Notes: Criminal Psychology

1. Notes: Criminal Psychology Not in the book so pay attention 

2. What is criminal psychology? The application of psychological principles to criminal activity. Involves: Criminal behavior Risk assessment Crime prevention The criminal justice system

3. What is meant by “criminal behavior?” Conditions resulting in criminal behavior include: Antisocial personality disorder Sociopathy Psychopathy Conduct Disorder Borderline personality disorder

4. Antisocial Personality Disorder Manipulates, exploits, or violates the rights of others. Behavior is often criminal Chronic behavior that begins in childhood Fire-setting and cruelty to animals during childhood are often present

5. Anti-social Personality DisorderSymptoms: Breaks the law repeatedly Lies, steals, and fights often Disregards the safety of self and others Demonstrates a lack of guilt Had a childhood diagnosis (or symptoms consistent with) conduct disorder

6. Sociopath Person having anti-social personality disorder Physical aggression Disregard for others Inability to keep a job or form relationships Violates the rights of others Lack of regret for inappropriate actions

7. Psychopath: No concerns for the feelings of others Complete disregard for social obligation. Egocentric No sense of responsibility or consequence. Emotions are superficial, shallow, or absent Callous Manipulative Incapable of forming lasting relationships Incapable of meaningful love. Acts only for personal benefit

8. Sociopath vs. Psychopath Psychopaths are More organized in crimes Less easily recognized – appear “normal” More cunning Sociopaths are More agitated/nervous Act more spontaneously More socially inadequate – don’t fit in

9. Anti-social Personality Disorder vsPsychopathy All psychopaths have antisocial personality disorder, but not all patients with ASPD are psychopaths

10. Conduct Disorder The childhood equivalent of Antisocial personality disorder Characterized by: Aggression to people/animals Destruction of property Deceitfulness, lying, stealing Serious violation of rules

11. Types of criminal behavior: Arson Stalking Rape Murder Mass murder Serial killers Gang Activity

12. Arson Arson is usually for profit, or from anger Most arsonists are young, white males Most arsonists have unstable family history & background of humiliation Other motivations are excitement, revenge, thrills

13. Stalking Repeated harassment or other forms of invasion of a person's privacy in a manner that causes fear. Statutes vary between jurisdiction but may include such acts as: repeated physical following unwanted contact observing a person's actions closely for an extended period of time contacting family members, friends, or associates of a target inappropriately Cyberstalking

14. Stalking Psychology Some stalkers believe they can make the victim love them. Stalkers often manipulate through threats of suicide or intimidation. Stalkers often objectify the victim so they will feel less guilt about actions.

15. Multiple Murderers Multiple murderers are people who have killed more than one victim. Three basic categories – mass murderers Spree killers Serial killers

16. Mass Murderers kills four or more people at one location during one continuous period of time, whether it is a few minutes or over a period of days. Make no attempt to hide Often die by suicide or police after incident

17. Three Types of Mass Murderers: Family annihilators Paramilitary/political enthusiasts Revenge/Disgruntled workers School shootings

18. Family Annihilators In 2007, A man in LAYTONSVILLE, Md., shot and killed his ex-wife, their three children (12 y/o boy, 10 y/o girl, 6 y/o boy) and himself after winning custody of the kids in a divorce.

19. Paramilitary/Political Murderer Adolf Hitler The terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center perceive the victims as violating the terrorists' political or religious goals. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols bombed the federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, because they were angry at the federal government over the Waco, raid against the Branch Davidians

20. Revenge/Disgruntled Worker David Burke, a fired airline employee, followed his boss onto a plane in 1987, shot him, and caused the plane to crash, killing forty-three people. Pat Sherrill, fearing that he might be fired from his postal job, killed fourteen coworkers and wounded six others in 1986. In 1999, Mark Barton, a day trader, killed his family and entered two brokerage firms, slaying nine and wounding twelve after losing a great deal of money .

21. School Shootings In 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 classmates, 1 teacher, and wounded 24 others at Columbine High School before shooting themselves. In 1998, Kip Kinkel, 15, killed 2 classmates and wounded 25 others at Thurston HS (Oregon) after killing his two parents in their home.

22. Spree Killers kill two or more victims, but are in more than one location. the spree is considered a single event, because there is no "cooling off" period between the murders.

23. Example of Spree Killer: George Banks In George Banks, a prison guard, went hunting for his loved ones in various locations at 2 am. The following were killed in the spree: three girlfriends his five children (ages 1 – 11) two neighbors who were trying to flee A former girlfriend & their 5-year-old son his Former girlfriend’s mother His former girlfriend’s 7-year-old nephew Two brothers of the former Girlfriend (survived)

24. Serial Killers murder three or more victims, but each is killed on separateoccasions usually select their victims cooling off periods between murders plan their crimes carefully

25. Serial Killers Most serial killers will fall into a pattern, either of modus operandi, location, victim type, motive, etc. The patterns of activities often allow police to apprehend the killer. Serial killers are often described as ‘normal’, ‘very chatty’ and ‘a good neighbor’.

26. Serial Killers Typical serial Killers are: Predominantly male White Within their twenties or thirties Middle class Kill within their ethnic group

27. Types of serial killers:1. Organized Characteristics: Socially competent, intelligent , a planner, generally targets strangers, someone who uses restraints, Sexually assaults their victims and uses a vehicle. Typical behaviors: living with a partner, follows the crime in the media, plans the killing, the victim’s body is hidden, evidence is often absent, may return to the crime scene and anticipates police questioning.  Very difficult to catch

28. Examples of organized killers:(May want to add these to your notes) Ted Bundy: fake cast on arm, gained sympathy and then beat victims with a metal post Harold Shipman: a physician who killed over 250 elderly patients by making it look like death from natural causes

29. Types of serial killers:2. Disorganized Characteristics: socially immature, may know his victims, kills spontaneously, harsh childhood discipline. Typical behaviors: lives alone, knows victim, sloppy crime scene, evidence present, shows no interest in the media, and does not change lifestyle as a result of the killing. Easier to catch than the organized killer

30. Examples of disorganized killers Ed Gein: collected parts and displayed them around the house. He got the parts both from women that he killed and from exhumed graves David Berkowitz: stabbed or shot couples sitting in their cars, and then ran away

31. Types of Serial Killer (motives) Visionary type: “visions” or “voices” guide their actions Mission-orientated type – want to remove a certain group from society Hedonistic type - derive pleasure or gain from the killing Power/ control-orientated type - enjoy controlling their victims (pick who, when, where, how, etc)

32. Risk Assessment:How are criminals ‘made’? Genetics/DNA/chromosomes Environmental factors Biochemistry Family traits Economic circumstances Neurological damage A combination of these factors can be devastating

33. What is Criminal Profiling? Study and prediction of criminal behavior used to indicate: How the criminal thinks Motivation for crime Modus operandi Signature

34. How is Profiling Used? As a tool to identify possible suspects As a tool to point investigators in the right direction As a tool to open new leads As a tool to help investigators know what evidence to look for Not as a tool for conviction – conviction requires evidence, not speculation

35. History of Criminal Profiling: • Hans Gross- First to profile criminals • Cesare Lombroso- “Father of Scientific Criminology” • believed all criminals shared many characteristics

36. Stages of the Profiling Process: • 1. Input: Goal is to collect as much information about the crime as possible. • Crime scene photos, body placement, physical evidence, victim history, autopsy reports, etc.

37. 2. Decision process models: Classify the crime, determine motive and asses risk level.

38. 3. Crime assessment: Reconstruct the crime which will then give clues about WHO committed the crime. Look at MO and signature.

39. 4. Criminal profile: Developing a description of the suspect based on facts collected thus far. • May include: race, sex, physical characteristics, habits, values and beliefs. • Specific crimes tend to be committed by criminals who fit a certain pattern

40. 5. Investigation: Suspects that match profile can now be evaluated.

41. 6. Apprehension: Final goal of the profiling process which is to arrest the person responsible for the crime.

42. Elements of a criminal profile Probable AGE, sex, and race Probable residence and living arrangements Intelligence level Probable occupation Probable marital status Psychosexual maturity Probable type/condition of vehicle Probable motivating factors Probable arrest record Provocating factors to incite the suspect Recommended interrogation techniques

43. Modus Operandi and Signature Modus operandi (MO): Pattern of behavior when committing a crime. Method commonly used by the criminal Victim/location selection, means of attack, use of weapon, planning, means of transport Valuables taken Evidence left behind Bundy: approach victim in daylight, gain their trust, lure them to his car, and hit them in the head with a crowbar, disposal in one specific dump site.

44. Ritual and Signature Signature: Something unusual or specific left at the crime scene by a criminal. What the criminal does beyond the crime; the acting out of a fantasy Wound patterns, sex acts, means of control, rituals, talk, staging the body Souvenirs taken Evidence destroyed

45. MO vs. Signature MO can change or evolve over time as criminal becomes more experienced Signature is the ‘calling card’ or Trademark Signature points to personality traits, hang-ups, and compulsions Signatures do not change, but may worsen over time

46. Victimology • The study of victims affected by crime, accidents, or natural disasters.

47. In order to fully understand the nature of the crime and to determine a pool of suspects, you must understand the victimof the crime. • Most emotionally difficult part of the crime because it subjects the investigator to the heinous nature of the crime.

48. By understanding the victim’s lifestyle, it can help gather a potential list of suspects. • Can also assess risk potential to determine if the crime occurred due to the victim placing themselves in a high risk situation. • Very subjective • A very low risk situation may indicate that they victim knew the perpetrator.