Question 1

In a study examining the effectiveness and accuracy of profiling, the vast majority of criminal profiles were found to be:

Accepted Answer

Criminal profiling has often been criticized for its inaccuracy and inconsistency, as it relies on generalizations that may not apply to specific cases.

Question 2

Research has essentially discredited the idea at the heart of the profiling process: that _____ crimes are committed by _____ people.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that similar crimes are not necessarily committed by similar people, challenging the core assumption of criminal profiling.

Question 3

The hypothesized differences between organized and disorganized killers:

Accepted Answer

The hypothesized differences between organized and disorganized killers, as proposed in criminal profiling theories, have not been consistently confirmed in empirical studies. This has led to criticism regarding the reliability and validity of using such typologies for investigative purposes.

Question 4

Which one of the following statements about the application of criminal profiling to police investigations is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Criminal profiling, while a tool in investigations, does not have a high success rate in directly solving most cases. Its effectiveness and the direct contribution to solving cases are often debated, with many professionals in the field acknowledging that profiles can sometimes be more helpful in understanding the type of person who may commit a crime rather than pinpointing the exact individual responsible.

Question 5

As a rule, _____ approaches have been found to be superior to _____ approaches.

Accepted Answer

Statistical approaches are generally considered superior to intuitive approaches because they rely on empirical data and analytical methods to make decisions, reducing the influence of personal bias and increasing the likelihood of accurate outcomes.

Question 6

One of the most serious _____ of profiles is that _____ profiles may direct the police to look at the wrong suspects.

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is A) problems; misleading because the sentence is discussing a negative aspect of profiles, which is that they can be misleading and cause the police to focus on incorrect suspects.

Question 7

Alexis is trying to figure out whether murders in three different states were committed by the same person. This process is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Case linkage involves analyzing crimes to determine if they were committed by the same offender based on similarities in the crimes.

Question 8

According to the text, courts have been reluctant to allow expert testimony based on psychological autopsies. One exception to this rule is a routine use of psychological autopsies in cases where:

Accepted Answer

Psychological autopsies are used in cases where the mental state of a deceased person is in question, such as determining their competency when a will was written. This method helps in understanding the intentions and mental condition of the person at the time of the will's creation.

Question 9

A serial killer has been dumping his victims' bodies along the highways in several states. Using computer programs for geographic profiling, a crime analyst is close to pinpointing a buffer zone, which is an area where the perpetrator:

Accepted Answer

A buffer zone in geographic profiling is an area where the perpetrator is less likely to commit crimes, often because it is close to their home or a place they frequent, making them feel more at risk of being identified.

Question 10

According to the text, some persistent problems with profiling include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is C because the text suggests that the persistent problems with profiling include its low likelihood to aid investigations, the ambiguity of characteristics, and the lack of substantial research evidence supporting its validity. The high frequency of profiling use by law enforcement is not mentioned as a problem.

Question 11

When assessing for common traits among stranger rapists, Mokros and Alison (2002) found that there was _____ among criminals who committed similar crimes.

Accepted Answer

Mokros and Alison (2002) found that there was no demographic resemblance among criminals who committed similar crimes, indicating that stranger rapists do not share common demographic traits.

Question 12

In a study examining the effectiveness and accuracy of profiling, criminal profiles led to the identification of a perpetrator:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that criminal profiling, while a useful tool in some investigations, leads to the identification of a perpetrator in a relatively small percentage of cases, often cited as less than 3%.

Question 13

All of the following statements are true about implicit bias, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Implicit bias can be corrected or mitigated through various methods, such as awareness, education, and intentional practice, contrary to the claim that it cannot be corrected even with time and reflection.

Question 14

A basic assumption of profiling is that particular crime scene characteristics are associated with specific _____. Research has _____ this assumption.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A basic assumption of profiling is that...

Question 15

According to the text, an attempt to examine the mental state of an individual prior to his or her death is known as:

Accepted Answer

A psychological autopsy is an investigative process that seeks to uncover the mental state of an individual prior to their death, often used in cases of ambiguous or unexplained deaths to determine the individual's intentions and state of mind.

Question 16

The reliance on maps and mathematics to develop predictions about possible locations of future crimes is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Geographic profiling is a crime analysis technique that uses the locations of a series of crimes to determine the most probable area of offender residence. It relies heavily on maps and mathematical algorithms to predict future crime locations.

Question 17

The NASH system is utilized to classify the:

Accepted Answer

The NASH system is used to classify the causes of death.

Question 18

In a study by Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990) that has compared the accuracy of profiles developed by trained profilers with those of students, it was found that _____ created more accurate profiles _____.

Accepted Answer

Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990) found that trained profilers created more accurate profiles than students, but this accuracy was specifically noted for sex offenses, indicating a specialized skill or knowledge area that enhanced profiling accuracy for these types of crimes.

Question 19

Janet is a chief of police in a city where a string of rape-murder cases are being investigated. She has received an offer of help from the FBI. The FBI's Behavioral Science Unit specialists have developed a profile to help Janet's department solve the cases that look like a serial killer spree. All of the following are serious problems with the characteristics of the perpetrator identified in the profile, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Profiles that include unusual characteristics can be helpful because they might make it easier to identify the perpetrator among many individuals.

Question 20

In geographic profiling, an anchor point refers to:

Accepted Answer

Anchor points in geographic profiling refer to locations significant to the offender, such as their home, work, or any other place from where they might initiate their criminal activities. These points are used to understand the spatial behavior of the offender.

Quiz 5: Criminal Profiling and Psychological Autopsies