Scenario
You are a criminal profiler with your state law enforcement organization. You will be presenting information on the criminal background of a select serial killer during a conference where local law enforcement officers will be present. You are to provide a full workup of the selected criminal in order to provide a 2–3-page summary to each of the participants at the conference.
focus on serial killers. Select one of the criminals from the list below.
An important part of the job of a criminal profiler is to use criminological theories and evidence to create a profile of criminals such as serial killers. An example of this is the case of accused Long Island Serial Killer, Rex Heuermann. Profilers were relatively accurate in their description of this serial killer more than ten (10) years before he was apprehended.
Please review the following article - Serial Killer Rex Heuermann.
In addition to reading the article above, please take a moment to listen to the experience of your Strayer CRJ Instructor, Edward Spangler. Ed was instrumental in apprehending another serial killer (Harrison "Marty" Graham) while employed as a rookie police officer with the Philadelphia Police Department. Please click on this link to listen – Ed Spangler's Experience with a Serial KillerLinks to an external site. | TranscriptLinks to an external site.. [Video]
Serial Killers
Once you have selected the criminal you will profile from the list below, use the Criminal Justice Resource Collection Database to begin searching for credible, relevant, and appropriate sources to support your writing. (In addition, you may use Google for reference search purposes.)
Ted Bundy
Dennis Radar
John Wayne Gacy
Sam Little
Jeffrey Dahmer
David Berkowitz
Gary Ridgeway
Wayne Williams
Aileen Wuornos
Kristen Gilbert
Instructions
Complete the following sections of the Week 7 Assignment Template Download Week 7 Assignment Template. The assignment should be 2, not including the cover page or the source page. Please use complete sentences when completing the information below:
Identification and Background.
Identify the criminal and key details from sources about their background that relate to their criminal behavior.
Criminal Behavior
Describe the crime(s) including how the crime was committed, where it occurred, and how many victims were involved.
Theory and Rationale.
Identify the theory that applies to the offender and their criminal behavior. Provide a clear rationale for the selection of the theory.
In order to complete the assignment, you must use at least three scholarly sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.
Theory and Rationale
The most applicable theory to explain Dahmer's behavior is the Neuropsychological Theory. This theory suggests that biological factors, such as brain abnormalities, can contribute to criminal behavior. In Dahmer's case, it is believed that he may have suffered from frontal lobe damage, which could have impaired his judgment, impulse control, and empathy. Additionally, his childhood experiences of isolation and trauma may have contributed to his deviant behavior.
Other theories, such as Social Learning Theory and Psychodynamic Theory, could also be applied to understand Dahmer's actions. However, the neuropsychological theory provides the most compelling explanation for his specific behaviors, particularly his fascination with death, dismemberment, and necrophilia.
By examining the psychological and biological factors that contributed to Dahmer's criminal behavior, we can gain a better understanding of serial killers and develop strategies to prevent future acts of violence.
Serial Killer Profile: Jeffrey Dahmer
Identification and Background
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer, often referred to as the "Milwaukee Cannibal," was an American serial killer, sex offender, and necrophile. Born on May 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dahmer's childhood was marked by feelings of isolation and alienation. He struggled with alcohol abuse and developed a fascination with death and dismemberment.
Criminal Behavior
Dahmer's crimes were characterized by a pattern of murder, dismemberment, and necrophilia. He lured young men and boys back to his apartment, where he would drug and kill them. After the murders, he would engage in necrophilic and cannibalistic acts, often dismembering the victims' bodies and preserving body parts. He would store these remains in his apartment, sometimes using them for sexual gratification.