Profiling: an invaluable tool for catching criminals and killers. Profiling is a relatively new approach to crime solving, put in place by forensic psychiatrists. Criminal profiling is the process by which a practitioner analyses information from a crime scene in order to create physical and psychological profile of the perpetrator. All information from a crime scene is a reflection of the criminal’s behavior. And this behavior can create a surprisingly accurate picture of the offender. (Forensic FAQ p. 2) Forensic science has been in practice for centuries; the first textbook on forensic science was printed in China during the 1200’s; in the early 1800’s, a technique was developed the first test to identify arsenic in the blood stream; the early 1900’s lead to the development of using fingerprinting to identify victims and suspects. While these discoveries where important in criminal investigation, they were only the beginning. Only recently has forensic science significantly refined its techniques and accuracy. Today scientists can locate, identify and trace the tiniest of particles, and identify victims and suspects, beyond a reasonable doubt through DNA analysis. This evolution in forensic science is a prosecutor’s dream; while a defense attorney’s nightmare. Forensic science has made great strides.Offender profiling has been a new tool to criminal investigation. In pierces deep into the mind of the offender and provides non-traditional method of catching criminals. Not all crimes will call for the use of criminal profiling. Crimes of violent and serial in nature will be profiled. Crimes that will be profiled include: serial murder and rape, ritualistic crimes and child molestation and abduction. Profiling does not take the place of conventional police work, but it will significantly assist an existing investigation.Profiling is a valuable tool for police work because it can help...
