Criminal Profiling

Forensic science has been popularized and commercialized by television programs and films in recent years. Crime shows that include forensic science and criminal profiling have fascinated viewers, but they have also promulgated a misunderstanding of the field of profiling. As described in Chapter 16 forensic psychology incorporates tenets of both clinical psychology and criminology, with particular focus on the judicial system. Forensic psychologists work every day with law-enforcement officials, integrating psychological science and criminal profiling. Criminal profiling can be a useful tool for law enforcement, as long it is interpreted with caution and its respective limitations are understood. This article helps separate fact from fiction when discussing criminal profiling.

http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/criminal.html

After reading the American Psychological Association Monitor’s article “Criminal Profiling: The Reality Behind the Myth,” consider the questions below. Then submit your responses.

Question 1

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Question 2

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Question 3

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Question 4

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Answers will vary. One possibility: Criminal profiling was used by two doctors, George Phillips and Thomas Bond, in the 1880s. These doctors used crime scene clues to help determine the identity of Jack the Ripper, who was responsible for gruesome murders in England.

Question 5

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The four phases include: antecedent, method and manner, body disposal, and postoffense behavior.

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