Chapter 7: Crime Scene Analysis and Psychological Autopsy
Media presents films like "Silence of the Lambs" and "Hannibal," but they are not accurate depictions of forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists cannot psychically link with killers; success rate is not higher than chance. Forensic psychology is based on scientific practice and has limitations; career opportunities are limited though slightly increasing.
Crime Scene Investigation
Crime Scene Investigation: Crime scenes are categorized as organized, disorganized, and mixed.
Organized Crime Scenes: criminal shows planning, forethought, and avoids detection; maintains control of self and victim; victim is selected. 
Disorganized Crime Scenes: no planning, motive is impulse, rage, or intense emotion; chaotic scene; victim random; uses materials at hand; hurried attack. Characteristics: body left at scene, spontaneous offense, evidence/weapon present, victim/location known, body left in view, depersonalizes victim, minimal conversation, crime scene sloppy, sudden violence to victim.
Mixed Crime Scenes: characteristics of both organized and disorganized; may indicate two offenders or interrupted planned crime; planned robbery with unplanned murder is example.
Organized-disorganized typology has limited usefulness; crime scenes exist along a continuum (Kocsis, Cooksey & Irwin 2002).
Trophy Taking and Staging
Trophy Taking: violent, repetitive offenders may take meaningful souvenirs to remember incident, control victim, or as signature.
Staging: purposeful alteration of crime scene to mislead authorities; usually done by someone associated with victim; motives include insurance fraud or protecting family/reputation. 
Psychological Autopsy
Psychological Autopsy: psychological reconstruction of deceased person; also called psychiatric autopsy, retrospective death assessment, reconstructive evaluation, equivocal death analysis. Profile prepared for known identity. Term coined in 1977 by Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office (Shneidman 1977). Spellman & Heyne: psychological autopsy aids suicide detection/prevention in jails; provides closure and knowledge to staff. Technique is more valid when focused on manner and circumstances of death. Elements: history (alcohol, drugs, stress, medical, family, military, employment, education, sexual, dietary), interpersonal relationships (writings, belongings, communications, hobbies, enemies), reactions of others, assessment of decedent's role in own demise, socio-emotional state (fantasies, dreams, fears, mood swings, mental status, concentration, IQ).
Types of Death and Equivocal Analysis
Types of Death: natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined.
Equivocal Death Analysis: inquiries open to multiple interpretations; death may appear homicide, suicide, accident, or natural; often staged. Purpose: uncover reality, often used by insurance companies; US military uses to ensure no foul play.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction: use of scientific method, logical reasoning, information sources, and experience to interpret crime events. Bevel & Gardner (2001): "determining the most probable sequence of events." Begins with crime scene walk-through to test sequences. Forensic psychologists consider mental state, psychosocial factors, marital/familial relationships, financial status.
Procedure of Equivocal Death Analysis: interviews with family/acquaintances, examination of personal documents (suicide notes, diaries, letters), post mortem reports, medical reports, police reports.
Limits of Profiling and Psychological Autopsy
Limits of Profiling and Psychological Autopsy: statistical or subjective approaches alone are insufficient. Two limitations: individual differences and unpredictability of human behavior.
Individual Differences: no two humans alike; human nature complex; knowledge limited; Holy Quran (Ayatal-Kursi) highlights limited human understanding.
Unpredictability of Human Behavior: past behavior may not predict future behavior; e.g., criminal becoming spiritual, or pious person committing crime; statistical/scientific approach may mislead. Socio-economic status may bias suspicion (e.g., servant assumed to steal).
Clinical/subjective approach limited as courts demand physical evidence. Forensic psychologists need balance of intuition and statistical probabilities; start with science, then integrate artistic/intuitive judgment.
Key Concepts and Limitations
Organized, disorganized, mixed types
Souvenirs by offenders
Altering scenes to mislead
Reconstruction of deceased's life
For ambiguous deaths
Individual differences, unpredictability
Summary of Important Points
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Crime Scenes | Categorized as organized, disorganized, mixed |
| Trophy Taking | Offenders take souvenirs |
| Staging | Altering crime scenes |
| Psychological Autopsy | Reconstruction for equivocal deaths |
| Reconstruction | Interpreting crime events |
| Limitations | Human unpredictability, biases |