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First I thought I would study "crime scene analysis." Then I went to college, got a degree in criminal justice, and signed up for a workshop sponsored by The American College of Forensic Examiners. This was not my first class on this particular discipline, but it most certainly was the most valuable. My instructor was former FBI agent of twenty-five years, now retired, John Douglas. Mr. Douglas became the leading expert on criminal profiling and one of the pioneers of modern criminal investigation analysis. He conducted the first organized study into the methods and motivations of serial criminals (by interviewing subjects in prison) and has aided police departments throughout the world.
These are a few of the important points he made for us in class:
- Criminal personality profiling, etc, should be used only as an investigative tool after all traditional methods have been explored.
- The object or purpose is to provide the investigator with a personality composite of the unknown subject that will aid swift and judicious apprehension.
- Profiling can be profitable in crimes where an unknown subject has demonstrated some form of psychopathology in his crime, such as some of these factors: sadistic torture in sexual assaults, evisceration, post-mortem slashing/cutting, and so forth. . .
- There will be great pressure on you the investigator. . . These are crimes of anger, and usually about power. . .
- The victimology is critical.
 For more information and some fascinating reading pick up John's bestsellers: Journey into Darkness, Mindhunter, and Obsession; co-authored with Mark Olshaker.
Professionals: For more in-depth research, you might want to check CRC Press for other titles.
As of July 15, 1999, I am a Diplomate and FELLOW of the American College of Forensic Examiners International. What an honor! My new designation is as follows: DACFEI, FACFEI |
