investigating the criminal mind. examination of physical evidence helps determine the who, what,...
TRANSCRIPT
• Examination of physical evidence helps determine the who, what, and
how of crime
• Forensic psychiatrists help determine the why
Clinical vs. Forensic PsychiatryClinical Forensic
Goal Improve patients condition
Dissect person’s personality
Relationship Trusting Adversarial
Dialogue Truthful Can include attempts at lying and deceit
Role of forensic psychiatrist may include:•Assess the role of alcohol and drugs in a defendant’s conduct
•Determine competency to stand trial
•Assess a subject’s understanding of reality and responsibility
•Offer a judgment regarding the suspect’s state of mind at the time of the crime (NOTE: Sanity is ruled on by the court)
•Create a psychological profile of the type of individual who likely committed the crime
Techniques of assessment of suspects:• 1st: medical history or physical exam—can reveal medical problems that may alter thinking or understanding• 2nd: testing the mind—3 categories Personality inventories: assess subject’s basic personality type; highly standardized and reliable Projective testing—evaluate person’s thought processes; less standardized and more subjective
but may help uncover obsessions and fantasies that drive crime (ex. Inkblot exam)
Cognitive testing—assess subject’s intelligence and ability to understand his other own behavior
(ex. IQ test)
Projective testing
Draw a picture
Interpret a picture
Interpret an ink blot
Techniques of assessment of suspects:
• 3rd: interview the subject—investigate areas of concern from earlier tests
--Questioning starts out broad gradually becomes more probing
--Focus is to uncover motivations--Be cautious of lying and false confessions
**controversial techniques= hypnosis and “truth serum”Read case study
(“Hypnotizing Kenneth Bianchi,” page 57)
Serial Offenders
List common crimes:
List possible motives for such crimes:
How do serial killers differ?
•Suspect kills more than one person at different times and locations with cooling-off periods between the killings.•Most often prey on strangers•Motives are private and personal (not obvious)•“Fantasy” plays large role
Definition/characteristics of serial killing:
Zodiac Killer
Criminal Profiling
Purpose: the profile may not lead to an exact individual, but may help narrow the focus of the investigation
Rational behind profiling: behavior reflects personality
Descriptors used in profiling:Age Sex RaceResidency Proximity Social skillsWork history Educational level
Linking Criminals
Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP) and PROFILER=
FBI databases to help match serial offenders with crimes and profiles