Bottom Up Approach

    Cards (8)

    • This technique: systematic analyses of crime scenes to give picture of offender - data driven, does not begin with fixed typologies
    • What are the two main methods in the BU approach?
      Investigative psychology and geographical profiling
    • Investigative psychology
      Applies statistics and theory: identify patterns across crime scenes -> develop a data base of information which can then be compared to see if the offences are linked
    • Investigative psychology also

      Involves interpersonal coherence: way offender behaves at scene, may reflect everyday behaviour + time, place and forensic awareness (those interrogated before) is analysed
    • Geographical profiling, Rossmo (19970
      Analysing location of linked crime scene -> crime mapping. Assumes serial killers will restrict their work to areas familiar with -> Jeopardy Surface (work out a centre of gravity to guess where offender might strike next)
    • What are Canter’s two offenders
      • Marauders - offenders who strike close to home
      • Commuters - offenders who travel
    • Example of the Bottom Up approach being used
      David Canter assisted police in London in capturing John Duffy - the Railway Rapist (carried out 24 rapes and 3 murders).
      Created a profile based on an analysis of geographical information and details of similar attacks in the past supplied by police, was surprisingly accurate.
    • Canter’s profile vs real info
      • C- lives in Kilburn, Truth - Lived in Kilburn
      • C - Marriage problems, T - Seperated
      • C - Physically small, unattractive, T- 5ft4 with acne
      • C - Martial artist, T - Member of martial arts club
      • C - Need to dominate women, T - Violent and attacked wife
      • C - Fantasies of rape, bondage, T - Tied up his wife before sex
    See similar decks