Offender Characteristics A study conducted by Canter, Alison, Alison, and Wentink (2014) looking at variables identified in disorganised offenders, showed that in 70 per cent of cases overkill took place, where significantly more violence was used than necessary to subdue the victim. 61 per cent of victims were beaten and 10 per cent had genital mutilation and missing body parts.
Based on the disorganised offender theory, the offenders will be white males, aged 15 – 20 years old. Often youthfulness and mental illness are characteristics of a disorganised offence (Douglas, Burgess, & Burgess. 2013). The offenders were opportunistic and the victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time, they had not been chosen for the offence. Victims
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in the police interview with John Mark Byers. In the State Crime Laboratory Reports, there is no mention of any items being submitted for any person with the name or initials of T.J. In addition, Byer’s mother, Melissa mentioned in her statement to the police that in the previous three months Christopher would be gone for hours, and when returning home his shoes and socks would be muddy. She presumed that he had been in the Robin Hood area, however he would not admit to being there, only saying that he had been playing with George. Melissa Byers never did identify who George was. A door knock of the area may assist in identifying who George was, or maybe Christopher was actually with T.J. and had been told to tell his parents he was playing with George to remain undetected from spending time alone with him in the wooded area. This line of enquiry could be investigated further. Perhaps local canvassing of the area may identify possible offenders that fit the profile.
Ethics This profile is compiled by Rachel Nieuwenhuys, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice student at Griffith University. This profile is to be used as an investigative tool only, it is not intended to identify or rule out any suspects. There is an identified error in the initial police reports. Although initial police reports indicate that the body of Christopher Byers was located first, it was later found that the identification was incorrect. The first body located was Michael