2- Offender Profiling

Thinking about offender profiling and the specific profiling approaches, is there any one approach that stands out and is better than the others? Why? Use academic research (including independent research) to substantiate your position. Please provide a 2000 word report which addresses the assignment topic. For this assignment, your report should: Provide brief background information on all of the profiling approaches (highlight what they are and some of their underlying theories/key concepts) Explain the contributions and applications of the ‘best’ profiling approach and how its contributions/applications are superior to the others Utilise a few case examples to highlight the success and the lack of success of the approaches Things you may want to consider, include: How the approaches are applied – is there any approach that is useful for serious and less serious crime, or are they all only useful for one or the other (what does research suggest)? Which approach, if any, is suitable to be used in the court of law? Are there any ethical issues that exist for the profiling approaches? If so, what are they, and for what approaches? The overall purpose of your report is to investigate, present and analyse information about the offender profiling approaches thoroughly and logically. You will need to demonstrate good research skills and showcase how the profiling approach you feel is the best is useful in modern day policing. The learning outcomes for this assignment are: Explain the differing methodologies and perspectives in the discipline of offender profiling Demonstrate an understanding of the different psychological and theoretical foundations of offender profiling Demonstrate an understanding of the various applications of offender profiling including: Policing The investigative process The judicial process Academic research