Summary
Summary Forensic psychology model answers
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- Forensics psychology
- Institution
- AQA
A* student notes on model answers for AQA exam-style questions in note format, very helpful for a level revision!
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Outline what is meant by geographical profiling in psychology (2 marks)Geographical profiling involves analysing the location of a connected series of crimes and looking at factors such as
the spatial relationship between the different crime scenes and what this this reveals in relation to the perpetrator.
For example, Rossmo (1997) refers to offender behaviour as having ‘hunting patterns’, and through examining the
locations of crime scenes and their spatial relationship to each other, we can know more about where the criminal
is located.
Briefly explain the top-down approach to offender profiling (2 marks)
Holmes and Holmes (1989) proposed the top-down approach to develop profiles on offenders. This approach starts
by looking at the crime scene itself and drawing conclusions from the evidence about the offender. It uses this
evidence to categorises offenders into organised and disorganised offenders, determining the perpetrator as one type
or the other. Typically, this approach is used for more extreme violent crimes such as rape or murder.
Briefly explain one limitation of the top-down approach (2 marks)
Top-down approaches work best for particular types of crime, such as premeditated rape, murder, torture and so on,
this is because the original interview was based on a sample of 36 sexually motivated serial killers. They work much
less well for crimes such as burglary because the crime scene reveals little about the offender. Therefore top-sown
approach can only be properly used for certain crimes.
Top-down profiling is reductionist, as the classification system (organized/disorganized) is too simple. Offenders are
not simply either disorganized or organized. It may be that there are both organized and disorganized features to all
their crimes. An offender may start off being disorganized and become more organized as they develop their modus
operandi.
(based on outdated models of personality) the typology classification system is based on the assumption that
offenders have patterns of behaviour and motivations that remain consistent across situations and contexts. Several
critics (eg Alison 2002) have suggested that this approach is naive and is informed by old-fashioned models of
personality that see behaviour as being driven by stable dispositional traits rather than external factors that may be
constantly changing. This means the top-down approach, which is based on 'static' models of personality, is likely to
have poor validity when it comes to identifying possible suspects and/or trying to predict their next move.
evidence doesn't support the 'disorganised offender') David Canter et al. (2004), using a technique called smallest
space analysis, analysed data from 100 murders in the USA. The details of each case were examined with reference
to 39 characteristics thought to be typical of organised and disorganised killers. Although the findings did indeed
suggest evidence of a distinct organised type, this was not the case for disorganised which seems to undermine the
classification system as a whole.
Outline organised and disorganised offenders (4 marks)
• An organized offender leads an ordered life and kills after some sort of critical life event. Their actions are
premeditated and planned, they are likely to bring weapons and restraints to the scene. They are likely to be of
average to high intelligence and employed.
• A disorganized offender is more likely to have committed the crime in a moment of passion. There will be no
evidence of premeditation, and they are more likely to leave evidence, such as blood, semen, murder weapon, etc.,
behind. This type of offender is thought to be less socially competent and more likely to be unemployed.
Describe the bottom-up approach (4 marks)
A bottom-up approach that starts with small details and creates the big picture. No initial assumptions are made
about the offender, and the approach relies heavily on computer databases. It can be the little details that are often
overlooked that can be crucial to the success of a case.
• Canter (1990) is the UK’s foremost profiling expert; his bottom-up approach looks for consistencies in offenders’
behaviour during the crime. Canter’s most famous case is that of the ‘Railway Rapist’ John Duffy.
, • John Duffy carried out 24 sexual attacks and 3 murders of women near railway stations in North London in the
1980s. David Canter analysed the geographical details and the evidence and drew up a surprisingly accurate profile.
However, it should be noted that the profile didn’t directly lead to John Duffy’s arrest.
The bottom-up approach led to the successful arrest of John Duffy and the eventual arrest of his accomplice who
were charged with 7 rapes and 3 murders. The bottom-up approach helped stopped this violent criminal by helping
police to identify who it was.
What is investigative psychology? (4 marks)
Is attempting to apply statistical procedures and psychological theory to date from crime scenes. This develops a
statistical database which then acts as a baseline for comparison to other crimes. When a crime is committed,
specific details from the crimes scene can be matched against the data base and reveal important details about the
offender, their personal history and background. It may also reveal if the offences were committed by the same
person.
Key variables in investigative psychology are; interpersonal coherence – offenders behaviour at a crime scene and
how they interact with their victim may reflect their behaviour in normal life. Forensic awareness, behaviour may
suggest that an offender has been involved with the police before, how good are they at covering their tracks? And
smallest space analysis.
Using computer databases and a program called Smallest Space Analysis, patterns are identified, and it is possible to
see if a series of offenses are linked.
• Central to this approach is the concept of interpersonal coherence. This means the behaviour of the offender at the
time of the crime will be comparable to what they’re like in everyday life. Degrees of violence used in serious crimes,
especially rape, may reflect how the criminal treats other women in his non-criminal life.
Discuss the top-down approach to offender profiling. Refer to evidence in your answer (16 marks).
Discuss the bottom-up approach to offender profiling. Refer to evidence in your answer (16 marks)
Discuss investigative psychology and/or geographical offender profiling. Refer to evidence in your answer (16
marks)
Discuss Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality. Refer to evidence in your answer. (Total 16 marks)
A01:
Eysenck – criminal personality occurs when an individual is high in extraversion, psychoticism and neuroticism
Measured using the EPQ (self-report questionnaire)
Extraverts seek excitement due to their under-aroused nervous systems
Leading to criminal behaviour because the are more likely to seek out dangerous experiences
Neurotics are prone to feeling negative emotions due to their reactive sympathetic nervous system
Leading to criminal behaviour because they are more likely to over-react to threat
Psychotics are aggressive and impulsive due to their high levels of testosterone
Leading to criminal behaviour as they are more likely to behaviour in a violent and antisocial way
towards others
Socialisation is difficult in ENP individuals – the reactivity of their nervous system means they do not respond well
to operant conditioning
Leading to criminal behaviour because less receptive to punishment of immediate
gratification/reward for delayed gratification – cannot learn from the consequences of their actions
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