Focus on the Observable Behavior

I chose to focus the book Elements of Crime Patterns on behavior, and made infrequent mention of motives. When analyzing data to uncover serial crime patterns in tactical policing, thinking too much about the psychology of the offender can distract from the real need to search data and discover facts. It is my view that, in the early stages, focusing on offender psychology is a mistake because the ability to apply the inferences made in the profile to find the offender is near impossible. A psychological profile is often not helpful until suspects are identified. In my opinion, even in research it makes more sense to focus on the actual behavior of offenders because that is where prevention mechanisms can be better applied. For example, environmental designs can be modified to make a type of criminal behavior more difficult.

From ChatGPT:

Advantages of Objectively Focusing on Behavior in a Crime

Immediate Applicability: Behavioral analysis can be used immediately for solving the crime at hand. Behavioral patterns help in predicting the offender's next move, which is crucial for law enforcement.

Factual Basis: This approach relies on tangible evidence and observed actions, making it less speculative and often more admissible in a court of law.

Wider Scope: Behavioral patterns are often common across multiple cases, which may help law enforcement in linking crimes and identifying serial offenders.

Time-Efficient: Less time is generally needed to analyze behavioral evidence than to construct a psychological profile, making it more practical during time-sensitive investigations.

Less Expertise Required: While some training is necessary, understanding behavioral evidence does not generally require the specialized knowledge needed to interpret psychological data.

Data-Driven: The approach can be more empirical and quantifiable, making it easier to use with modern data analytics tools for crime mapping, pattern recognition, etc.

Lower Risk of Bias: Focusing on behavior is generally more objective and may minimize risks related to cultural or social biases that can sometimes affect psychological profiling.

In behavioral analysis, variables often include:

Type of offense (violent, property, etc.)

Modus operandi (the methods used in committing the crime)

Choice of victim

Location and timing

Evidence left at the scene

Advantages of Developing a Psychological Profile

In-depth Understanding: Psychological profiles offer a deeper insight into the motivations behind a crime, which can be useful for preventative measures and in understanding criminal behavior on a broader level.

Narrowing Suspects: Psychological profiles can help law enforcement to narrow down a list of potential suspects by identifying specific characteristics or traits.

Long-Term Strategy: These profiles are often useful in investigations that span a long period or require a deep understanding of the criminal’s motives.

Interdisciplinary: Profiling often brings in expertise from psychology, sociology, and criminology, making it a comprehensive approach.

Qualitative Insights: Provides rich, qualitative data that can be useful for academic research and can complement other forms of investigation.

Useful for Negotiation: Understanding the psychology of a suspect can be extremely valuable in situations that require negotiation, such as hostage scenarios.

Human Element: It may help to predict future behavior and even possibly lead to rehabilitation by understanding the underlying psychological triggers.

In psychological profiling, variables can include:

Psychological traits

Background and upbringing

Social and economic status

Emotional triggers

Mental health status