excerpt from psycho sleuth

8/14/2019 Excerpt From Psycho Sleuth

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Excerpt From Psycho-Sleuth by Randy Gonzalez - www.drgonzo.org 1

Psycho-Sleuth:

Criminal Behavior AssessmentAnd

The Human Sexual Dimension

InCrime Analysis

By

Randy Gonzalez

Randolph A. Gonzalez All Rights Reserved

2007 Randolph A. Gonzalez (Pending). All rights reserved. This material may notbe reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express priorwritten permission of the copyright holder.


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Contents

Chapter 1: We think, therefore we commit crimes: Page 3

Chapter 2: Assessing the Criminal Mind Why People Commit Crimes Page 11

Chapter 3: The Human Sexual Dimension Page 19

Chapter 4: The Nature of Crime - Crime Control Strategies Page 27

Chapter 5: The Investigative Processes Getting Back To Basics Page 35

Chapter 6: The Nature of Evil Page 43

Chapter 7: Sexuality and Criminal Proclivities Page 51

Chapter 8: Sex, Aggression and Violence Page 58

Chapter 9: Motives, Means and Methods: Page 67

Chapter 10: The Folly of Profiling Challenges of Solving Crimes: Page 75

Chapter 11: Crime Scene Interactive Assessment Focus on Crime Analysis: Page 83

Chapter12: A Synopsis of Sexual Motivations and Inclinations: Page 91

Chapter 13: The Nature of Sexual Deviance and Connectivity to Criminality: Page 99

Chapter 14: The Seductive Nature of Crime and Criminality: Page 107

Chapter 15: The Gothic Nature of Criminal Behavior: Page 115

Chapter 16: Crypto-Criminology A Transformation of Conventional Criminology: Page 123

Chapter 17: Psycho-Sleuth Criminal Behavior Assessment and Cryptic Illusions: Page 131

Chapter 18: Obsession in a Multi-Murderer Mystery Matrix: Page 139

Chapter 19: Psycho-Sleuthing into the Criminality of Human Sexual Behavior: Page 147


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Chapter 1: We think, therefore we commit crimes:

People think, therefore they commit actions of choice. Criminals think, therefore they commit crimes.This is not a very complicated notion, or is it a new concept. What becomes complicated are the processes

and actions that follow, coupled with academic attempts to explain the subsequent acts. In very broad

general terms, criminal behavior can be formatted and analyzed from the assessment of crime scene, but

not to a point of perfection. Assessment, profiling or whatever you want to call it, is no more and no less

just another tool for law enforcement. Just like lifting fingerprints, interviewing witnesses, or gathering

other physical evidence, criminal behavior assessment is basically guesswork. Human behavior is not

subject to strict codification or precise parameters by which exact measures can be deduced. Probabilities

can be asserted along a continuum, whereby we can understand the thinking processes of criminals to the

junction of potential prediction, but not absolute prediction. This is predicated, of course, on the

assumption that certain elements exist within the known environment by which such predictions can be

based. It is frequently suggested that criminals form pre-crime thoughts in an effort to individually and

collectively carry out their criminal behavior intentions. Interdicting at this point in time would be unique

and advantageous from a law enforcement perspective.

Motivations or personal agendas so to speak, set the stage for intentional selection for results that are

either good or evil. Evil is the darkness of the human mind that fosters all manner of opposition to the

positive and productive aspects of life. It is life negation in contrast to life affirmation. Conscious or

subconscious thoughts take relevance and manifest themselves into real levels of expression with a

significant probability of repetition. Thinking processes are the foundation of potential criminal behavior.

People can be inspired by their thoughts for doing both good and evil. The pursuit of certain thoughts is

grounds for criminal activity. People are a dichotomous expression of being on the one hand selfish, self-

indulgent and self-centered in nature, yet also law-abiding, decent and considerate on the other. From an

investigative standpoint, one can never underestimate the depravity of human beings. Human nature is not

to be trusted to an absolute sense in all situations, under all varieties of conditions. Yet, everyone is still

ultimately accountable and responsible for his or her actions, regardless of station or position in a given

socio-economic context. Of course, some would use their status to place themselves above the lawful

necessity of accountability and responsibility. And, as a result of one thinking that he or she can make

choices contrary to accepted legal policy or social acceptance, criminal behavior becomes probable.

Criminal actions are probable due to personal decision-making. Such actions devolve toward personal

choices associated with power and control issues. Criminals basically commit crimes because that is what

they want to do. A persons code of morality is influenced by philosophical fallacies of belief. This affects

the thinking process. People basically do stupid things. The depravity of behavior is most likely

unfathomable to most people. Criminals think before they act. The thoughts are there long before the

event takes place. Thinking becomes the basis to rationalize the behavior and ultimately blame the

behavior on someone or something else. So, crime analysis is probably more descriptive of the actions.


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The formulation of criminal plans (thinking processes) begins with the thought of doing the acts upon

which one desires. Plans to do harm are not sudden and impulsive. They occur over a distinct period of

time in the brain, or mind, of the thinker. And, there is a high probability that since we are biologicallyoriented individual, our sexual drives and desires may influence our decision-making (choice we make) in

terms of the crimes we commit and additions we create.

The thought processes emerge in some behavioral aspect, such as physically, verbally, and nonverbally,

as well as symbolic behavior. Outward behavior is indicative of the inner thoughts of the person.

Interpersonal communication is one of the keys to dealing with aspects of criminal behavior. People in

general use various forms of communication to suggest their feelings, value system, lifestyle, attitude and

thoughts. From tattoos to bumper stickers, to physical gestures and slogans, people, and in particular

criminals, reveal indications of one sort or another as to their inclinations. Physical being is an expression

of presence and that presence translates into wants and presumed needs. Whether by word, symbol or

deed, the inner thoughts surface and become the outer actions of mind over matter so to speak. And,

sometimes these outer actions become anti-social in nature. There is a deliberate desire to do the thing

contemplated, whether the thoughts are short-term or long-term in transformation. Thinking is doing,

acting, believing and experiencing. Various acts of criminal behavior range from the simple to the

complex, depending on the linkage between thought and action, as well as the sophistication of the

criminal. For instance, the amount of physical expression required for a particular act of deviance is related

to the ability, skill and desire of the criminal. Opportunity is a given factor. From thought to action, the

criminal is always looking for opportunistic forms of expression. Desire, opportunity and ability mix

together in order that the desired action is executed. The evil, as a concept of human behavior, concerns

the malevolent things that people do to others. It reflects the inner composition of the human being. The

connectivity evolves around the compendium of crime analysis and criminal behavior assessment.

It is associated with the ideation of preemptive actions toward the outer world, while one struggles with

the inner world. Whether making bombs and blowing up buildings, robbing banks and raping people, the

thinking facilitates the transformation into the criminal behavior. Evil opposes life and seeks to kill or

otherwise destroy life.1

Acting out the actions is indicative of the internal warfare within the imperfect

structure of human nature. As such, evil is human nature, and reflects the various personifications and

proclivities down through history. No matter what the reason or suggested excuse, aberrant behavior

begins with the individuals and then extends outward into the community of people. Whether minor or

major, everyone commits some act of deviance against another. Such acts may be symbolic, verbally

expressive or physical in actuality. The behavior may be overt or covert depending on the individual

tendencies and preferences. Evil is characteristic of the state of human beings and the nature of their

ongoing quest to fulfill selfish endeavors. This means others must suffer the consequences of what

criminals do. Criminal activities extend from the human passion for adverse self-indulgent needs.

1Peck, M.S., People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil, (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1983), page 42;


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The transmutation of the thought processes are continually structured around personal intentions, some

evil and some good. Compulsion to action generally reflects aspects of the personality, which typically

favor the inclination to leave a signature upon ones behavior. As such, the various patterns of behaviorare built upon a foundation of prior thought and consideration. Regardless of the socio-economic

circumstances, criminals postulate their criminal intentions through their own framework of ideation.

Committing acts of evil are from within the person and subsequently carried out in acts of violence, theft,

cheating, and a host of deceptive behaviors.

Analysis and assessment are essential in developing crime prevention and interdiction efforts to prevent

or identifying criminal actions. All human beings are potentially evil (i.e. prone to criminal behavior) and

have the capacity for the commission of hideous acts of aberrant behavior. The only difference between

the so called law abiding citizen and the criminal, is the law abiding citizen controls their criminal

inclination. When we so often speak of what a nice person he was, or she wouldnt hurt anyone, how

do we really know? What scale of perception do we use to assess the inner workings of persons mind,

which we can see or measure by normal means. How do we really know who a person is by looking from

the outside?

Since there are at least two versions of every persons personality and behavior extensions, one private

and one public, what do we really know about the people? For that matter, it is even more complex to

suggest we know something about people we dont know. Analysis, study and assessment are essential in

laying the foundation for more definitive answers. Crime prevention through proactive intervention

strategies is the main objective of this focus. By attempting to identify the basic ingredients in criminal

activity and behavior, the mission is to interdict where possible, as well as identify and apprehend the

criminal to every extent feasible. Law enforcement personnel want to stop the criminal before he or she

commits the crime. If that fails, then the law enforcement practitioners want to solve the case in the most

expedient manner possible.

Listening to convicted criminals serving time in facilities may not be the most efficient way to go

about developing proactive strategies for crime prevention purposes. In most cases, criminals will tell you

whatever you want to hear in order to satisfy their self-serving needs. For this reason, criminal behavior

studies may be significantly flawed due to the deception and manipulation that most criminals act out on a

regular basis. And, given the gullible and often nave nature of many researchers, the problem of data

reliability is even more seriously affected. One must ponder the overall validity of information obtained

from people who spend their lives deceiving others, making up their own rules and scapegoating at every

opportunity. Self-serving, clever and deceptive, criminals will seek to justify every aspect of their

behavior. Their actions will be rationalized to the extent necessary to shift focus from them to someone

else. Criminals are very good at transferring blame from themselves to something or someone else. They

typically will assert that they are the victims and the real victim is actually the cause of the criminals

suffering. Their thinking processes should be of more interest than their environment, personal history or

socio-economic surroundings.


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Criminals are selfish people who only want to make themselves happy at the expense of someones

unhappiness. Their self-centeredness is part of their thinking process. As such, contemporary socio-

economic theories, or positivistic approaches are not effective in assessing criminal behavior for lawenforcement purposes. Criminal behavior rests upon the central aspect of motives, by which a person

moves toward usurping the rights of others in favor of the rights of him or herself. Criminals may differ in

the types of crimes they commit. Yet, they all share a commonality in that they are all criminals and they

plan their crimes. We catch them because they leave clues to which we need to be attentive and alert.

Yet, their underlying ideation or thinking patterns remain essentially similar in nature. Their

commission of a crime is the end result of they way by which they are thinking about life and the world

around them. Thinking precedes the act of commission. Yet, given the many different criminological

perspectives in debate throughout society today, confusion abounds.

And, as a result of such misinformation and confusion, an essential understanding of the criminal and

his or her motives is clouded by overly complex theories that often mislead the criminal justice system.

But, in the quasi-reality of all the theories, there exists the fundamental aspect that a criminal is simply a

criminal regardless of all the socio-economic influences that may surround him or her. He or she chooses

to do evil acts of hideous proportions, because that what he or she wanted to do. Criminal behavior

comes from within the person and stems from the ideation of the individual. In spite of the so called

educated attempts to explain such behavior, we are left with the individual who decided he or she was

going to do exactly as he or she pleased with the lives of other people. In law enforcement, as a branch of

criminology, we are continually distracted with the academic thought processes that try to explain away the

criminal behavior. Policing takes the theoretical and applies the practical necessities of solution.

Along these lines of reasoning, we need to keep in mind that the fact that a criminal has committed a

criminal act is not representative of behavior that suddenly happened. Such behavior is not in the heat of

passion or a sudden uncontrolled impulse. Criminals do not instantly commit criminal acts upon

reaching adulthood. They plan their acts according to what they feel they want. They are determined get

their way regardless of others. Often, the uninformed citizenry, the politician and others who should know

better, upon learning of bizarre criminal behavior, tends to ask why such a tragedy occurred. The

mainstream news media is very good at stirring up such mindless and often stupid questions in a few sound

bites. Then, over the next week or so, news reports will continue to carry the same story over and over

until they can be distracted by the next incident. Part of this questioning of why is the result of simple

minded thinking that does not want to believe that criminals are capable of the most heinous and horrific

acts of violence against others. More often that not, we have a very short memory when it comes to the

history of human behavior through the centuries. Another part of the public-news media mindset is the

thinking that everyone is basically good. And, as the mindset goes, if given a chance and the right

opportunities, everyone will do the right thing. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to

human behavior in the exercise of free will. This is essential to investigating criminal behavior.


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No doubt the list of excuses could be subdivided and probably others could be added to the list. It is

arguable that some of these items could be influential, but they are by no means definitive in determining

choices, actions and behaviors that we carry out everyday of our lives. Some might argue, for example, thepeer pressure, or being picked on in school could be precursors to criminal behavior. Yet, in realty, we

all face peer pressure in just about every aspect of our lives, from birth to retirement and every stage in

between. What remains essential to the investigative processes and final sanction of the criminal justice

system is what was in the mind of the person who committed the crime. In reference to the so-called

genetic predisposition, there is no credible evidence of a link between criminal behavior and a persons

genetic code. All the theories of modern times seek to offer explanations. Unfortunately, they all fall short

of anything definitive.

Many contemporary criminologists allow themselves to be seduced by clever and deceptive reasons for

criminal behavior that simply do not explain anything substantial. Such theories are based on fallacies of

inference, which lead to illogical conclusions. Anyone can make up anything about anyone and make it

sound academic and scientific.

However, in the real world of law enforcement, criminals continue to commit heinous acts of violence

and destruction, regardless of which theory is popular. Instead, errors in thinking are at the core of criminal

behavior. Those errors relate to bad decision-making in terms of individual choices. A couple of key

points should be considered:

1. A persons personal history in terms of obstacles and challenges do not condemn them to a life ofcrime. People are not predestined to be criminals. They simply make choices based on personal

self interests. Criminals commit crimes because thats what they want to do. Motives are

essentially self-generated.

2. Any theorist can make up any theory of criminal behavior and base it on just about anything in apersons background, personal experiences and so forth. To naively assert that all people are

basically good, does not adequately explain the capacity for evil. Bad behavior obviously comes

from somewhere. Each person has decision making capabilities. As such, he or she can choose

good or evil.

3. A frequent argument that substance abusers commit crimes in order to get more of the substanceof choice. This is an example of a flawed argument and poor excuse for criminal behavior.

Criminals take substances in order to build up the confidence to carry out the crime. They were

criminals before the fact. That is, they committed crimes before becoming substance abusers.

4. Criminals commit crimes because that is what they want to do. In the criminal mindset, you havesomething they want. And, as far as they are concerned, whatever it is that you have, really

belongs to them.

5. For researchers who think its a neat idea to interview criminals in jails or prisons warning signalsshould go off. Criminals will tell you whatever you want to know. Theyre happy to share their

thoughts about crime causation.


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6. It is too simple minded to think that all of a sudden someone decides to commit a crime. Crimesare part of thought processes and extend into action as a result of pre-planning. There is no such

thing as an out of character crime.7. Unfortunately, some practitioners, academics, politicians and reporters sometimes conduct a

public role reversal for the criminal. After some heinous act, the criminal suddenly is transformed

into a victim.

Perhaps, we as the public see the criminal as a mirror reflection of our inner selves, and that is simply

too repugnant to accept at face value. As a result, we tend to blame the victim and find excuses for the

criminal. Could this account for making a hero out of the criminal? Could this also be a reason why

those of us who allege our religious convictions suddenly call for forgiving the criminal?

Forgiveness is one thing, moral retribution is yet another. Maybe were just not smart enough to pick up

on the fact that the criminal is playing us with one of his or her con games. In addition to the seven

points for pondering, others could easily be added to the list to debunk all the stressed notions of criminal

behavior. Criminals do not respect personal boundaries or property rights. Gender, race, ethnicity or

socio-economic status is of little concern to them. They conduct themselves in accordance with their

particular personality. Stress, while influential and no excuse for criminal behavior, may serve as a

mechanism by which the true personality surfaces. Addictions, likewise, may be used by the criminal to

open the door more dangerous forms of behavior.

Criminal behavior is not a disease that is contracted by living within the social context of human

interaction. Such behavior is not like the common cold. You dont catch criminal behavior from

criminals. Criminals create criminal behavior to satisfy their selfish wants and desires regardless of who

gets in the way. You simply create it out of your unique ideology. It cannot be reduced to simplistic

assertions about a criminals psychological, biological or sociological characteristics. Such theoretical

constructs, no matter how convincing, ignore environmental opportunities associated with personal

behavioral choices. In the modern context of academia, there is a great inability to definitively determine

the true nature of criminal behavior. Yet, in spite of this shortcoming in the field of the social sciences, a

number of causation theories persist. Many assertions about criminal behavior go without question or

careful analysis. All the theories tend to be spin offs of basically two historic approaches to criminal

behavior, dating back at least to the eighteenth century. Essentially, the debate revolves around the classic

dichotomy between the historic views of criminal behavior. These fundamental viewpoints stem from the

way by which we view the criminal within society. The discussion includes the positivistic school of

thought versus the classical school of thought. Generally, speaking the Positive School of Thought (PST),

and there are many versions of this today, focuses on the individual with an aim toward reform and

rehabilitation. By contrast, the Classical School of Thought (CST) focuses on the rule of law and asserts

that people have free will to make choices about their actions. CST addresses issues of accountability,

responsibility as well as the ways and means to prevent criminal behavior. PST, on the other hand, does

not necessarily see the law as a way by which people can be controlled.


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As a theory of criminology, PST prefers the rule of people over the rule of the law. It asserts a sense of

scientific determinism, and seeks to apply the scientific method to criminal behavior. PST continues in

various manifestations today which assert biological, psychological and sociology causations thatpredispose the individual to criminal behavior. CST advocates a position that suggests people are

responsible for their actions and must be held accountable. From this view comes the assertion that there is

an aspect of moral blameworthiness to the commission of unlawful acts. Punishment, with regard to the

CST, must be sure, swift and certain in order to have the appropriate impact on the individual.3

And, if

only this were the case. Punishment is typically just the opposite in so-called modern societies. Our

system of dealing with criminal behavior is a mixed bag of tricks, encompassing a variety of approaches

and strategies, most of which is not successful in implementation.

From the classical perspective, criminals are criminals because that is what they choose to do. They

think about it, look for opportunities, assess the consequences, make plans and then they do it. Criminal

behavior is the result of choosing what is in the best interest of the criminal for selfish personal gain.

This naturally collides with any of the PST versions that would immediately complain about all the

hardships the criminal experienced through life. Attacking the CST view, the argument probably would

suggest that there are things outside the criminals control that predisposes him or her to commit the

criminal actions. Sometimes, we even blame the victim so that the criminal is relieved of the

responsibility. The challenge for the law enforcement community is to rethink the basic notions of why

people commit crimes. And, while this restructuring of the mind-set is taking place, it is essential to pursue

the skills, tactics, techniques and technology to bring about problem solving processes. Crime and

corruption rips across the fabric of each layer of the community. To strike back against such challenges,

law enforcement must lead the way through visionary strategies and innovative actions. Each member of

the organization must be utilized more efficiently and effectively. Law enforcement administrators must

transform into daring leaders as opposed to just managers of police organizations. In addition, as agency

chief administrators, they need to stop pandering to special interests and trying to remain political

correct. Law enforcement criminal intervention strategies are not for the faint of heart. Bold, daring

and imaginative police actions that are clever and creative are needed in every aspect of police operations.

Police leaders need to focus on giving their officers every possible training, tool, technology and so on,

to do their job as professional real-world practitioners. Successful agencies will invest significant resources

into their patrol force as the first line of defense to interdict criminal behavior. Forensic sciences will also

play a key role in the modern successful police agency, along with training and education of the officers

and staff. Criminals commit crimes because that is what they do. Of course, there are numerous excuses

for such behavior that many so called experts would assert. Yet, behind every criminal act, there is a

criminal with unique motives for doing the act. Criminals leave physical and psychological clues behind

every time they commit a criminal act. The skill of the art is to figure out the clues. Follow the evidence.

3 Jeffery, C.R., Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, (Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, 1971) pages 18 33);


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Chapter 2: Assessing the Criminal Mind Why People Commit Crimes:

Profiling has become the latest fad affecting the criminal justice system. Such efforts are not perfect beall and end all techniques for solving crimes and identifying criminals. Assessing criminal behavior is

simply one more tool or weapon, in the law enforcement inventory. There is no magic or special voodoo

that goes along with such endeavors. Combined with other law enforcement strategies and tactics, such

assessment assists in helping define the investigative process a little further.

More to the point though, people commit crimes because they want. So, now with that issue settled, its

time to focus on whom they are, what they do, and how do we catch them. Humans propagate violence in

various forms, from the mental to the physical, as well as anything else the mind can conjure. Some

control their violence potential and other do not. People experience a range physical and psychological

abuse. Yet, the vast majority does not commit heinous acts of deviance from what is normally expected in

modern society. Given the state of human nature, anything is possible. No matter what, people are capable

under certain circumstances of committing the most horrendous acts imaginable. The objective then, is to

devise ways, means, tactics and techniques to interdict at some point in the criminals activities. The

proper training (education and skill development), tools, tactics, techniques are essential for modern law

enforcement operations. And, the investigator, in the application of his or her capabilities, must be

prepared to deal with the most bizarre possibilities. Those who do not control themselves may carry out all

manner of depravity against other people, animals and objects. The ones who choose to become criminals

adapt a style to their handiwork and develop patterns that go along with their motives. They plan, practice

and implement a strategy of action designed to coincide with their own particular uniqueness and thinking

patterns. Criminals act out their fantasies and predilections through a variety of expressions. These may be

written upon the crime scene template. Minute traces of the perpetrators presence may have been left

behind as an indelible impression. The initial trek toward an assessment in the aftermath of a criminal act

begins with arriving on the scene and thinking. From this point, collecting and analyzing evidence, as part

of the crime scene development protocols, continues the process. It is a continuum of a mind-set devoted

to problem solving in a very real sense provides the basis for a hypothesis or theory of the case. Naturally,

protection of the crime scene is of the utmost importance in all cases. And, no small piece of the puzzle is

too insignificant to be overlooked, as long as you distinguish its relevance. The investigator tries to apply

the full-range of his or her mental faculties and sensory awareness to visualize and think through the series

of events that took place. Information gathering becomes crucial to fact finding. The basis for developing

the investigative foundation falls upon the classic basic formula of the 5WHAT, or Who, What, Where,

When, Why, How and Action Taken. As such, this formative development receives its building blocks

from an information development process which includes information from: Interview/Interrogations,

Identification, and Instrumentation (forensics, criminalistics, etc). The instrumentation aspect is important.

Dont misunderstand the intention here. Scientific aspects of criminal investigation are critical. Yet, they

are only as good as the investigators who use or other employ the unique range of forensic tools.


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Nothing should ever replace the value of creative and critical thinking skills that require a significant

degree of logic. Such efforts must also be tempered by an appreciation for the extreme possibilities of

bizarre human behavior. Good cops should know that people, given the right conditions andcircumstances, are constrained only by the stretches of the imagination.

A cause-effect relationship of realistic certainties is structured in a flexible thinking format. The

investigative mind-set must be open to new information and follow a logical framework of thought and

action. In order to discern the chain of events and ultimately solve the case, a rigid close minded thinking

capacity must be avoided. In short, logical deduction (or, abduction if one prefers) in every case at hand,

should be supported and reinforced by competent forensic analysis. To this, add well-trained and

experienced skill levels. Plus, all available resources must be provided to ensure discovery of evidentiary

facts to prove the truth. In short, problem-solving must be ensured by a wide-range of supportive

infrastructure resources. Investigative skills and abilities must be advanced through effective education and

training of an ongoing nature. We can learn something every day.

At the basic recruit law enforcement and correctional training level, entry level officers should be

instructed in a wide range of criminological issues. They should be taught about the various aspects of

criminal behavior and the various associated criminological issues. Yet, warm and fuzzy feel-good

curricula have failed to advance the professionalism so greatly needed in the field of criminology. Political

agendas have aided in the dumbing down of the educational and training process. What we often find in

the realm of training can be characterized as a kinder and gentler approach to dealing with criminological

issues. Criminal behavior cannot be adequately assessed or dealt with, unless first responders receive

highly advanced training components, coupled with exceptional resources. Simply stated, we get what we

pay for. And, at the present time, from a training perspective, we are not advancing very fast. Instead, we

might be going backwards. The field of forensics, along with a few good cops, may be the only aspects

that keep our criminal justice system from completely collapsing. Collectively, on a national scope, we

simply do not cultivate a high level of professional expertise in the field of criminology. Law enforcement

is one of the most important pillars of the three main branches of the field (crime prevention, penology and

the law). But, academia (the college environment) mainly teaches theory and not practical application. A

significant number of clinicians, special interest groups, bureaucrats and politicians have adversely

affected the law enforcement training and education process. Often, we see a predilection toward quantity

versus quality in recruitment and retention of competent personnel. And, many police academies fail to

insist upon high standards for admission. As police administrators, we often say what is politically

correct, as opposed to what really needs to be said about criminals and the crimes they commit. At the

same time, as cops, we often accept things at face value, without looking further at patterns of behavior

and lifestyle choices. Sometimes, we are quick to accept the latest psychological or sociological

interpretation of why someone did a certain act. We do this without pursuing seriously probing questions

beyond the news reports. This broad generalization is directed toward present and subsequent generations

(post baby boomers) entering the field of law enforcement (criminology).


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Do not misconstrue what has just been said. There are many outstanding, dedicated and hard-working

veteran street cops and detectives valiantly serving the public at the state and local levels. Their tireless

and faithful efforts prove the value of experienced local law enforcement officers who are the realpractitioners of the field of criminology.

The neat scientific surgical precision found within the walls of the crime lab, or the medical examiners

office, do not work the same way in dealing with people outside a controlled environment. From a

criminological perspective, viewed from a human behavior standpoint, the scientific method, or models

proposed by alleged clinicians often cloud the issues related to criminal activity. A so called scientific

approach, such as the excitement over profiling, can only provide helpful guidelines as working tools to

other strategies in the investigative process. A good investigator will prefer to rely on experience,

education, training and skill level. These aspects, coupled with practiced intuitive ability offer greater

possibilities in problem solving and decision-making. For instance, what do your senses tell you? What

does your intuitive decision making system reveal? Important questions need to be asked over and over

until the pieces fit together. For instance, we want to know: What the evidence says (today, tomorrow, the

next day, the day after that, on so on)? What the victims/witnesses/complainants say? What the suspects

say? What is the truth and how do we know? Whose got the information and how do we get it? This goes

on an on as part of a process whereby we think in a rational manner to asses the range of variables relevant

to the issues at hand. In this regard, the following checklist is only suggestive and not all inclusive.

Modus operandi or method of operation is highly personal and selective for each person. To assess the

potential for criminal behavior, we need only look into our own minds. Criminals are people just like us.

If we look in the mirror, we can discern what criminals are thinking. The only difference between the so

called law abiding citizen and the criminal, is the law abiding citizens decides not to commit a crime.

In discerning an approach to the assessment of criminal behavior a few key factors may be considered:4

Basically, people commit crimes for personal gain, either for mental or material reasons; Personal relationships Background history and personal sketch assessment Business interests Commercial interactions Political associations Community activities Emotional-mental proclivities and inclinations, beliefs/philosophical pursuits Combination of Risk versus Gain, Opportunity, Desire and Ability

There is no single best process of reasoning so long as the correct results are achieved; Deductive versus Inductive Reasoning Logic, reason and rationality Alternative logical approaches Critical Thinking/Practical Assessments

Every possible relevant aspect of the incident must be critically reviewed: Time, date, location, persons involved Reality versus Fantasy Relationships, psychological history, Love or Money Fact or Fiction Physical evidence circumstantial evidence forensic applications

4 OHara, C. E., Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation, Sixth Edition, (Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, Publisher, 1994) pages 22-23;


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An eye for detail is essential to the investigative continuum; Observations and perceptions

Intuitive decision making Critical thinking skills Interviews and Interrogation Body language assessment, verbal skills, word usage,

facial expressions, eye movements, etc.

Laborious, methodical and comprehensive collection of evidentiary data; Crime scene searches physical evidence Complainants, witnesses, victims and suspects Information Identification Instrumentation Forensic analysis bag it, tag it, analyze it Tools Tactics Techniques Proper planning prevents poor performance

Methods of Operation Modus Operandi Habits Techniques Behaviors Personality and behavioral descriptors Crime scene arrangement Witness, Victims testimony Background of victim and type of crime committed Physical evidence available

Why people commit crimes is a fundamental question for the investigative process. Once we know the

why, then we can probably uncover the who. Some simplistic approaches to the techniques of profiling

tend to be vague, general and very broadly interpreted. What is necessary for practical law enforcement is

a process that is more specific and definitive. This involves a comprehensive reconstruction of the criminal

incident that took place. The focus of solving the crime should revolve around what happened at the

scene, who was involved and what was the target. People do things for a reason. Discerning what the

reason was is crucial. There can always be hidden motives, personal agendas, and complex relationships.

Sometimes, this process is call crime scene reconstruction. And, it goes hand in hand with crime

analysis. Or, the assessment of patterns, behaviors and techniques used to commit similar types of crimes.

In this case, the term profiling might be a misnomer. What should occur in the investigative process

should be a blending of crime scene reconstruction, forensic analyses, and criminal behavior assessment.

This becomes a multi-faceted continuum in which deductive reasoning attempts to collate as much data as

possible. From such reasoning, it becomes probable that a profile of the perpetrator can emerge.

Deduction strives toward an understanding of physical evidence, behavioral activities and what happened at

the scene of the crime. Why a person commits a specific type of crime depends on their internal

motivation. Plus, the person also possesses certain abilities to commit a certain type of crime. Abilities,

coupled with opportunities, become the basis for the commission of the crime.


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Understanding the criminals motives concerns an analysis of his or her behavior before, during and

after the crime. Thought processes, decision-making capacity and implementation strategy are part of this

deductive process. The why of criminal behavior can be found in the inner structure of the human mind.As a way to understand and discern the proclivities of such inclinations, the discipline of criminology has

evolved. Criminology, by necessity, is an interdisciplinary field of study. This realm of balancing theory

and practice with the real world draws from many areas within the so called social sciences. Criminology

is pseudo-scientific. It is called pseudo-scientific because it is not scientific in the same sense as the

natural sciences, such as physics. Therefore, the answer to the question why do people commit crimes is

based on subjective conclusions. We will never know the ultimate answer. However, we can come close

when we focus on the criminal and his or her behavior. The study of criminal behavior requires real world

experience, support by education, training and wisdom. Criminology is a blending of both art and science

to the extent probable in dealing with human behavior. Solutions to acts of criminal behavior remain pretty

basic in terms of approach. That is, much hard work and critical thinking are required in order to be an

effective sleuth in the realm of practical criminology.

The field of inquiry known as criminology only makes efforts to replicate the realm of science. And,

when it comes to applying scientific methods to criminal behavior things become spurious and confusing.

Science is greatly helpful in the more narrow application of forensics to crime scenes and the analysis of

physical evidence. Yet, when it comes to human behavior, motives, intentions and actions, criminology

falls short of scientific accuracy. In terms of hard fixed rules of predictability and certainty, the reasons

why people do things remains elusive. Sociology, psychology, penology and so forth, can only offer

tentative guidelines. These endeavors offer a useful mix to the field of criminology. They are at best art

forms attempting to apply scientific methods. But, they remain sometimes deceptive and misguided in their

attempts to predict criminal behavior. Never underestimate the ability of academicians to make up a good

story. Academia can foster a myriad of misguided theoretical constructions.

Success in dealing with criminal behavior requires competent use of the criminology practitioner. He or

she is actively engaged in the law enforcement or corrections realm. It is from the posture of experience

and reality in dealing with human problems that answers will be found. The police officer or the

corrections officer deals with criminal problems every day. He or she confronts a range of sociological and

psychological issues in his or her daily encounters with people. The police officer is on the cutting edge of

realistic criminological perspectives. This is the realm of the true or authentic criminological practitioner.

Most academicians have never seen the inside of a patrol car, or worked in a jail. Police officers operate in

a mobile field office of inquiry, where knowledge, skill, and competence are tested every day. It is not the

narrow world of academia, but the concrete jungle of mortal combat, where life and death struggles can be

deadly. They engage the decision-making process in a matter of seconds. This is a domain of deviant

opportunity sub-worlds. There exists here a diversity of cultural experiences and modes of expression.

The police officer deals with a host of criminological issues every day. Most theorists do not. Within this

world, law enforcement officers come to realize people make conscious decisions.


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People willfully disobey authorized sanctions of society in general and the community in particular.

Criminals weigh the balance between gain and risk, and subsequently decide a course of action contrary toaccepted standards of civil conduct. From the beginning to the end of their careers in life, the criminal

makes a series of choices. Such decision-making becomes the basis of criminal behavior. And, such

actions taken become the basis for the existence of crime in our society. The choices that criminals make

are free-will exercises of thought and action. People at each level of the socioeconomic structure of society

make choices. Crimes and criminal behavior exist at all levels of society. Criminal behavior spans the

spectrum from property crimes to crimes against other people. At some point in time, a person plans the

nature and extent to which he or she will commit a crime. The orientation to criminal behavior balances

pain versus pleasure in the calculation of the act to be carried out. Education, knowledge, personal

preference, opportunity, ability and gain potential enter into this mix of criminal decision-making. Once a

target is selected, they freely choose to commit these acts contrary to what society has established as lawful

behavior. Moral, ethical and legal constraints are violated in order to satisfy personal gain issues. Such

behavior runs against what the federal, state and local governments have specified in respective statutes and

ordinances. Aside from the normal affinity for personal self-interest, criminals tend to unleash their inner

selfishness to a significant degree. While such childhood preoccupations are part of the growing process,

carrying them over into adult like is potentially dangerous to others. In the end, we all decide to submit to

some form of authority, belief system and other means of behavioral control. People who commit crimes

have decided they dont have to follow specific rules.5

In order to discover the ways and means by which a person violates the rules, careful attention to detail

is required. It means being able to see, observe and perceive the circumstances involved in the crime

committed. The process entails the capacity to understand the subtle inconsistencies in human behavior.

All people are dysfunctional at one level or another. We all hide behind a mask of deception. Peering

behind that mask calls for exceptional capabilities on the part of the investigator. The practical aspects of

criminology focus on what does and does not work in the real world. Such efforts also concern the ability

to read people, places and things. This relates to their connectivity to the chain of events that transpired. In

order for the crime fighters, or the practitioners of criminology, to be successful, there must be a solid

political and resource commitment for such endeavors.

Practical real world oriented criminology focuses on how to control, detect and solve to occurrence of

criminal activity. Investigations should become more of a why done it as opposed to a who done it.

Knowing the why sets the stage for solution. Practitioners seek the ways, the means and the resources to

get the job done. Theories of criminology must extend beyond the classrooms of academia to the real-

world applications. This is where they either work or they dont. Understanding the why of human

behavior leads to who did it.

5 Peck, M. S., People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil, (New York: Simon and Shuster, 1983) pages 77-78;


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Simply stated, people commit crimes because they thing they can get away with it. They leave

signatures on the crime scene, physically, mentally and emotionally. Criminals cannot hide their behavior

for very long. Crimes are committed by people who make choices. Choices go a long way towardexplaining motives and intentions. The choices they make to commit a crime are for the purposes of

personal gain at the expense of others. The commission of a crime is not based on ones heritage, national

origin, genetics, social status, physical or psychological state of mind or any other such notions. Criminal

behavior is an expression of personal desire, inclination and ability. Ability often relates to education.

White collar criminals tend to be better educated in relation to the types of crimes they commit. That is, the

higher the academic education, coupled with the environmental circumstances, the more sophisticated the

crime is likely to be (e.g. embezzlement, fraud, etc). They commit crimes because they do not have the

courage to face the realities of everyday living. The suggestions that crime is the result of some physical

type, psychological type, social disorganization or class struggle, harkens backward to misguided

notions of human behavior. Those centuries are long past. Such are non-scientific theoretical constructs,

which cannot be proved beyond all the variables of possible consideration. They basically become the

SWAG method of human behavior a Scientifically Wild Ass Guess. At best, they are speculations of

wishful thinking. By contrast, people commit acts of criminal behavior basically because they want to

commit crimes. They commit crimes as a function of their own ability, desire and opportunity to become

involved in criminal behavior. Like everyone else, criminals exercise their own free will.

Criminals think, therefore, they are. Or, we all think, but most of us control ourselves. The modern

attempts to rehabilitate the criminal have only led to the weakening of the law enforcement

infrastructure. Weakening the criminal justice system has only made it more difficult to have something

called justice in a system. Efforts to minimize or otherwise mitigate a crime has profoundly affected the

crime fighting efforts of the practitioners, the cops and corrections officers. All too often crime control

strategies have been influenced by theoretical interferences. This comes mostly from outside the

practitioners realm. Sometimes, agency administrators, pretending to be politicians, acquiesce to the

rehab the victim-criminal mindset. Some pander to special interest groups. Crime prevention suffers.

By contrast, crime fighting should focus on prevention, apprehension, prosecution and subsequently re-

education. It should direct an attack from the posture of the rule of law, as opposed to the rule of excuse.

Law enforcement agencies should be a powerful striking force against criminal behavior. Unfortunately,

local governments dont always want to fund the law enforcement function at sufficient levels. Key points,

when addressing issues of motive, include, but are not limited to, the following: criminals commit crimes

because that is what they chose to do; criminals are not victims of society; criminals are morally

responsible for their actions; there is such a thing as free will and freedom of choice; criminal acts should

be well defined by statute; ethics and morality should be valued greatly; punishment should be quick,

efficient, effective and precise.6

6Jeffery, C., Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, (Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, 1971), pg 33;


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The grim reality of what is a good person and what is a bad person is sometimes deceptive. Everyone

shares a commonality of potential criminal behavior. Our thoughts are not always known to others. Our

personal desire for some kind of gain may never be recognized outside our own thinking. Thinkingprecedes the actions. Peoples motives are hidden. Each day, we display at least two kinds of faces. One

is our inner self. The other is what we show on the outside. There may even be other aspects of ourselves

not showing. Personal agendas are not fully revealed. We get only partial glimpses of the true person at

any given time. All of us hide behind a mask of who we really are on the inside. The mystery is through

the looking glass in the reflection of our lives. Part of the reflection is the motive for the things people do.

Intentions guide implementation of various actions, which eventually touch the lives of others. In

touching others with certain acts, crimes may be committed. Personal boundaries may be violated in rough

and ruthless ways. Criminal behavior affects all of us in one way or another. We tend to think about such

possibilities in our daily encounters. On occasion, our thinking is simplistic. At other times, it may be more

complex. Victimization may be real and frightening. Most of us, outside the criminal justice system, may

have limited insights or conceptions about the nature and extent of criminal victimization. But, we tend to

assess our potential victimization in different ways. On different levels, we may consider the possibility of

fraud, theft, vandalism, burglary, robbery, terrorism, rape, and murder. Various criminal acts may cross our

minds from time to time. We may think about our potential victimization depending on where we are, what

we are doing or where we are going. Motives are at work constantly.

From a law enforcement perspective, strategic tactics require long term crime control planning. To

this, must also be proactive organizing, implementing and containing efforts that effectively deal with

criminal behavior. The tactical focus must include a broad range of artful and scientific activities at

multiple levels of delivery. Criminal sanctions must be executed with sure and certain swiftness by

shrewdly clever police personnel. Criminal behavior will not be seriously interdicted by focusing on the

person rather than the incident. Nor will it be dealt with by hiring under trained, undereducated and

unskilled personnel. High standards of admission, recruitment, training and so forth are essential in the

criminal justice field.

There are too many spurious ideas and nebulous notions about why people commit crimes. Likewise,

there are too many preoccupations with quick and easy solutions. Too often, fads fuel fictitious follies

about crime solutions. Profiling and psychic detectives are a few of these notions. The hard work of

serious policing often goes unnoticed by entertainment orientation news media. As such, tools, tactics and

techniques get lost in sound bites. Too often, such antics only reward the criminal and punish the victims

over again. High profile proactive strategies that are efficient and effective are more important than the so-

called rehabilitation efforts. Instead, a more practical approach is the realization of the criminals self-

centered behavior. Realistic understanding of why people commit crimes is vital to crime prevention

efforts. Practical criminology is more concerned with calculated manipulation of the skills and resources

necessary for reducing criminal opportunities. Real world oriented criminologists seek to explore those

workable actions required to get the job done.


19/19


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excerpt from psycho sleuth

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