Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Criminal behavior, Prediction of; Criminal profilers; Academic theses;
Abstract
In recent years criminal profiling has gained increasing popularity and attention as a result of media and law enforcement interest. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the field is lacking in essential empirical support. The FBI's Crime Classification Manual, used to train FBI profilers, states in its opening pages that the information provided in the manual is not empirically derived; rather it is based on the collective opinion of those with experience in law enforcement (Douglas, Burgess, & Burgess, 1992). An area particularly in need of research is the relationship between motive and criminal behavior. Understanding motive can be a crucial factor in solving a case; if investigators have an understanding of why the crime was committed they may then be able to narrow down who might have committed the crime. The current study examines the feasibility of empirically evaluating the adequacy and usefulness of the existing motive classification systems through the deductive analysis (or profiling) of closed homicide case materials. An analysis of what types of materials are available in case files was conducted, along with delineating which of these materials is considered behavioral evidence and is useful in deductive profiling methods. The behavioral evidence available in the case files was reviewed and tallied. This information was then provided to independent coders who had been trained in deductive profiling methods and the motive typologies. The coders determined motive for each case. They achieved a 66% inter-rater reliability, and their motives correlated with motive as validated by case law and other sources. These data suggest that certain aspects of the crime scene may help investigators infer motive from the evidence, however, other elements of crime scene evidence may not be as useful in determining motive. Overall, there may be some support for the methods being used, but more research continues to be needed.
Year of Submission
2004
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Psychology
First Advisor
M. Kimberly MacLin
Second Advisor
Otto H. MacLin
Third Advisor
Seth A. Brown
Date Original
2004
Object Description
1 PDF file (124 leaves)
Copyright
©2004 Kelly J. Dupont
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Dupont, Kelly J., "Determining Criminal Motive Using Deductive Profiling: A Feasibility Study" (2004). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2553.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2553
Comments
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