The Process of Criminal Profiling as it Pertains to Serial Killers

The process of criminal profiling as it pertains to serial killers is extremely interesting and much more common than one would first think. This study deals with the research into the developmental and psychological approaches to serial killers. In the process of studying these offenders, researchers have discovered that crime scene manifestations of behavioral patterns enabled the investigators to discover much about the offender (Jones The Process of Criminal Profiling When Applied To A Serial Killer 1). Most crime scenes can tell long detailed stories, and with the right investigators following every detail within that story, the positive chance of finding a conclusion to that story is not always there. Investigators must always keep in mind the fact that normal human behavior, traits, and patterns usually remain consistent, regardless of the activity being performed. Whether a serial killer knows it or not, every murder they commit, they leave their distinguishable mark in some way or another, and that is the key lead that criminal profilers use to catch the correct person (Munn and Douglas Violent Crime Scene Analysis: Modus Operandi, Signature, and Staging 1). Criminal profiling is an effective way to identify and find a criminal.

The term “serial” applied to the word murder or killer can raise problems and questions. Serial implies that several murders have taken place at different times. No universal definition is currently used to describe the term “serial murder”. Three key factors to a serial murderer are the number of victims, time period, and the fact that each killing in some way or another is methodical (The Very Emphasis Of The Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Kill 3). Processes of examining all aspects of the crime ...

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...nd modus operandi, a profiler can narrow the search for an offender greatly. Even though there are many generalities in a profile, profilers are able to get more specific by looking at either the crime scene or photographs of the crime scene (Jones 1). When approaching a crime scene with the awareness of the factors used by profilers (signature, staging, modus operandi), investigators can improve their ability to read the story of each violent crime scene. By doing so, they will become more knowledgeable and better equipped to apprehend the violent crime offender. Without criminal profiling, investigators would be working with much less information, and their chances of catching offenders would be lessened greatly. Profiling is used to apprehend the most dangerous criminals, the ones who leave tiny little trip-ups, indecipherable clues, and psychological mind games.