3/12: Checks Lab

Assignment: "Create a Psychological Profile"

Psychological Sleuths

What can be inferred about a crime based on what is known about the suspect's personality?

"The basic premise is that behavior reflects personality," explains retired FBI agent Gregg McCrary. In a homicide case, for example, FBI agents glean insight into personality through questions about the murderer's behavior at four crime phases:

• Antecedent: What fantasy or plan, or both, did the murderer have in place before the act? What triggered the murderer to act some days and not others?
• Method and manner: What type of victim or victims did the murderer select? What was the method and manner of murder: shooting, stabbing, strangulation or something else?
• Body disposal: Did the murder and body disposal take place all at one scene, or multiple scenes?
• Postoffense behavior: Is the murderer trying to inject himself into the investigation by reacting to media reports or contacting investigators?

Checks Lab Assignment

Crime Scene Processing Chapter Text