Criminal Investigative Psychology

by Filomena Napolitano
(Catskill, NY, USA)

Photo Credit: Christine Kaelin

I am researching criminal Investigative Psychology. I am presently taking on line courses for my high school diploma. When I graduate I would like to pursue college, and get a degree in criminal Investigative Psychology. I am also learning about serial killers, their motives, and what makes them do the things they do.

Comments Received

I recommend that you download The Psychology of Intelligence Analysis book (in p.d.f.) authored by Richards J. Heuer Jr. from the following website: www.cia.gov/library/books/psychology (Badariah Araby).

I'm also interested in the field of criminal investigative psychology...right now I'am taking up psychology major and soon to take up criminal investigative psychology...I love it... :) (Sofia Reyes).

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Related Information

Criminal Profiling Debate:



Consultant psychologist Dr Craig Jackson has reignited the debate over the utility and effectiveness of criminal profiling.

Jackson argues that criminal profiling is unscientific and potentially harmful adding that "Behavioural profiling has never led to the direct apprehension of a serial killer or murderer, so it seems to have no real-world value." Dr. Jackson's views have received considerable press coverage (see following links).

http://bit.ly/criminalProfiling1

http://bit.ly/CriminalProfiling2

To be honest, there is nothing new in this type of criticism, particularly of the criminal profiling methodology developed by the FBI. In 2007 Malcolm Gladwell wrote a provocative article on criminal profiling entitled "Dangerous Minds" that appeared in the New Yorker. The article documents the historical roots of criminal profiling, beginning with the pioneering work of psychiatrist James Brussel and how the work of Brussel influenced FBI profiling. The article then presents a critical review of the work of prominent FBI profilers such as John Douglas; a review that clearly questions the usefulness of criminal profiling as an investigative methodology.

See following link to read Gladwell's article on criminal profiling in full.

http://nyr.kr/DangerousMinds

Learn About Criminal Profiling:

A good way of enagaing with this debate is to learn more criminal profiling and there are plenty of opportunites to do just that over at the All About Forensic Psychology Website.

Criminal Profiling (First Documented Use)

Criminal Profiling (The FBI Legacy)

Criminal Profiling (Methodology)

Geographic Profiling

Criminal Profiling (A Realistic career aspiration?)