Characteristics of Crime

• Murderer type 1

  Disorganised asocial offender

  Below average IQ

  Possibly high school dropout

  Generally socially inadequate, don’t date & live alone

  Likely to unskilled workers / labourers

  Possibly low birth order

  Possible received harsh / inconsistent discipline in childhood
• Murderer type 2


  Organised non-social offender.

  Above average IQ.

  Follow the media .

  Socially adequate.

  High birth order.

  Harshly disciplined in childhood.

  Ability to control their mood & emotions. Described as ‘charming’. Masculine image.

  Generally motivated by situational causes & are geographically mobile.
• Acquisitive crimes 


  Fraud / burglary / extortion.

  Generally involved in some form of drug use.

  Generally seek criminal activity for pleasure or thrill.
• Terrorists


  Tend to be acting from a place of perceived injustice.

  Motives generally an illogical perception of the truth.

  Potential psychological defect that produces these errant behaviours / perceptions.
• Characteristics of career criminals

  Rationalisation

  Entitlement

  Asocial value system

  Sentimentality

  Impulsive

  Family dysfunction

  Easily distracted

  Power centric

  Invincibility

  Cognitive laziness
• Rationalisation 


  People who live a life of crime tend to rationalise their own behaviour by diverting blame & questioning the motives of others.

  Generally don’t evaluate the consequences of their own behaviour.

  Eg if she didn’t want her purse stolen she should have locked her car.
• Entitlement 


  Self-centred & oblivious to the needs of others. Believe they have the right to commit any acts they desire as life is all about them all of the time.
• Impulsive 


  Lack of control over their behaviour and temperament.
• Family dysfunction


  Lack of family support emotionally and financially.