Applied Criminal Psychology - CRIM 400 Final Exam Review Flashcards

Flashcards of vocabulary terms related to applied criminal psychology.

Crime Scene Analysis

Profiling methodology involving linguistics, culture, and artifacts found at a crime scene.

Geographical Profiling

Profiling methodology that examines the location of a crime and its context to understand crime patterns or something about the subject.

Environmental Criminology

Related to Geographical Profiling; examines the location of a crime and its context to understand crime patterns or something about the subject.

Circle Theory

Also known as crime mapping; proposes models of offender behavior based on familiarity with an area.

FBI Jim Clemente’s Model of Profiling

Criminal profiling model compiling elements of victimology, location, crime scene behavior, organization level, and pre & post offense behavior.

5 Factor Model

Profiling model based on interpersonal coherence, significance of time and place, criminal characteristics, criminal career, and forensic awareness.

Organized/Disorganized (Crime Scene)

Profiling methodology looking at whether a crime scene is organized or disorganized.

Organized/Disorganized (Offender)

Profiling methodology looking at whether an offender is organized or disorganized.

GBM (Gudaitis Behavioral Model)

Integrated profiling methodology using all available data/evidence to create a dynamic/working psychological and predictive profile.

Life Spiral

Profiling methodology that analyzes a criminal's life history and past experiences.

FBI Rapist Typology

Categorizes rapists into four main types: Power Reassurance, Power Assertive, Anger-Retaliatory, and Anger Excitation (Sadistic).

Linguistics (in Crime Scene Analysis)

The study of language found in a crime scene, including speech and writing of those involved.

Culture (in Crime Scene Analysis)

Anthropological roots in ethnography and field study relevant to a crime scene.

Artifacts (in Crime Scene Analysis)

Tangible items that have meaning, such as paper goods, artwork, books, and digital devices.

Marauders (Circle Theory)

Offenders who operate in an area they are familiar with, and their crimes form a circle around their usual residence.

Commuters (Circle Theory)

Offenders who operate in an area that is not in their private space or community.

Interpersonal Coherence (5 Factor Model)

The consistency of an individual's style of interaction with others, which carries into the crime.

Criminal Career (5 Factor Model)

An offender's experience and recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend).

Forensic Awareness (5 Factor Model)

Premeditation and knowledge of countermeasures used by an offender.

Physical MO (GBM)

Quantitative analysis including content review and analysis, linguistic analysis, and frequency or time pattern analysis.

Psychological MO (GBM)

Qualitative analysis of 12 variables/themes including predatory needs, target/victim analysis, need to control/power, and level of self-control.

Timeline Exercise

Another name for the Life Spiral Methodology, helps to consciously observe how past experiences and responses shape the present.

Johari Window

A technique that helps people better understand their relationship with themselves and others.

Power Reassurance Rapist

FBI rapist typology; least violent, inept, low self-esteem, fantasizes victim is his lover.

Power Assertive Rapist

FBI rapist typology; extreme sense of superiority and entitlement, rapes to validate masculinity.

Anger-Retaliatory Rapist

FBI rapist typology; blames women for injustices, out to punish and degrade them.

Anger Excitation (Sadistic) Rapist

FBI rapist typology; beats and tortures victims for sexual satisfaction, intent to degrade, torture, and kill.

Signature

Aspect of a crime committed by a serial offender that they must do in order to fulfill themselves. Different from an MO.

Modus Operandi (MO)

The method of operation or actions done by a criminal to commit a crime.

Serial Killer

A person who murders three or more people, usually in service of abnormal psychological gratification, with a significant period of time between the murders.

Recidivism

The relapse of an offender into criminal behavior.

Computer Forensics

Steps taken to collect and analyze digital data from computers, phones, portable hard drives, and cloud storage locations.

Interpersonal Crimes

Crimes that necessitate interpersonal skills on the part of the perpetrator.

Kidnapping

Taking a person against his or her will, usually through forcible means, by threats. Usually accompanied with a ransom.

Abduction

Taking a person away from his or her original location by persuading him or her, by some act of fraud or forceful way.

Pathological Communication

Communication that produces conflict, dysfunction, anxiety, and/or danger between people or groups of people.

Splitting

An attempt on the part of one person to make another, third individual, look wrong, bad, guilty.

Double Bind

A situation where a person is confronted with two irreconcilable demands or a choice between two undesirable courses of action; a “catch-22.”

Split Footing

A situation where a person is ethically or culturally immersed in one culture but is then introduced to or brought up in a different surrounding culture.

Perverse Triangle

A covert alliance between a parent and a child, who band together to undermine the other parent's power and authority.

Re-grouping or Re-alliance

When an individual forms an unhealthy attachment to another person or group because their own situation is pathological.

Family Genograms

Charts the progression of a particular family through the life cycle over at least three generations.

Spousal abuse

A type of domestic crime involving one spouse abusing the other.

Domestic homicide

A type of domestic crime involving the killing of a family member.

Honor killings

A type of domestic crime involving killings to preserve perceived honor.

Elder abuse

A type of domestic crime involving abuse against elderly individuals.

Child abduction

A type of domestic crime involving the taking of a child.

Stranger Incident

Incidents are classified as involving strangers if the victim identifies the offender as a stranger, did not see or recognize the offender, or knew the offender only by sight.

Non-Stranger Incident

An offender who is either related to, well known to, or casually acquainted with the victim is a non-stranger.

Pedophilic Disorder

A DSM-5 diagnosis assigned to adults who have sexual desire for prepubescent children.

Groomer

An act of deliberately establishing an emotional connection with a child to prepare the child for child abuse.

Consent

Major factor in consideration of whether or not a sex crime has been committed.

Academy of Behavioral Profiling (ABP)

Non-profit organization of professionals which created ethical guidelines and a code of professional conduct created for profilers.

Forensic Fraud

Occurs when forensic examiners provide deceptive or misleading findings, opinions, or conclusions in court.

Simulators (Forensic Fraud)

Those who physically manipulate evidence, data or results of forensic testing either by fabricating evidence or by destroying evidence.

Dissemblers (Forensic Fraud)

Those who exaggerate, embellish, lie about or otherwise purposely misrepresent their actual findings.

Pseudoexperts (Forensic Fraud)

Those who exaggerate or misrepresent the quality, quantity, or depth of their academic and/or professional qualifications.

Consulting Expert

A person who has been retained or specifically employed in anticipation of litigation or preparation of trial, but who will not be called at trial.

Testimonial Expert

An expert witness who is retained for purposes of testifying at trial.

FRE 702

Federal Rules of Evidence; Describes the admissibility standards of expert witnesses.

Qualifications (FRE 702)

Expert witnesses must be competent and skilled in the discipline discussed through experience, training, or more.

Reliability (FRE 702)

The opinion and report of the expert witness must be based on evidence by examining data and applying principles widely accepted by the field.

Helpfulness (FRE 702)

The duty of an expert witness is to help the jury by adding value to the topic presented. This includes adding information missed.

Foundation (FRE 702)

The conclusion of the expert witness must be based on the foundation of their discipline. This ensures that the opinion is based on accurate information.

Internal Locus of Control

Attributes positive/negative events in life to his/her own efforts and abilities (or lack thereof).

External Locus of Control

Attributes positive/negative events in life to outside forces (e.g., others controlling, society, fate, luck).

Psychological Burdens

A career delving into the minds of violent criminals can take its toll on the psyche of the profiler.

Personal Bias

Everyone has some type of bias.

The Dark Overlord

MO included making physical threats, “Toyed” with Law Enforcement, All along – cyber attack and ransom – their goal was $$

Family Abduction

Occurs when a child is taken, wrongfully retained, or concealed by a parent or other family member depriving another individual of their custody or visitation rights.

Non-Family Abductions

Occurs when a child is taken by someone known, but not related, to the child, such as a neighbor or an online acquaintance, or by someone unknown to the child.

Rule 702 - Testimony by Expert Witnesses

A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if the four listed conditions are met.

Daubert Standard

Based on reliability and if the expert witness is practicing “good science”.

The Daubert Trilogy

Another name for the Daubert Standard.

Nature (Deviant Criminal Development)

DNA –genetics, Chemical imbalances, Mother’s use of drugs, alcohol during pregnancy, Trauma –physicalNeurological damage, Physiology

Nurture (Deviant Criminal Development)

The impact of power, control, dominance in families, in childhood, and through the communication and environment that one is exposed to during developmental years, adolescence, and adulthood.

Coping mechanisms

The strategies people often use in the face of stress and/or trauma to help manage painful or difficult emotions.

Computer Forensics

Branch of digital forensic science that combines the elements of law and computer science. It involves collecting and analyzing data and information obtained from computer systems, networks, wireless networks and communications.

Role/mission of computer forensic specialists

retrieve hidden, erased, and destroyed data from computers, mobile phones, laptops, USBs, and other storage and computing devices.

Five ways a profiler can do damage to an investigation

Too quickly pointing to the identification or apprehension of a suspect or “person of interest.”Delaying the identification or apprehension of the actual offender. Preventing the identification or apprehension of the actual offender.Creating a profile without enough data, evidence, or information. Creating a profile which is guided by pressure, politics, bureaucracy, clients’ desires, or public outcry.

Provide 3 examples of forensic fraud

1. Simulators–those who physically manipulate evidence, data or results of forensic testing either by fabricating evidence or by destroying evidence. 2. Dissemblers–those who exaggerate, embellish, lie about or otherwise purposely misrepresent their actual findings. 3. Pseudoexperts–those who exaggerate or misrepresent the quality, quantity, or depth of their academic and/or professional qualifications. This may include the fabrication of credentials and experience.

What are some of the tasks of the profiler and the investigative team involved in the Dark Overload Case.

Training staff and students on data security best practices, phishing/social engineering awareness, and the privatization of social media content, provide recommendations for not paying of the ransom, Counseling support for staff, parents, and students, Forensic “clean-up” of school network and re-securing the systems/networks

Name 5 types of domestic crimes

Spousal abuse, Domestic homicide, Honor killings, Elder abuse, Child abduction

Define Splitting

Splitting is an attempt on the part of one person to make another, third individual, look wrong, bad, guilty.

What is a groomer’s goal?

To establish an emotional connection with a child to prepare the child for child abuse.

What factors impact or influence consent?

Age, Drugs/Alcohol, Physical or mental disability

What is the main idea with Power Reassurance rapist

This type of rapist is the least violent. This is known as the gentleman rapist.

What is the main idea with Power Assertive rapist

The Power Assertive rapist has an extreme sense of superiority and entitlement. He will rape women simply because he can.

What is the main idea with Anger Retaliatory rapist

This guy is out to hurt someone. He blames women for all the injustices he has suffered in his life.

What is the main idea with Anger Excitation (sadistic) Rapist

his is the Ted Bundy of the group. This is your killer, straight out. But first, he'sgoing to beat and torture his victims.

When was the term Serial Killer fist used

The term “serial killer” was first coined by FBI profiler, Robert Ressler

What is computer forensics?

Computer forensics generally refers to steps taken to collect and analyze digital data, such as what is found (or sometimes buried) in computers, phones, portable hard drives, and cloud storage locations.

The goal for self-analysis for the life spiral is…

The Johari window

What does “Stranger” incidents mean?

incidents are classified as involving strangers if the victim identifies the offender as a stranger, did not see or recognize the offender, or knew the offender only by sight.

What is a Non-stranger incident

an offender who is either related to, well known to, or casually acquainted with the victim is a non-stranger.

Five Specific Types of Pathological Communication

Splitting, the double-bind, the split-footing, the perverse triangle, and, re-grouping or re-alliance.

What is the ABP?

The Academy of Behavioral Profiling (ABP) calls for a universal attitude embodying integrity and support the need for an unbiased approach to the profiling and reporting process by mandating impartiality, independence, and objectivity.

Cold Case Research Considerations

Microfiche and other “old” library sources/formats, Ancestry and other genealogy sites can be useful for research, FOIA requests to government organizations

Important interview point for a cold case

Family members may still be alive (confidentiality & respect) – victims/suspects Interviews are important – and may need to conduct repeat interviews

Timeline Interviews

a tool for conducting life history research