Bottom Up approach

Bottom up approach

The British approach which is much more grounded in psychological theory. Uses systematic analysis of evidence to create an offender profile that is data driven and product of rigorous scrutiny.

Investigative psychology

Applies statistical procedures to psychological theory to analyze crime scene evidence. This establishes patterns of behavior that are likely to occur across crime scenes.

Geographical profiling

The significance of time and place of the crime can give great insight into the criminal’s profile and their home or operational base. Can also help predict where future crimes may occur.

Who proposed bottom up approach

David Canter

Circle theory

People operate within a limited spatial mindset that creates imagined boundaries in which crimes are likely to committed.

The marauder

The offender operates in close proximity to their home base

The commuter

The offender is likely to have travelled a distance away from their usual residence.

Forensic awareness

Individuals who have been subject to police interrogation before, their behavior may evidence how mindful they are of ‘covering their tracks’

AO3 - GP support

Lundrigan and Canter - collated information from 120 murder cases, used smallest space analysis and found spatial consistencies across killers. Location of each body dump was in a different direction, creating a center of gravity. This supports the usefulness of geographical profiling.

AO3 - scientific basis

Bottom up is more scientific then top down as its more grounded in evidence and psychological theory. Uses scientific techniques to manipulate geographical, biological and psychological data that quickly produce insights and results.