Criminal Minds: The Science and Psychology of Profiling

Many people would react with disbelief if told that criminal profilers could predict the car the killer drove, where the rapist worked, and the clothes the bomber would be wearing when captured. Yet, amazingly enough, this has been the case in a large number of investigations. From tracking down serial killers and rapists to kidnappers and bombers, Criminal Minds reveals how behavioral psychology and crime scene analysis — and, in some cases, a small amount of luck — have helped to cut short some of the deadliest criminal careers of all time.

Follow police procedures from the very beginning — from the collection and assessment of all case materials, including crime scene photographs, witness statements, victim information, and autopsy reports. Learn how the FBI and other law enforcement agencies around the world construct a criminal profile: the likely background and physical and behavioral characteristics of an unknown perpetrator. Read how a profile is used to provide guidelines on the best way to approach, apprehend, and interview suspects. Discover how investigators use forensic examinations and any other relevant information to reconstruct and explain a crime.

Each chapter contains detailed, real life case studies to illustrate the techniques discussed, and the whole book is packed with stunning photographs. Case studies include the first known use of criminal profiling, in the hunt for Jack the Ripper in Victorian London; the investigation which snared Timothy Spencer, the South Side Rapist; the astonishingly accurate profile which led to the capture of George Metesky, the Mad Bomber of New York; the trail leading to the conviction of violent "signature" killer, George Russell. Criminal Minds provides a comprehensive, compelling introduction to this fascinating subject. David Owen's works include publications on military deception and air accident investigations as well as radio and television documentaries on electronic intelligence and computer crime. Owen has contributed to leading newspapers and his television work as producer and director extends to more than 80 projects. He is the author of several books including Hidden Evidence and Hidden Secrets.


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