Psychological Profiling: The Controversy Of Psychological Profiling

The Controversy of Psychological Profiling1

When it comes to profiling, it is a very controversial tool, although within the past couple decades it has increased in use significantly. One huge controversy is the fact that not a lot of people believe that a hypothetical depiction of a suspect actually helps contribute to solving crimes, however, a lot of the profiles for serial killers in the past have been incredibly accurate. There is, however, a lack of scientific evidence to support these techniques. With the lack of a scientific basis, the question of the validity that profiling brings to investigations arises often. The main issue is that no one knows if they have a good portrait until the suspect is caught.

History of Profiling

The

Geographically stable or brief? Impulsive or compulsive? From a crime scene, a profiler can assess whether the person is an organized predator as opposed to having committed an impulsive crime of opportunity. They may also observe if the offender used a vehicle, exhibits criminal superiority, or is addicted to a sexual fantasy. (p.

As a child, Dennis Rader appeared pretty normal and did not stand out very much among the other children. However, according to Rader himself, he stated that he developed fantasies about control, bondage, and torture from an early age. Along with these fantasies he also brutalized animals such as cats which he killed by binding them with wire and hanging them in a barn. Also as a child, Dennis was aroused by his mother 's spankings, secretly obtained S&M magazines, stole women’s underwear, and peered into windows. He even dressed in women 's underwear in the basement of his parent 's home, tied a rope around his neck as if he were hanging, and took pictures of himself. (Sable 2006, pg.1-2) Dennis Rader was able to live in normal society as well as being able to live in his own twisted world. He was married, had two children, had many stable jobs and also graduated from a University. Also, he was an active member of his church and also helped with boy scouts, throughout his whole community he was seen as a normal man with a regular life and prior to his commitment of these crimes he had absolutely no criminal background. As Rader grew older, his fantasies continued to grow and he became what is known as a Lust killer (someone who brutally and inhumanly kills multiple victims to achieve ultimate sexual satisfaction) and over 30 years has killed as many as 10 known