Cognitive Processes in Criminal Profile Construction: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study undertook an empirically based examination of the cognitive processes associated with the accurate construction of a criminal psychological profile. This was accomplished by comparing the abilities of profilers and nonprofilers in two simulated profiling exercises that measured both profile accuracy and an individual's performance on various tests of memory and comprehension related to the case materials presented in each exercise. The results of these experiments suggest that an incremental relationship exists between comprehension of the case materials and accuracy of the profiles generated. In addition, the findings provide some tentative indications that the comprehension of case material in a narrative (i.e., written) format is an integral cognitive function to proficient profiling.

Taking Stock of Accuracy in Criminal Profiling: The Theoretical Quandary for Investigative Psychology

“…At this juncture (or, chronologically, after Kocsis et al, 2005), the consistency in the research literature appeared to end. First, a discussion by Bennell, Jones, Taylor, and Snook (2006) emerged that opined methodological criticisms and challenged the research of Kocsis and colleagues.…”

“…This study used an arson offense as the case material for the experiment and found statistically significant differences with the profilers surpassing the predictions of the other groups. Finally, a fifth study (Kocsis, Middledorp, & Try, 2005) contained a subcomponent wherein accuracy was tested between profilers versus a nonprofiler group on both the murder and the arson cases. This study found statistically significant results in terms of the profilers surpassing the nonprofilers in being capable of accurately predicting the characteristics of the offenders.…”

“…The first part combined statistical scores from Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990), Kocsis (2004), and Kocsis et al (2002Kocsis et al ( , 2005. This analysis involved a comparison of the performance of expert profilers combined with investigators versus all other participants.…”

“…This analysis involved a comparison of the performance of expert profilers combined with investigators versus all other participants. The second analyses combined the statistical scores derived from Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990), Kocsis (2004), and Kocsis et al (2000Kocsis et al ( , 2005. This second analysis involved a comparison between the performance of expert profilers (alone) versus nonprofilers.…”

“…The percentages in Table 1 are given in terms of the binomial effect size display (BESD), which shows the practical importance of an effect without relying solely on measures such as correlation coefficients, coefficients of determination, Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990); Kocsis (2004); Kocsis, Hayes, & Irwin (2002); and Kocsis, Middledorp, & Try (2005). Meta-Analysis Part (B): Data derived from Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990); Kocsis (2004) or other even less intuitive effect size measures (Rosenthal & Rubin, 1982).…”