Value and Ethical Concerns of Psychological Profiling

Last updated 22 November 2022

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Criminal profiling is the use of identification of characteristics of an individual or individuals who has committed a crime through a systematic observational process using an analysis of the victim, scene, forensic evidence and facts of the crime (Psychological Disorders, n.d.). Criminal profiling is used in behavioral science by criminologists to examine and person’s criminal behavior and as an attempt to try and predict actions that may occur in the future by criminals.

Criminal profiling is used in many different areas can be of some value to some. Some areas we will look at in the paper are society, policing, corrections and courts. Each area can use criminal profiling when dealing with the different individuals that may come along or are encountered.

Society can be hard on everyone when it comes to the criminal aspect. People are profiled for many different reasons it could be related to race, ethnicity, background or religion to name a few. There are a lot of crimes that are committed in society that can be solved or pieced together based on psychological profiling. Different people act out for different reasons and being able to link current cases to old cases may be able to help with solving a crime or at least being able to put together the reasons or how a crime was committed. Looking at one’s race or background may be able to give insight on why a crime was committed in the manner or way that it was.

Policing and psychological profiling can be handy when solving crimes or conduction an investigation. When considering a case, it may be possible to use psychological profiling to comparing different cases to one another to see if there are any similarities in either of them with hopes of finding new leads or to extend the investigation. When using psychological profiling in policing not only are the characteristics looked at but the behavioral sequences are looked at as well with other things before any suggestions are made or a case is built. It is important when policing to make sure that all guideline is being followed as well as the chain of command to make sure no boundaries are being over stepped and that all-important issues are handled in a professional manner. All information should be kept secure and safe. Profiling in policing may help to solve crimes and catch criminals however, this is not always the case but may very well be capable. By profiling in policing it can help get some criminals off the street and cut back on crime.

Correctios psychological profiling is important. There is a mixture of individuals in corrections. Not everyone should be in the same environment based on things such as sexual orientation, mental status or crime committed. Individuals are already profiled before they are brought into corrections as a result it should determine the type of housing the individual should be in once they reach corrections. Taking into consideration of what type of crime they have committed as well as their characteristics such as mental state should be number one in considering their spot in corrections.

Many different people come through corrections and it is the job of the corrections staff to make sure that all individuals are treated fairly and profiling can help them to make sure that everyone is getting the proper treatment that is needed based on their individual’s status or issues. If an individual has a mental illness they should be kept with individuals that they identify with.

When transition into corrections the individual’s information should remain confidential aside of what information is already listed as public. When dealing with individuals in corrections a professional manner should always be kept up. There should never be a breach of professionality or ethical guidelines. There are also crimes that are committed while in corrections. When handling the issues inside corrections the criminal profiling may be treated the same as profiling in society.

The courts systems deal with many different types of individuals daily. Not all individuals are the same or commit the same types of crime. Profiling in court is helpful because its gives the judge a better chance and view at the criminal when they have been in front of him on multiple occasions but different cases. Some cases are similar and for that they may be handle in a similar manner. When the judge or court staff does use criminal profiling, it gives them a head up of what type of criminal or individual that they are deal with and how to handle to case.

In all cases, there may be a significant number of ethical issues that are present during the case of psychological profiling no matter what area it is coming from. One issue is professionalism. The lack of training or education on profiling may be common. However, the Academy of Behavioral Profiling (ABP) founded in 1999 was created to help address any ethical concerns (encyclopedia.com, n.d.). The sharing of individual’s personal information or interference with their professional life could result in some ethical issues. All cases should be handled professionally and cautiously so that no ethical guidelines are crossed. Each area deal with a different type of issues however the ethical issues could very well be the same for each.

Criminal profiling can be useful in many situations. It can be helpful with selecting employees, social life or professional life. Criminal profiling is not only for the criminal world be for everyday life when dealing with individuals. Criminal profiling can help to solve cases or shed light on to why a certain crime has been committed. It can help on the courts, policing, society and corrections.