How to Develop a Criminal Psychological Profile

It looks easy on television. You follow the clues, do some fact-finding, interview anyone and everyone with information about the crime you're seeking to solve and by the end of an hour--commercial breaks included--the perpetrator is identified and marched off to jail. It's a simple matter of following a list of steps, and a criminal psychological profile does everything but name the crime's perpetrator. Not so fast, says one of America's leading forensic psychologists. Dr. Richard Kocsis has devoted his professional life to figuring out how to spot arsonists, rapists and serial murderers and, in his opinion, there's no single method for undertaking this difficult task.

Instructions

• 1

  Start your profile by applying the FBI's method of separating "organized" from "disorganized" criminal personalities. Organized perpetrators are methodical, careful and plan their pre-meditated acts of violence carefully to avoid being caught. Disorganized criminals are usually responsible for the kinds of crimes that are classified as spontaneous and sloppy. The fewer the clues, the more likely premeditation played a role in a crime. An astute profiler will reach their conclusion upon inspection of the crime scene.

• 2

  Ask these questions to refine your list of suspects as you build your profile: Does the evidence point to a perpetrator with a fantasy or plan? Did the day of the week have any bearing on the crime? What do manner and method of the crime say about the perpetrator's use of a gun, his or her hands or other types of weapons? Where did the crime take place? Where was the body found? Has the suspect tried to insinuate him or herself into the investigation by contacting the media or the police? These are just some of the questions FBI profilers ask as they begin the process of eliminating suspects.

• 3

  Use analytic tools and powers of deduction to advance the profile you've begun to build. Rarely will you find a woman overpowering another woman, so eliminations based on sex can cut your suspect list dramatically. Brutal injuries and wounds inflicted on the body of a victim are, more often than not, evidence the crime was personal. If there's been no forced entry at the crime scene, the victim likely knew their assailant, so add that possibility to your psychological profile.

• 4

  Interject biological evidence received from law enforcement officials to further cull suspects from your list. It will take time to analyze DNA evidence found at the crime scene, but a profiler can use blood type to hone in on the right suspect. Type O is common, but Type O blood that is also RH negative immediately excludes an entire population from consideration. Biological clues such as bite marks, defense wounds, injection site tracks and other tell-tale marks add credence to theories the person you're profiling is missing teeth, has a predisposition for fetishes or may have engaged in IV drug use with the victim.

• 5

  Subject suspects to the following criteria to enhance your profile. Are they socially withdrawn? Do they or have they had abnormal relationships with family members? Does a suspect exhibit attention-seeking behaviors, signs of paranoia or hypochondria? Do they have a history of animal abuse or bullying? Do criticism or taunts cause immediate mood swings or irrational anger? Pair these dynamics with background checks on the people you're profiling to add to your database of information about targeted suspects. Gather all research and background checks you've undertaken and begin applying these traits to prime suspects.

• 6

  Apply past experience and your understanding of psychology, anthropology and sociology to outline motives that may compel a person to commit the crime you're seeking to solve. Cross-reference data collected in steps 1 through 5 with those who have motives for committing the crime and have no alibi. If you've been thorough, your profile will hone in on just one suspect, giving the prosecution enough solid information to seal a conviction in court.