Adult Criminal Profiling 21extroversion, sociability, jealousy, possessiveness of sexual partner, tendency not to
change opinions easily, philandering, and a tendency to avoid blame. These same
researchers state that many of the positive traits of good police officers are also ben-
eficial in examining the characteristics of the habitual criminal. Thus a complete
understanding of officers' strengths and weaknesses may help in profiling criminals.
As previously stated, certain criminals tend to receive the spotlight in regard to
psychological/criminological profiling. Not surprisingly, these crimes are often the
most serious, such as homicide. It is therefore not surprising that the majority of
research focuses on these criminals, since conceivably they are the most dangerous.
Profiling sexual murderers seems to dominate the literature due to the nature of the
crime itself. The sexual murderer often appears to be unmotivated and engages in
a series of bizarre behaviors inconsistent with any other type of criminal typology.
In examining a sample of sexual murderers, the FBI (1985b) has developed a
series of profile characteristics based on both demographic and crime scene traits.
These traits have broken down homicide into an organized and disorganized type.
Each typology allows the law enforcement agent to create a profile of the murderer,
thus expediting the arrest of the suspect (Tables III and IV).
Dividing sexual murderers into organized and disorganized types allows for more
accurate profiling based on information obtained through arrests. The crime scene
TABLE III Profile Characteristics of Organized and Disorganized
Murderers'^7
Organized Disorganized
Average to above-average intelligence
Socially competent
Skilled work preferred
Sexually competent
High birth order status
Father's work stable
Inconsistent childhood discipline
Controlled mood during crime
Use of alcohol with crime
Precipitating situational stress
Living with partner
Mobility with car in good condition
Follows crime in news media
May change jobs or leave townBelow-average intelligence
Socially inadequate
Unskilled work
Sexually incompetent
Low birth order status
Father's work unstable
Harsh discipline as child
Anxious mood during crime
Minimal use of alcohol
Minimal situational stress
Living alone
Lives/works near crime scene
Minimal interest in news media
Significant behavior change (drug/
alcohol abuse, religiosity, etc.)
''FBI (1985b, p. 19).