Forensic Psychology, Profiling, and Ethics

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definition of forensic psychology, the six steps of criminal profiling, offender classifications, profiling approaches, psychological constructs, and professional ethics.

Forensic psychology

The application of psychology to legal processes.

Psychopathy Diagnosis

A condition that is NOT listed as an official diagnosis in psychiatric manuals.

Criminal Link (Psychopathy)

Psychopathy is not inherently linked to crime but acts as a risk factor for criminal behavior.

Step 1 - Collect Input

The stage of criminal profiling involving the gathering of evidence from crime scene photos, victim history, autopsy reports, and witness interviews.

Step 2 - Follow the Decision Process

The stage where profilers classify the offense type, identify the motive (financial, sexual, or emotional), and assess victim risk (high-risk vs. low-risk).

Step 3 - Assess the Crime Scene

Analyzing physical details to determine if the scene shows an organized or disorganized offender.

Step 4 - Develop the Profile

Predicting offender traits, demographics, living situations, and social habits to narrow the suspect pool.

Step 5 - Continue Investigation

Matching the profile to known suspects while avoiding bias by NOT viewing suspect lists beforehand.

Step 6 - Apprehension

The capture of the suspect, where physical evidence or a formal confession is still legally required.

Organized Serial Killer

An offender whose attack style uses meticulous preparation and targeted victim selection, controls the crime scene, and has higher social competence.

Disorganized Serial Killer

An offender whose attack style is driven by spontaneous impulses and targets of opportunity, leaving behind a chaotic crime scene and using improvised weapons.

American Approach ("Top Down")

A profiling method that uses a classification system built from interviews with convicted serial killers and relies on subjective logic and intuition.

British Approach ("Bottom Up")

A profiling method that starts with physical evidence from the crime scene and uses empirical facts and deductive logic.

Psychosis

A mental state marked by a disconnection from reality.

Psychopath

An individual who is genetically predisposed, lacks empathy/guilt, is highly conniving, and achieves higher job success.

Sociopath

An individual who is environmentally influenced, acts erratically, struggles to hold jobs, but can form social relationships.

Narcissist

An individual with an excessive focus on self, a strong need for praise, and low ability to care for others.

Machiavellianism

Using clever, manipulative methods to gain power or control.

Primary Obligation (Forensic)

The ethical principle that in forensic work, the beneficiary is the court or administrative body rather than the patient.

Impartiality

The requirement for forensic psychologists to remain neutral educators to the court rather than advocates for a legal team.

Contingency Fees

Compensation that must NEVER depend on the legal outcome of a trial.

Dual Relationships

The heavily discouraged practice of mixing therapy and forensic court evaluation for the same person.

Limits of Confidentiality

The ethical requirement to warn examinees that test findings are NOT confidential and go directly to legal authorities.

History

Expert testimony in court developed mainly during the Age of the Renaissance