Forensic Psychology Midterm 1
Investigative Psychology Correct Answer: the application of psychology to criminal investigation (broad
definition involving profiling, police lineups, risk assessment, polygraphing, hypnosis)
Polygraph Correct Answer: This isn't used in the courtroom because it only measures physical
responses, not the truth.
Criminal Profiling Correct Answer: Identifying personal characteristics, behavioral tendencies,
geographic location, demographics, biographical descriptors based on crime scene characteristics
(1) narrow suspects (2) form predictions Correct Answer: 2 Goals of Criminal Profiling:
1971 Correct Answer: What year did Criminal Profiling become popular, being used by the FBI?
Arson (fire), burglary, shoplifting, white collar crimes Correct Answer: Profiling has expanded to what 4
things?
Reizer Correct Answer: Who started profiling?
based on intuition, no scientifically based, doesn't keep confidentiality, no uniform standards to abide
by, "art" not science Correct Answer: Why is profiling criticized?
(1) Dynamic vs Static Risk Factors
(2) Crime scene concepts (MO, Signature, Organized vs Disorganized, Undoing, Trophy, Staging) Correct
Answer: What are the two parts of profiling examinations?
MO Correct Answer: The method an offender uses to successfully commit a crime (changing with time
after offender becomes more intelligent)
Signature Correct Answer: The means to communicate beyond what is necessary to commit a crime
(always the same; used to scare/intrege)
Organized Correct Answer: This type of crime scene implicates planning and premeditation which is key
for prosecution
Disorganized Correct Answer: This type of crime scene show impulsiveness and reaction in the heat of
the moment
Undoing Correct Answer: The behavioral pattern at a crime scene that may show remore or justifcation
as a defense mechanism
Trophy Correct Answer: Taking something, usually consistent and possibly as a signature
Staging Correct Answer: The intentional alteration of a crime scene often found with suicide before the
police arrive with a purpose to redirect investigations
, (1) Professional Experience
(2) Criminal experience/confidence
(3) Contact with the criminal justice system
(4) Media and pop culture
(5) Offender mood/mental state (important!)
(6) X-Factors (unexpected influences) Correct Answer: 6 Factors Shaping MO
(1) Psychopathy
(2) Personality Correct Answer: 2 Factors Shaping Signature
Psychological Autopsy Correct Answer: The equivocal death analysis; reconstruction of psychological
reasons for determined death with little scientific evidence (1958 - first used in LA)
Geographical profiling Correct Answer: The analysis of location of death explaining reasons for
movement of offenders
(1) CQT - asking an order of questions
(2) Relevant and Irrelevant Questions Correct Answer: 2 methods of using a polygraph
Countermeasures Correct Answer: What are used in the courtroom to distort polygraph information?
Forensic Hypnosis Correct Answer: Forensic procedures used to enhance memory and recall prior to
court date
(1) CBT (calmly rethink/relive experience)
(2) HTT (psychodynamically based) Correct Answer: 2 Theories of how forensic hypnosis work
(1) Facial Composite
(2) Photoboard
(3) Photospread
(4) Mug Shot Correct Answer: 4 Ways to Identify and Offender
Artist Sketch, Commerical Composite Kit, Computer Generation Correct Answer: 3 ways to use a facial
composite
(1) Trial Consultant
(2) Expert Witness (more common) Correct Answer: What are the 2 roles of forensic psychologists in
the courtroom?
1960s Correct Answer: What years were psychiatrists allowed in the courtroom?
1962 Correct Answer: What year did Jenkins v US allow psychologists in the courtroom since testing is
needed for risk assessment
(1) Supreme Court
(2) Appellate Court (always backed up)
(3) Trial Court (jury decides; limited jurisdiction)
Investigative Psychology Correct Answer: the application of psychology to criminal investigation (broad
definition involving profiling, police lineups, risk assessment, polygraphing, hypnosis)
Polygraph Correct Answer: This isn't used in the courtroom because it only measures physical
responses, not the truth.
Criminal Profiling Correct Answer: Identifying personal characteristics, behavioral tendencies,
geographic location, demographics, biographical descriptors based on crime scene characteristics
(1) narrow suspects (2) form predictions Correct Answer: 2 Goals of Criminal Profiling:
1971 Correct Answer: What year did Criminal Profiling become popular, being used by the FBI?
Arson (fire), burglary, shoplifting, white collar crimes Correct Answer: Profiling has expanded to what 4
things?
Reizer Correct Answer: Who started profiling?
based on intuition, no scientifically based, doesn't keep confidentiality, no uniform standards to abide
by, "art" not science Correct Answer: Why is profiling criticized?
(1) Dynamic vs Static Risk Factors
(2) Crime scene concepts (MO, Signature, Organized vs Disorganized, Undoing, Trophy, Staging) Correct
Answer: What are the two parts of profiling examinations?
MO Correct Answer: The method an offender uses to successfully commit a crime (changing with time
after offender becomes more intelligent)
Signature Correct Answer: The means to communicate beyond what is necessary to commit a crime
(always the same; used to scare/intrege)
Organized Correct Answer: This type of crime scene implicates planning and premeditation which is key
for prosecution
Disorganized Correct Answer: This type of crime scene show impulsiveness and reaction in the heat of
the moment
Undoing Correct Answer: The behavioral pattern at a crime scene that may show remore or justifcation
as a defense mechanism
Trophy Correct Answer: Taking something, usually consistent and possibly as a signature
Staging Correct Answer: The intentional alteration of a crime scene often found with suicide before the
police arrive with a purpose to redirect investigations
, (1) Professional Experience
(2) Criminal experience/confidence
(3) Contact with the criminal justice system
(4) Media and pop culture
(5) Offender mood/mental state (important!)
(6) X-Factors (unexpected influences) Correct Answer: 6 Factors Shaping MO
(1) Psychopathy
(2) Personality Correct Answer: 2 Factors Shaping Signature
Psychological Autopsy Correct Answer: The equivocal death analysis; reconstruction of psychological
reasons for determined death with little scientific evidence (1958 - first used in LA)
Geographical profiling Correct Answer: The analysis of location of death explaining reasons for
movement of offenders
(1) CQT - asking an order of questions
(2) Relevant and Irrelevant Questions Correct Answer: 2 methods of using a polygraph
Countermeasures Correct Answer: What are used in the courtroom to distort polygraph information?
Forensic Hypnosis Correct Answer: Forensic procedures used to enhance memory and recall prior to
court date
(1) CBT (calmly rethink/relive experience)
(2) HTT (psychodynamically based) Correct Answer: 2 Theories of how forensic hypnosis work
(1) Facial Composite
(2) Photoboard
(3) Photospread
(4) Mug Shot Correct Answer: 4 Ways to Identify and Offender
Artist Sketch, Commerical Composite Kit, Computer Generation Correct Answer: 3 ways to use a facial
composite
(1) Trial Consultant
(2) Expert Witness (more common) Correct Answer: What are the 2 roles of forensic psychologists in
the courtroom?
1960s Correct Answer: What years were psychiatrists allowed in the courtroom?
1962 Correct Answer: What year did Jenkins v US allow psychologists in the courtroom since testing is
needed for risk assessment
(1) Supreme Court
(2) Appellate Court (always backed up)
(3) Trial Court (jury decides; limited jurisdiction)
