In both cinematic productions of detective narratives and documentary productions of real crimes, it is common for the crime scene to be portrayed as a location where physical evidence is gathered. Fingerprints, DNA, surveillance tapes, and witness testimony are commonly portrayed as the crucial elements in solving a crime. From a more psychological perspective, however, a crime scene is more than simply a location where physical evidence is gathered. From a more psychological perspective, a crime scene is a location where behavioral evidence is left behind that is indicative of the cognitive, emotional, and personality features of the offender.
From a more psychological perspective, a crime scene is a location where evidence of a crime is left behind, but it is also a location that could be indicative of what kind of mind was responsible for committing a particular act. Within a behavioral analysis perspective, a criminal act is rarely random. During a criminal act, a series of cognitive or unconscious decisions is made by the offender, and this series of decisions can be very indicative of crucial features of the offender’s psychological functioning. Thus, within a more modern perspective of forensic psychology, it is possible to look beyond more traditional legal issues in a determination of a criminal act.
Behavioral Analysis and The Meaning Of Crime
One of the key concepts in behavioral analysis is the difference between modus operandi (MO) and signature behavior. Modus operandi is the practical methods by which the perpetrator commits the crime. In addition, modus operandi is usually implemented to avoid detection. Signature behavior, on the other hand, is composed of behaviors not required for the commission of the offense. In addition, signature behavior is an expression of psychological need. These behaviors include internal needs, fantasies, and emotional drives. Excessive violence, rituals, and specific interactions with victims can be an indication that the offense has an additional importance to the perpetrator. These factors demonstrate that the offense is significant to the perpetrator (Douglas & Munn, 1992; Turvey, 2011).
Another factor in behavioral analysis is understanding whether an offense is an organized or an impulsive offense. Organized offenses involve planning, preparation, and decision-making. These behaviors can be an indicator of an internal need for controlling behavior and an ability to control behavior. Impulsive offenses, on the other hand, are usually committed in an emotionally aroused state. These behaviors include feelings such as anger, fear, and panic. Nevertheless, research has demonstrated that even impulsive violent crimes include cognitive justifications for why they committed the offense. These justifications allow the perpetrator to justify the offense as necessary and justifiable. Understanding this internal justification is critical in understanding criminals (Canter, 2004).
Motivation and Psychological Needs
One of the main aspects of a psychological assessment in a forensic context is motivation analysis. According to the literature on violent behavior, a distinction is usually made between reactive and instrumental violence. Reactive violence is usually associated with powerful emotions, such as anger or perceived threat, whereas instrumental violence is goal-oriented and used as a means to acquire power, control, revenge, or gain. Many homicide cases may involve both forms of motive, but analyzing the main motive may give valuable information about the personality and psychological needs of the offender.
In some cases, the offender may display a higher level of violence than what the situation calls for or commit the same type of crime on multiple occasions. Such behavior cannot be attributed to a momentary loss of control. According to the psychodynamic and behavioral approaches, the act of committing a crime may provide a psychological release or a feeling of dominance or power for some offenders. In the case of serial crimes, repetitive behavior has also been linked to compulsiveness, sadistic behavior, and a need to control others. These observations point to the fact that the crime may be fulfilling a psychological function in addition to the outcome of the act (Ressler, Burgess & Douglas, 1988).
The Forensic Psychologist’s Perspective: From Behavior To Mind
At this point, the distinction between the conventional detective approach and the forensic psychological point of view comes into focus. Unlike the detective, who simply wants to know who the offender is, the forensic psychologist wants to know the reason behind the crime. The manner in which the offender has committed the crime, the offender’s choice, and the emotional state of the offender are crucial in the psychological assessment of the offender. Without a knowledge of the offender’s motivation and personality structure, it would be extremely difficult to assess the risk of future violent behavior or to plan a preventive program.
The current applications of behavioral analysis go beyond the investigation of serial crimes to include threat assessment, risk evaluation, and the psychological analysis of violent offenders. In the current understanding of forensic psychology, the crime scene is not viewed as the end product of the crime but as a manifestation of the perpetrator’s internal world. Every action in the crime scene has the potential to carry a message, and if this message is carefully analyzed, it becomes possible to not only understand the crime but also the perpetrator’s personality. Thus, the crime scene is not only a physical space for the collection of evidence but also a space that is influenced by the perpetrator’s personality. In the current understanding of the role of the forensic psychologist in the investigation of crime, the solution to the crime not only provides the solution to the crime scene but also provides the solution to the human mind in all its most complex and darkest manifestations. In this sense, the path from the crime scene to the perpetrator’s personality becomes clear, illustrating the fact that every crime tells a story not only about the crime but also about the perpetrator.
References
Canter, D. (2004). Offender Profiling and Criminal Differentiation. Journal of Behavioral Sciences & Law.
Douglas, J. E., & Munn, C. (1992). Violent Crime Scene Analysis. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.
Meloy, J. R. (2000). The Psychology of Stalking: Clinical and Forensic Perspectives. Academic Press.
Turvey, B. (2011). Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis. Academic Press.
Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review.
Ressler, R. K., Burgess, A. W., & Douglas, J. E. (1988). Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives. Lexington Books.
FBI Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) publications, Behavioral Analysis Unit resources.