Forensic Psychology lies at the intersection of psychology and law, applying psychological theories and knowledge to the criminal justice system. From interrogating suspects and understanding the innerworkings of a criminal mind to supporting offenders and victims in the aftermath of crime, its scope is both vast and varied. This article provides an insight into three critical aspects of forensic psychology:

• ‘Profiling’ offenders.
• Conducting interviews and interrogations.
• Preventing crime through psychological means.

1. ‘Profiling’

The popular notion of ‘profiling’ is that it gives police investigators a sense of where to target their investigations, describing the likely personality, lifestyle, motivations, age and other characteristics of the offender. While this depiction, as dramatised in Doyles’s Sherlock Holmes or Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs – the thriller that first popularised the concept – is entertaining in fiction, it is not particularly helpful in real life. What detectives really need are specific directions to channel their investigation or effective methods for interviewing suspects.

This section outlines two criminal cases where offender ‘profiling’ was used: the Jack the Ripper case and The Mad Bomber of New York.

Jack the Ripper

Perhaps the first truly professional ‘profile’ was created by Dr. Thomas Bond, a medical officer, who regularly carried out autopsies and advised the police on several Jack the Ripper murders. In a letter to the police, he wrote:

“The murderer must have been a man of physical strength and great coolness and daring. There is no evidence he had an accomplice. He must be in my opinion a man subject to periodic attacks of homicidal and erotic mania… The murderer in external appearance is quite likely to be a quiet inoffensive looking man probably middle-aged and neatly and respectably dressed. I think he might be in the habit of wearing a cloak or overcoat or he could hardly have escaped notice in the streets if the blood on his hands or clothes were visible.”

By today’s standards, this is a perfectly sensible description. For comparison, here are some of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s speculative ideas:

• He has spent time in America.
• He is educated and not a toiler.
• He is accustomed to the use of a pen.
• He likely has a rough knowledge of surgery.
• He probably clothes himself as a woman to approach victims without arousing suspicion and to escape the crime without detection.
• He has written letters either using his real name or including clues that are traceable back to him.

While Dr. Bond’s assessment was methodical and grounded in evidence, Doyle’s imaginative theories highlight the differences between fictional deduction and practical criminal profiling.

The Mad Bomber of New York

One of the most famous modern ‘profiles’ was created for this case. Over a 16-year period spanning the 1940s and 1950s, homemade bombs were planted in public spaces across New York. Anonymous letters written to the Consolidated Edison Company said that the bombings would continue until the company “brought justice to the bomber.” The psychiatrist James Brussel claimed the person responsible possessed these following characteristics:

• Male (as most bombers statistically are).
• Has knowledge of metalworking, pipefitting and electricity.
• Pathologically self-centred.
• Loner with no close male of female friends.
• Symmetric, athletic body shape, neither overweight nor thin.
• Likely middle-aged (given the prolonged duration of the bombings).
• Well-educated.
• Unmarried.
• Distrusts and despises male authority, likely from hatred towards his father.
• Lives in Connecticut, is of Slavic descent, Roman Catholic and attends church.
• Neat, tidy and clean-shaven.
• Quiet, polite, methodical and prompt.
• Suffers from a chronic illness, likely heart disease.
• Would be wearing a buttoned double-breasted suit when apprehended.

Despite the accuracy of many of these predictions, the breakthrough in this case came from a Consolidated Edison employee, Alice Kelly. After reading newspaper reports, she eagerly looked through company files on employees who had previously made threats demanding compensation. This drew her attention to George Metesky, who had been injured at the factory in 1931. Since the phrasing of his letters matched the anonymous notes sent to the police, Metesky was eventually identified and convicted.

While most of what Brussel deduced turned out to be correct, it did not directly advance the investigation. The crucial idea was that the bomber was a disgruntled ex-employee, and this is what distinguishes ‘profiling’ from the films to those in real-life investigations. Instead of trying to make glorious deductions to almost single-handedly solve crimes, ‘profiling’ is a promising lead for narrowing down the possible suspect list.

• Conducting Interviews, Interrogations and Crime Prevention Through Psychological Means

Forensic Psychologists also work directly with criminals – they are often asked to interview all kinds of suspect. It is, therefore, essential that they follow these guidelines:

• Listen carefully.
• Encourage spontaneous recall.
• Ask open-ended questions. *
• Hold a pause after responses. **
• Avoid interrupting.
• Ask for detail descriptions.
• Adopt the witness’ perspective.
• Ask relevant questions.

* This helps the interviewer understand the witness’ state (i.e. drunk etc.) and it is easier to detect deception this way.

** Pausing after responses is a clever trick to get the witness to speak more about the question asked.

However, witnesses may sometimes be found guilty of confessing to a crime, even when they are innocent. Forensic psychologists are trained to identify these cases using the following indicators:

• Impaired memory due to substance use, making them more susceptible to suggestions.
• Has a form of mental illness causes difficulty in distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
• Has a form of learning disability, which may hinder understanding of the situation.
• Has cultural differences, where authority figures are not questioned, leading to compliance with false accusations.

Interviewers are taught the mnemonic PEACE, which stands for:

• Preparation.
• Engage and explain purpose of interview.
• Account – free recall.
• Clarify, challenge and conclude.
• Evaluate – new lines of inquiry?

Crime Prevention through Psychological Means

Forensic psychologists also play a crucial role in preventing crime, not just helping to solve it. Their responsibilities extend to addressing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and creating strategies to mitigate risks. Here are two key areas of focus:

• Tackling Criminal Street Gangs.

For many youngsters, gangs almost act as ‘second families’, providing a sense of identity and belonging. Research shows that 5% of young gang members account for 25% of all crimes committed by young people. It is up to a forensic psychologist to address this issue by:

• Providing positive opportunities for young people to take part in.
• Ensuring that schools and educational activities are safe, inclusive and build trust.
• Helping parents understand their role better.
• Providing mentoring for young people with role models who demonstrate success through lawful and meaningful achievements.

• Disrupting Criminal Careers.

A way to reduce a criminal’s chance of reoffending is to help them directly. Forensic psychologists focus on:

• Educating reoffenders about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse through structured rehabilitation programs.
• Enhancing detection and surveillance techniques to improve the identification and capture of reoffenders.

It is important to note that as alcohol abuse does lead to more crime, prison is not always the best solution – the most effective way of dealing with alcohol abuse in youngsters is to teach them how to cope and act in the presence of alcohol. When they are in controlled environments like prison, where alcohol is forbidden, the chances of them learning how to avoid alcohol in the future is extremely low.

Forensic psychology plays a vital role in both solving and preventing crimes. It goes beyond its fictional portrayal, offering practical and impactful solutions to real-world criminal justice challenges. By focusing on the psychological aspects of criminal behaviour, forensic psychologists assist in narrowing down suspect lists and offer crucial support for both victims and offenders. Through education, intervention and rehabilitation, these psychologists can reduce crime and help individuals make positive changes. They ultimately contribute to a more effective and humane justice system.