An evidence base approach using statistical analysis of data collected at the scene and information such as victim choice and location, known as Investigative Psychology by Canter
Five Factor Model
Breakdown of Investigative Psychology
Interpersonal Coherence - interactions same in personal life
Time and Place
Criminal Characteristics
Criminal Career - changes with experience
Forensic Awareness - knowledge of police techniques
Geographical Profiling
Branch of investigative psychology focused on where the offender is based, location of crime is not random
Least Effort Principle
Closest suitable crime scene to home base picked, reducing crimes further away (distance decay)
Circle Hypothesis
Crimes radiate out from their home base creating a circle
Marauder - close to home
Commuter - further away from home
(+) A03: Canter and Larkin (1993)
87% of 45 British serial sexual assaulters were marauders, supporting circle hypothesis and the idea that choice of place is a significant factor
(+) A03: Statistical Analysis
Uses inferences from published research, it is seen as more scientific than top-down which relies on intuition and experience of the profiler
(-) A03: Database
Roughly 25% of reported crime is in the database, meaning there is a 75% dark figure, which could lead to underestimating the extent of the crime, making it less valid
