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Criminal Profile Into the Mind of the Killer

NCJ Number
234124
Author(s)
Wayne Petherick
Date Published
2005
Length
176 pages
Annotation
The author, an experienced criminal profiler, presents an indepth analysis of the history, benefits, limitations, and harms of his profession.
Abstract
In the introduction, a "criminal profiler" is defined as "one who examines criminal behavior in order to understand an offender's various characteristics." The public, however, has often demanded more from criminal profilers than they can realistically provide, stemming largely from mass-media portrayals of fictional profilers. This book is an effort to bridge the gap between the myth of the criminal profiler with super powers who can provide accurate details about an offender from evidence at the crime scene and the real work that is being done by criminal profilers today. A chapter on the "Origins and History of Profiling" provides an understanding of how criminal profiling has evolved through individuals who have advanced the methods of the profession through their key contributions in various high-profile cases. Based on the past history of criminal profiling, the author envisions further development of current methods, but also new methods, more research, and a greater understanding of what each method involves. The second chapter addresses "Modus Operandi, Signature, and Motive." The sections of this chapter focus on the criminal methods, distinctive features, and possible motives for a particular crime, which carries information for the profiler in constructing a behavioral and psychological profile of the offender. Other chapters address various approaches within criminal profiling, the logic and reasoning in criminal profiling, the potential usefulness and harms of criminal profiling, and how profilers can be used in court under the rules of evidence for expert witnesses. A glossary and a 57-item bibliography