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Offender Profiling In Police Investigation

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Offender profiling is a tool that allows investigators to develop a profile based on the offender’s actions during the offence-taking place (Douglas, Burgess, Burgess, & Ressler, 2006). In this essay, many sources will prove that offender profiles are useful in police investigations. There are three main reasons for this, they are: offender profiles can and are used throughout all aspects of the investigation, can reduce the suspect pool and they can give investigators something to go on when there are no other leads.

Firstly, offender profiler can and are used throughout all aspects of the investigation. A profile can provide suggestions for investigative and interrogation techniques (Criminal Investigative Analysis, 1990). An offender …show more content…

Criminal profiling has evolved to enable investigators to have other investigative tools available to him (Douglas & Burgess, 1986, p. 5). When there is no DNA evidence or other physical evidence left at a scene that leads to a potential suspect or when the ‘case has gone cold’ due to little to no descriptions of potential offenders(s), there are other tools available in the forms of an offender profile. An investigator has the ability to analyse the crime scene and/or crime scenes, the act itself, the victim and police reports as well as forensic information including autopsy reports and medical examiner findings. (Douglas, Ressler, Burgess & Hartman, 1986). The accumulation of knowledge from these things enables profilers to create a profile, which can help predict the offender’s next actions (Criminology, 2005). By being able to predict an offender's actions it enables investigators to be prepared for certain outcomes, and force the offenders into making mistakes that can cause the offender to leave evidence that can later lead to their arrest or their mistake can cause the immediate arrest. Offender profiles give investigators leads when there is no other evidence exists; therefore, offender profiles are useful in police

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