Measurement and Profiling

Dr. N. T. Alee
GITAM University
Measurement of Criminal Behaviour
➢ The objective of the psychological test is to measure the underlying psychopathology as well as the personality of
the suspect who is the suspect of the crime.
➢ It gives an indication of the suspect’s antisocial personality, deviant behaviour and other factors of personality
which can instigate the criminal towards crime. Various types of psychological tests which are objective, valid and
reliable are developed to identify the criminal.
➢ Temperament character inventory; TCI are used in the field of forensic psychology. The intelligence test is applied
to measure the verbal and performance intelligence of the individual.
➢ It measures individual’s capacity to plan, organise and execute the thought. It also evaluates the level of abstract
thinking and logical ability. A study concluded that psychopaths have higher intelligence level compared to the
normal suspects (Cleckley, 1976).
➢ The probability of suspects with higher IQ, particularly in verbal intelligence were observed to indulge in violent
crime at the later stage of their life. (Johansson, et.al., 2005). Some of the commonly used tests are described below.
1. MMPI‐2‐RF:
➢ Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition, Restructured Form A revised 338‐item version of
the MMPI‐2 designed to provide an exhaustive and efficient assessment of a broad range of clinically significant
psychiatric symptoms, including personality characteristics, behavioral tendencies, interpersonal functioning, and
interests. It is comprised of 8 validity scales and 42 substantive scales. The test is appropriate for individuals 18
years and older who have a reading level between the fourth and fifth grade.
2. PAI:
➢ Personality Assessment Inventory A 344‐item personality assessment that evaluates psychopathological syndromes
for the purposes of providing information relative to clinical diagnosis, treatment planning and screening for
psychopathology. There are 4 validity scales, 11 clinical scales, 5 treatment scales and 2 interpersonal scales. This
test is appropriate for individuals 18 years and older and requires a fourth grade reading level.
3. HCR‐20:
➢ Historical‐Clinical‐Risk 20 A 20‐item checklist to assess the risk for future violent behavior in criminal psychiatric
populations, ages 18 to 65. The items are divided into 3 sections: Historical (10 items that assess previous violence,
age at first violent offense, family and vocational background, etc); Clinical (5 items that looks at current
symptomatology and psychosocial adjustment); and Risk Management (5 items regarding release and treatment
plan, necessary services and support, etc).
4. VRAG:
➢ Violence Risk Appraisal Guide A 12‐factor actuarial risk assessment instrument used to estimate the probability of
violent reoffending by mentally ill offenders. Requires a PCL‐R score.
5. PCL‐R:
➢ Hare Psychopathy Checklist‐Revised, Second Edition A 20‐item scale designed to assess psychopathy. It uses a
semi‐structured interview format, file, and collateral information to assess the inferred personality traits and
behaviors related to the construct of psychopathy. A total score, two factor scores, and four facet scores are
rendered.
➢ Projective tests; like Rorschach (Rorschach. H, 1960), Thematic Apperception test (Murray, H.A., Morgan, C.D.;
1930), Bender Gestalt test (Hutt,1945) and Draw a person (Goodenough. F, 1926,1963, 1976), Draw a person test,
an Indian Adaptation (Phatak. P, 1987) etc. are designed for suspects to respond to unstructured, semi- structured or
ambiguous stimuli, which reveals hidden emotions, desires and internal conflicts.
➢ The experts believe that, more freely the suspect responds, the better is his/ her psychological interpretation. The
paper- pencil test does not give complete freedom of choice of expression and therefore, some researchers and
clinicians prefer to use projective tests.
➢ In projective tests, a person is shown ambiguous stimuli (ie. unstructured shapes or pictures) and is asked to
respond to it in an elaborate way.
➢ Such stimuli allow complete freedom in projecting his/her own interests, needs and feelings on test. Projective tests
are believed to be sensitive to unconscious dimensions of personality.
➢ The use of defense mechanisms, latent impulses, fear, insecurities and anxieties are inferred from data gathered on
test and observation made during testing situation.
➢ Projective tests; like Rorschach (Rorschach. H, 1960), Thematic Apperception test (Murray, H.A., Morgan, C.D.;
1930), Bender Gestalt test (Hutt,1945) and Draw a person (Goodenough. F, 1926,1963, 1976), Draw a person test,
an Indian Adaptation (Phatak. P, 1987) etc. are designed for suspects to respond to unstructured, semi- structured or
ambiguous stimuli, which reveals hidden emotions, desires and internal conflicts.
➢ The experts believe that, more freely the suspect responds, the better is his/ her psychological interpretation. The
paper- pencil test does not give complete freedom of choice of expression and therefore, some researchers and
clinicians prefer to use projective tests.
➢ In projective tests, a person is shown ambiguous stimuli (ie. unstructured shapes or pictures) and is asked to
respond to it in an elaborate way.
➢ Such stimuli allow complete freedom in projecting his/her own interests, needs and feelings on test. Projective tests
are believed to be sensitive to unconscious dimensions of personality.
➢ The use of defense mechanisms, latent impulses, fear, insecurities and anxieties are inferred from data gathered on
test and observation made during testing situation.
Criminal profiling
➢ Criminal profiling is a sub discipline of forensic criminology. It is, a discipline within criminology, rooted in the
behavioral sciences and forensic sciences alike. Thus it is vital that students seeking to develop the skill of profiling
educate themselves properly, and thoroughly, in scientific methodology and the behavioral sciences.
Definition
➢ Criminal profiling involves making inferences about the habitual, physical, emotional, psychological, and even
vocational characteristics of criminals. However, there are many different methods of criminal profiling, and all
vary with respect to the soundness of underlying theory, logic, and insight. Some methods are general, abstract, and
trait predictive; others are specific, concrete, and state descriptive. Some rely on offender group statistics; some rely
solely on experience; and some rely on examining case-specific behavioral evidence.
➢ Criminal psychological profiling is the technique of analyzing the behavioral patterns of a crime or series of crimes
in order to primarily construct a descriptive pattern of the probable offender. Criminal profiling has been used
successfully by law enforcement in several areas and is a valuable tool to narrow the field of investigation. Profiling
does not provide the specific identity of the offender. Rather, it indicates the description of the probable offender by
focusing on certain behavioral and personality characteristics (e.g. age, sex, marital status, and employment status).
Skills Required
Regardless of the method being used, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are generally of benefit to every
criminal profiler:
1.Knowledge of the criminal justice system in general
2.Knowledge of the various methods of criminal investigation
3.Knowledge of the scientific method
4.Knowledge of the science of logic
5.Knowledge of forensic science and the various methods of physical evidence collection and examination
6.Knowledge of victims, crime, and criminals
7.Knowledge of human sociology in relation to the study and examination of victims, crime, and criminals
8.Knowledge of human psychology in relation to the study and examination of victims, crime, and criminals
9.Knowledge of mental illness in relation to the study and examination of victims, crime, and criminals
10.Knowledge of drugs and alcohol in relation to the study and examination of victims, crime, and criminals
11.Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
12.Knowledge of human sexuality in all of its contexts and incarnations
13.The skill and ability to perform competent research
14.The skill and ability to write competently and professionally
15.The skill and ability to make valid arguments based on sound logic and reasoning 16.The skill and ability to
write reports that meet judicial standards
17.The skill and ability to give effective courtroom testimony
Process and Factors of profiling criminal personality

1. Profiling Inputs Stage

➢ Complete background information on the victim is also vital in homicide profiles. The data should cover domestic setting,
reputation, hobbies, physical condition, employment, habits, fears, personality, criminal history, family relationships, and
social conduct.
➢ Autopsy report with toxicology/serology results, autopsy photographs, and photographs of the cleansed wounds
➢ medical examiner's findings and impressions regarding type of weapon, estimated time and cause of death, and suspected
sequence of delivery of wounds. Also useful are crime scene sketches showing distances, directions, and scale, as well as
maps of the area
➢ The data and photographs can reveal such significant elements as the level of risk of the victim, the degree of control
exhibited by the offender, the offender's emotional state, and his criminal cleverness
2. Decision Process Models Stage: The decision process begins by organizing and arranging the inputs into meaningful
patterns.
➢ Homicide Type and Style:
• Mass murders; A classic mass murder involves one person operating in one location at one period of time.
• The classic mass murderer is usually described as a mentally disordered individual whose problems have increased to the
point that he acts against groups of people unrelated to these problems.
• Two additional types of multiple murder are spree and serial.
➢ Primary intent of the Murderer:
• The killer's primary intent could be: (1) criminal enterprise. (2) sexual or (3) emotional, selfish, or cause-specific.
➢ Victim Risk
• Risk is determined using such factors as age, occupation, physical stature, lifestyle, resistance ability, and victim’s
location, and is classified as high, moderate, or low.
➢ Escalation
• Investigative profilers are able to assume the sequence of acts committed during the crime.
➢ Time Factors
• These factors include the length of time required: (1) to kill the victim, (2) to commit additional acts with the body, and (3)
to dispose off the body. The time of day or night that the crime was committed is also important, as it may provide
information on the lifestyle and occupation of the offender.
➢ Location Factors
• Information about location-where the victim was first approached, where the crime occurred, and if the crime and death
scenes differ provide yet additional data about the offender.
3. Crime Assessment Stage: This stage involves the reconstruction of the sequence of events and the behavior of
both the offender and victim.
➢ Motivation
• Is a difficult factor to judge because it requires dealing with the inner thoughts and behavior of the offender.
Motivation is more easily determined in the organized offender
➢ Crime Scene Dynamics
• Crime scene dynamics are the numerous elements common to every crime scene which must be interpreted by
investigating officers and are at times easily misunderstood.
4 Criminal Profile Stage
• Once description is generated, the strategy of investigation can be formulated, as this strategy requires a basic
understanding of how an individual will respond to a variety of investigative efforts.
5 Investigation Stage
• Once the congruence of the criminal profile is determined, a written report is provided to the requesting agency and
added to its ongoing investigative efforts.
6 Apprehension Stage
• Once a suspect is apprehended, the agreement between the outcome and the various stages in the profile-generating-
process are examined. When an apprehended suspect admits guilt, it is important to conduct a detailed interview to
check the total profiling process for validity
Merit and demerit of criminal profiling
➢ There are three main distinct approaches to criminal profiling: diagnostic evaluations, criminal investigative
analysis, and investigative psychology.
➢ Diagnostic evaluations:
• The advantage of using diagnostic evaluations is that they are the easiest to conduct.
• The disadvantage is that most mental health professionals have minimal experience in criminal investigations
➢ Criminal investigative analysis
• The advantage of using criminal investigative analysis is that it provides to the specific requirements of the
investigator.
• The disadvantages are that the approach does not take into account cultural considerations
• The extensive use of statistics and probabilities to construct the profiles ends up focussing less on the
individual, in turn placing more emphasis on the personality type of the offender
➢ Investigative psychology
• "mental maps" can be identified from the offences, which can ultimately assist in locating the area of where an
offender resides
• It is a fairly new approach to profiling
Thank you