data gathered from in-depth interviews with 36 sexually motivated serial killers including Ted Bundy and Charles Manson. Profilers who use this method will match what is known about the crime and the offender to a template that the FBI developed using the data they gathered from the interviews they conducted. Murderers or rapists are classified in one of two categories (organised or disorganised) on the basis of the evidence, and this classification informs the subsequent police investigation. Organised and disorganised types of offender The distinction between organised and disorganised offenders is based on the idea that serious offenders have a particular way of 'working' (this is referred to as modus operandi – MO) and that these generally correlate with a particular set of social and psychological characteristics that relate to the individual. See table on the next page. Notes: Organised offenders Disorganised offenders Shows evidence of having planned the crime in advance The victim is deliberately targeted and will often reflect the fact that the killer or rapist has a 'type'. They maintain a high level of control during the crime and may operate with almost detached surgical precision. There is little evidence or clues left behind at the scene. They tend to be of above-average intelligence, in a skilled, professional occupation and are socially and sexually competent. They are usually married and may even have children. Shows little evidence of planning suggesting the offence may have been a spontaneous, spur of the moment act. The crime scene tends to reflect the impulsive nature of the attack – the body is usually still at the scene and there appears to have been very little control on the part of the offender. They tend to have a lower than average IQ, be in unskilled work or unemployed, and often have a history of sexual dysfunction and failed relationships. They tend to live alone and often relatively close to where the offence took place. Constructing a profile:
such as nervousness, anxiety and obsessiveness. The opposite end of the spectrum is described as 'stable' and they would have a calm demeanour and a more carefree attitude. Psychoticism – someone who measure high on this scale would be insensitive, unemotional and lack a conscience. This dimension, according to Eysenck was different to the other two as he believed most people would gain a low score on psychoticism whereas most people would fall in the middle of the E & N spectrum. Biological basis to the theory: (What psychological debate would this link to?). Although Eysenck's theory of criminal personality is psychological he does argue that all personality types - including the criminal personality - have an innate, biological basis . Therefore we have a predisposition to inherit certain traits, some of which could make it more likely for an individual to develop a criminal personality. (continues on next page) Notes Biological basis for; Extroversion: Due to low levels of arousal in the brain. Extraverts seek excitement and stimulation from the environment and are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour. Neuroticism: Due to the ANS, some people react swiftly and strongly to stress physiologically. Eysenck argued that those who are high in neuroticism would react quickly and to a greater degree. Their general instability means their behaviour is difficult to predict. Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) (This is also referred to as Eysenck's Personality Inventory or EPI) This measures where an individual is along the E, N & P dimensions to determine their personality type. Below are some examples for items measuring each personality trait: Do you like to talk a lot? (E) Are you rather lively (E) Do you worry about things that might happen (N) Are your feelings rather easily hurt? (N) Do you seem to get into a lot of fights (P) Would you enjoy practical jokes that could sometimes really hurt people (P)