Profiling Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Profiling - Term Paper Example Essentially, there are two types of profiling that are performed by criminologists and criminal investigators in the U.S. Inductive Criminal Profiling is theoretically associated with the creation of a psychological pattern of symptoms and the subsequent evidence of symptoms. This method involves generalizations and deductions based on statistics. Deductive Criminal Profiling is a less common method of profiling. This method puts emphasis on the profiler’s detachment from the situation and their ability to think critically. This discussion first examines the merits regarding the Inductive and Deductive Criminal Profiling methodologies then gives a detailed account of the intrinsic worth of racial profiling. For the purpose of giving a strictly textbook legal definition of criminal profiling, it is described as â€Å"a set of behavioral indicators forming a very characteristic pattern of actions or emotions that tend to point to a particular condition† (Moenssens, Starrs , Henderson & Inbau, 1995: 146). For a more practical description, a good example can be derived from the 1994 court case of the State of Oregon v. Lawson. The defense attorney in this case attempted to convince the judge that his client’s actions were not that of those persons who matched the usual profile observed of offenders that committed a similar type of crime. Therefore, his client could not be found guilty as a result of this logic. Essentially, Inductive Criminal Profiling is logical reasoning based on statistics and generalities resulting from analyzing data. The following (fictitious) example showcases the reasoning and logic involved in this type of profiling. Compiled statistics have shown that 75 percent of serial killers who have attacked nurses do so within 200 yards of a hospital, are white men who live alone, did not attend college, are between the age of 25 and 35 and drive small red cars. A suspect has been questioned by police who they believe to be the offender in the death of a nurse but they do not yet have sufficient evidence to make an arrest. They determine by profiling if this could be a person who is more likely than the majority of the population to have committed such a crime. Though the offender does not drive a red car and the nurse was killed far away from a hospital, the offender is a white male who lives alone and did not attend college, this person still fits the profile and is thus deemed worthy of further investigation (Turvey, 1998). The advantages of the Inductive method of criminal profiling are apparent. Primarily, it is a tool that is straightforward and simple to use. Profilers do not need a formal forensic education or other specialized training in the field of criminal behavioral studies to effectively implement this method. Moreover, general offender profiles can be collected by police agencies without expending a great amount of resources, time or effort and does not require the profiler to possess speci alized abilities. A typical criminal profile is usually a relatively short list illustrating unqualified offender similarities. â€Å"These generalizations can accurately predict some of the non-distinguishing elements of individual criminal behavior, but not with a great deal of consistency or reliability† (Turvey, 1998). Currently, the U.S is collaborating with Canada to integrate the many separate profiling databases via computer link-up. There are obvious disadvantages