
Criminal profiling is a process by which investigators attempt to solve a crime through careful analyzing of data and patterns. It can be found in numerous places throughout history, from the Roman Catholic Church to World War II to the present day. It officially began in the Behavioral Science Unit; Howard Teten, Pat Mullany, Robert Ressler, and John Douglas are four of the most well-known individuals associated with profiling. Numerous serial killers have been caught by using this process and it is suspected that the identity of Jack the Ripper would be known today had this technique been used in that time. There are six stages to developing a criminal profile: profiling inputs, decision process models, crime assessment, criminal profile, investigation, and apprehension. The study done by Douglas and three others provides a great glimpse into the meticulous and complex process. It is the hopes of many that the process of criminal profiling can continue to be modified and improved, and that the fact of its validity will be recognized.
The Origin and Art of FBI Profiling In the 1970’s, serial killer Ted Bundy terrorized the western United States. One of the most prolific serial killers in this country’s history, Bundy admitted to murdering in excess of 30 women across seven states and the actual number of victims could be much higher. But Ted did not wake up one morning and randomly decide to commit such heinous crimes as rape, murder, and necrophilia. The traits that led him to do this developed over time. During his college years, he had a relationship and fell in love with a fellow student; it appears that the growing obsession changed him for the worst (Montaldo, n.d.). Her name was Stephanie. She came from a wealthy family, was very ambitious, and had long, straight, brown hair which she