F2. Offender Profiling: Top-Down Approach

Question 1

What does the Top-Down Approach Use?

Answer 1

Pre-established typology and FBI method of profile generation. 2 categories: Organised and Disorganised offenders.

Question 2

4 steps of profile generation

Answer 2

Crime scene classification, crime reconstruction, data assimilation, profile generation.

Question 3

Organised Offender Qualities

Answer 3

• Socially and sexually competent
• Planned, Strategic, ‘Surgical’ Manner
• Specific ‘type’ of victim

Question 4

Disorganised Offender Qualities

Answer 4

• No Planning (leave body and clues at scene)
• Random Attacks, no specific ‘type’
• Crime more likely to occur closer to home
• Socially and Sexually incompetent (live alone, unemployed)

Question 5

• Eval: Top-Down Approach

Answer 5

Can only be used in ‘blue-collar’ crimes where there are obvious, visible characteristics (rape, murder). Can’t be used in fraud or burglary crimes.

Question 6

• Eval: Top-Down Approach

Answer 6

Oversimplification. Doesn’t consider a criminal who leaves no clues at the scene, but appears to be sexually incompetent and carried out an impulsive attack on a stranger.