Question 1

Is criminal profiling an art,a science,or a combination of both?

Accepted Answer

Criminal profiling, also known as offender profiling, is a method used by law enforcement agencies to identify likely suspects and analyze patterns that may predict future offenses and victims. The debate over whether criminal profiling is an art, a science, or a combination of both is ongoing within the academic and professional communities.

On one hand, criminal profiling has been described as an art. This is because it often relies on the intuition, experience, and creativity of the profiler. Profilers look at the details of a crime scene and the nature of the crimes committed to make educated guesses about the characteristics of the perpetrator. This process is not strictly formulaic and can involve a significant degree of interpretation and speculation. The "art" aspect is also evident in the narrative construction of a suspect's possible motives and behavior patterns, which requires a certain level of storytelling skill and psychological insight.

On the other hand, criminal profiling is also grounded in scientific principles. It uses empirical data and established psychological theories to make informed predictions about a criminal's characteristics. Profilers may use statistical analysis of crime trends, psychopathy assessments, and other psychological testing methods to inform their profiles. The field of criminal profiling has been striving to become more scientific over time, with efforts to validate methodologies, improve standardization, and enhance the reliability of profiles through research and evidence-based practices.

In conclusion, criminal profiling is best understood as a combination of both art and science. It involves the application of scientific methods and psychological theories, while also relying on the subjective judgment and inferential leaps that are more characteristic of an art form. The effectiveness of criminal profiling can vary, and its accuracy is often dependent on the skill and experience of the profiler, as well as the availability and quality of the data used to create the profile. As the field continues to evolve, there is a growing emphasis on enhancing the scientific aspects of profiling to improve its validity and reliability.

Question 2

The majority opinion regarding the murders of 13 women in Boston from 1962 to 1964 was that a single perpetrator had committed all 13 murders.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

In 1995,U.S.special prosecutor Kenneth Starr reopened some aspects of the investigations of Vincent Foster's death.What were his conclusions,reported in 1997?

Accepted Answer

A)  Foster had been drugged. 
B)  Foster had indeed committed suicide. 
C)  Foster had been murdered and his body had been moved. 
D)  Starr drew no conclusions regarding the mode of death. 
A)  Foster had been drugged. 
B)  Foster had indeed committed suicide. 
C)  Foster had been murdered and his body had been moved. 
D)  Starr drew no conclusions regarding the mode of death. B

Question 4

According to Ressler,Burgess,and Douglas,approximately what percentage of murderers have IQ scores above 120?

Accepted Answer

A)  10 percent 
B)  20 percent 
C)  30 percent 
D)  50 percent 
A)  10 percent 
B)  20 percent 
C)  30 percent 
D)  50 percent

Question 5

Why is the case of the Boston Strangler of interest to forensic psychologists?

Accepted Answer

A)  Profiling predictions proved that there were actually two killers. 
B)  The psychiatric profile was almost completely inaccurate. 
C)  The psychiatric profile for the case helped track down a serial killer in New York,as well. 
D)  It was the first time psychiatric profiling had been used. 
A)  Profiling predictions proved that there were actually two killers. 
B)  The psychiatric profile was almost completely inaccurate. 
C)  The psychiatric profile for the case helped track down a serial killer in New York,as well. 
D)  It was the first time psychiatric profiling had been used.

Question 6

According to the NASH classification,which of the following is NOT one of the traditional modes in which death is reported?

Accepted Answer

A)  accident 
B)  suicide 
C)  unnatural 
D)  homicide 
A)  accident 
B)  suicide 
C)  unnatural 
D)  homicide

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a disorganized serial murderer?

Accepted Answer

A)  leaves the weapon at the crime scene 
B)  repositions the dead body 
C)  performs sexual acts with live victims 
D)  tries to depersonalize the body 
A)  leaves the weapon at the crime scene 
B)  repositions the dead body 
C)  performs sexual acts with live victims 
D)  tries to depersonalize the body

Question 8

Distinguish between an M.O.and a signature.

Accepted Answer

An M.O. (Modus Operandi) refers to a per

Question 9

What was the final result of action taken against Captain Jeffrey MacDonald for the murders of his family?

Accepted Answer

A)  He was acquitted in both military and civilian court. 
B)  He was convicted in military court and acquitted in civilian court. 
C)  He was convicted in both military and civilian courts. 
D)  He was acquitted in military court and convicted in civilian court. 
A)  He was acquitted in both military and civilian court. 
B)  He was convicted in military court and acquitted in civilian court. 
C)  He was convicted in both military and civilian courts. 
D)  He was acquitted in military court and convicted in civilian court.

Question 10

Describe procedures used by the police and the FBI in criminal profiling.

Accepted Answer

Criminal profiling is a technique used b

Question 11

What are some incorrect stereotypes about the nature of criminals who commit certain types of crimes (for example,political assassinations or embezzlement)?

Accepted Answer

Some incorrect stereotypes about the nat

Question 12

Outline the research findings addressing whether professional profilers create more accurate profiles than other professional groups and laypeople.

Accepted Answer

The research findings on whether profess

Question 13

Jerrold M.Post's personality profile of Saddam Hussein revealed that he was impulsive,psychologically unstable,and often delusional.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

A crime scene with evidence of unhurried,systematic abuse is indicative of an offender who is likely to continue this pattern of victimization in the future.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The most typical embezzler is a 26-year-old,married white woman with a high-school education.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

What is the main purpose of geographic profiling?

Accepted Answer

A)  to allow law enforcement to determine where the next victim will likely live 
B)  to allow law enforcement to focus the investigative efforts on certain regions 
C)  to allow law enforcement to determine where the offender works 
D)  to allow law enforcement to identify where the next crime scene will likely occur 
A)  to allow law enforcement to determine where the next victim will likely live 
B)  to allow law enforcement to focus the investigative efforts on certain regions 
C)  to allow law enforcement to determine where the offender works 
D)  to allow law enforcement to identify where the next crime scene will likely occur

Question 17

Using the Boston Strangler or David Koresh case,explain how criminal profiles might misinform criminal investigations.

Accepted Answer

Criminal profiles can misinform criminal

Question 18

How effective is criminal profiling?

Accepted Answer

Criminal profiling, also known as offend

Question 19

A study conducted by Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990)found no significant difference in the predictions made by professional profilers and those made by nonprofilers such as college students.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

According to Micheels (1991),what is humanity's costliest type of violence next to war?

Accepted Answer

A)  homicide 
B)  suicide 
C)  rape 
D)  arson 
A)  homicide 
B)  suicide 
C)  rape 
D)  arson

Is criminal profiling an art,a science,or a combination of both?

The majority opinion regarding the murders of 13 women in Boston from 1962 to 1964 was that a single perpetrator had committed all 13 murders.

In 1995,U.S.special prosecutor Kenneth Starr reopened some aspects of the investigations of Vincent Foster's death.What were his conclusions,reported in 1997?

According to Ressler,Burgess,and Douglas,approximately what percentage of murderers have IQ scores above 120?

Why is the case of the Boston Strangler of interest to forensic psychologists?

According to the NASH classification,which of the following is NOT one of the traditional modes in which death is reported?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a disorganized serial murderer?

Distinguish between an M.O.and a signature.

What was the final result of action taken against Captain Jeffrey MacDonald for the murders of his family?

Describe procedures used by the police and the FBI in criminal profiling.

What are some incorrect stereotypes about the nature of criminals who commit certain types of crimes (for example,political assassinations or embezzlement)?

Outline the research findings addressing whether professional profilers create more accurate profiles than other professional groups and laypeople.

Jerrold M.Post's personality profile of Saddam Hussein revealed that he was impulsive,psychologically unstable,and often delusional.

A crime scene with evidence of unhurried,systematic abuse is indicative of an offender who is likely to continue this pattern of victimization in the future.

The most typical embezzler is a 26-year-old,married white woman with a high-school education.

What is the main purpose of geographic profiling?

Using the Boston Strangler or David Koresh case,explain how criminal profiles might misinform criminal investigations.

How effective is criminal profiling?

A study conducted by Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990)found no significant difference in the predictions made by professional profilers and those made by nonprofilers such as college students.

According to Micheels (1991),what is humanity's costliest type of violence next to war?

An Analysis of the Field of Forensic Psychology

Roles and Responsibilities of Forensic Psychologists

The Police: Selection, Training, and Evaluation

Deception Detection in the Legal System

Remembering Crime

Police Interrogations and Confessions

The Psychology of the Jury

Criminal Responsibility and Competency to Stand Trial

Intimate Partner Violence, Homicide and Stalking

Sexual Offenders

The Psychology of Child and Adult Sexual Assault Victims

Psychopathy: History, Assessment, Etiology, and Its Association With Violence

The Role of Psychology in Sentencing, Parole, and Dangerous Offender Hearings in Canada

The Promising Future of Forensic Psychology in Canada

Filters

Exam 4: Criminal Profiling

Is criminal profiling an art,a science,or a combination of both?

The majority opinion regarding the murders of 13 women in Boston from 1962 to 1964 was that a single perpetrator had committed all 13 murders.

In 1995,U.S.special prosecutor Kenneth Starr reopened some aspects of the investigations of Vincent Foster's death.What were his conclusions,reported in 1997?

According to Ressler,Burgess,and Douglas,approximately what percentage of murderers have IQ scores above 120?

Why is the case of the Boston Strangler of interest to forensic psychologists?

According to the NASH classification,which of the following is NOT one of the traditional modes in which death is reported?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a disorganized serial murderer?

Distinguish between an M.O.and a signature.

What was the final result of action taken against Captain Jeffrey MacDonald for the murders of his family?

Describe procedures used by the police and the FBI in criminal profiling.

What are some incorrect stereotypes about the nature of criminals who commit certain types of crimes (for example,political assassinations or embezzlement)?

Outline the research findings addressing whether professional profilers create more accurate profiles than other professional groups and laypeople.

Jerrold M.Post's personality profile of Saddam Hussein revealed that he was impulsive,psychologically unstable,and often delusional.

A crime scene with evidence of unhurried,systematic abuse is indicative of an offender who is likely to continue this pattern of victimization in the future.

The most typical embezzler is a 26-year-old,married white woman with a high-school education.

What is the main purpose of geographic profiling?

Using the Boston Strangler or David Koresh case,explain how criminal profiles might misinform criminal investigations.

How effective is criminal profiling?

A study conducted by Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990)found no significant difference in the predictions made by professional profilers and those made by nonprofilers such as college students.

According to Micheels (1991),what is humanity's costliest type of violence next to war?

An Analysis of the Field of Forensic Psychology

Roles and Responsibilities of Forensic Psychologists

The Police: Selection, Training, and Evaluation

Deception Detection in the Legal System

Remembering Crime

Police Interrogations and Confessions

The Psychology of the Jury

Criminal Responsibility and Competency to Stand Trial

Intimate Partner Violence, Homicide and Stalking

Sexual Offenders

The Psychology of Child and Adult Sexual Assault Victims

Psychopathy: History, Assessment, Etiology, and Its Association With Violence

The Role of Psychology in Sentencing, Parole, and Dangerous Offender Hearings in Canada

The Promising Future of Forensic Psychology in Canada

Filters