Evaluation

• Research support - Canter et al (2004) looked at 100 murders examining 39 characteristics of behaviour (organised and diorganised) - smallest space analysis; stat technique that identifies correlations against different samples of behaviour. Analysis used to assess occurence of 39 aspects of serial killings. eg. torture, restraint, attempt to conceal death, body, weapon. There was found to be matched subset of features. Suggests key component of FBI typology approach has some validity.
• Counterpoint for research support - However, there are a variety of combinations that could occur at a murder scene as organised and disorganised are not mutually exclusive. eg. Godwin (2002) argues in real life, its difficult to classify killers as one type or another and may have contrasting characteristics such as being compotent but spontaneous. suggests the typology is more of a continuum.
• Wider application - Top-down approach and the typology can be applied to misdemeanors/minor offences. eg. burglary. Suggested by Meketa (2017) who reports 85% rise in solved cases across three US states when applied to petty crimes. The detection methods adds interpersonal (knows victim) and opportunistic (young + inexperienced offenders) to organised and disorganised distinction.
• Flawed evidence - x- FBI profiling was developed using interviews with 36 murderers in the US - 25 of which were serial killer, other 11 being single or double murderers. At the end, 24 were classified organised and 12 disorganised. Canter et al argued it to be a poor sample, FBI agents did not use a large or diverse and random sample with different kinds of offenders. Also no standard set of interview questions so therefore different plus not comparable. suggests top down approach does not a sound scientific basis.