Serial Killer

Abstract

Criminal Profiling is a process that is specially crafted to produce information about the doer of the crime, and is usually considered for its use on a serial killer. Through a proper investigation of the crime scene the profiler makes are sketch of the game plan to follow between the investigations. Serial killer and their profiling are the two major concerns of the investigation departments and both the concepts have captured a major chunk of public's imagination. Portrayal of serial killers and criminal profilers in sensational ways are the main reason of the people developing so much interest in these studies. Increase in options of the career of forensic psychology as a job is also because of the same upward rising trends in the interests of people in studies regarding criminology. In this research paper, forensic psychiatrists will be discussed in detail in the starting from education to the job description and duties. The concept of profiling will also be thoroughly discussed with the process of profiling and different ways in which profiling can be done. The different approaches of profiling a serial killer, CSA and the IP are discussed in detail in the mid of the paper. The psychological aspect of a serial killer and the advantages and disadvantages of profiling will also be a part of this paper in the later half.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Forensic Psychiatrists1

Job description1

Job Duties2

Special requirements (Licensing and certifications)3

Profiling of a Criminal (Serial killer)4

Crime Scene Analysis and Investigative Psychology6

Investigative Psychology Approach10

Profiling of a Serial Killer by a Forensic Psychologist11

Serial killers13

Ten Traits of a Serial Killer15

Advantages and Disadvantages of Profiling16

Conclusion18

References19

Serial killer

Introduction

Forensic Psychiatrists

To understand the forensic psychiatrist we must know what forensic psychology is all about. “Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the fields of criminal investigation and the criminal law” (Mason, p.34). It is a popular procedure and it has grown drastically in the recent years because of the fact that the movies, magazines and television programs have portrayed it in sensational ways. Forensic psychology is often depicted and related to the profiling of a criminal, a process to understand and predict the moves of a criminal.

Profiling

By definition profiling of a criminal is the process of utilization of information about a certain crime and the crime scene where the crime took place to create a psychological representation of the unknown criminal and the unknown criminal activity that took place.

“A criminal profiler is a psychological consultant or investigator who examines evidence from the crime scene, victims, and witnesses in an attempt to construct an accurate psychological (usually concerning psychopathology, personality, and behavior) and demographic description of the individual who committed the crime” (Woodworth & Porter, 2000).

Discussion

Job description of a Forensic Psychiatrist

A forensic psychiatrist is involved in the professional assignments to treat the patients within the forensic facility. They may be assigned to the units of evaluation or the units of an in-patient at the centre of forensic psychiatry. The job description of a forensic psychiatrist is further classified into two different ...