Citation

McCann JT. Behav. Sci. Law 1992; 10(4): 475-481.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.2370100405

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Criminal personality profiling is the process of analyzing various aspects of violent crime to derive a set of hypotheses about the characteristics of an unknown assailant. The ultimate goal of profiling is to assist in the successful apprehension and conviction of the perpetrator. Recent advances in the development of profiling as a forensic science are reviewed. While it is generally held that profiling is more art than science, there is evidence suggesting that greater scientific rigor can be attained. New methods of standardizing violent crime classification, the qualification of professional profilers as expert witnesses, and standard computerized data bases all point to the potential for a science of profiling. Future directions that may assist in expanding the empirical foundations of profiling are also discussed.

Language: en