Page:FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 55 (12).pdf/13

 "Criminal profiling uses the behavioral characteristics of the offender as its basis." experienced detective. The following case will illustrate this point.

During the fall of 1982, an urban Midwest police department detective telephonically contacted the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy asking for some assistance. The detective described in detail the rape/murder of a 25-year-old white married woman. The detective advised that the apartment where the victim was killed had been ransacked, but they were unable to determine at that time if anything was taken by the killer. In view of the fact that many leads were still outstanding and information con­cerning the autopsy, laboratory exami­nations, background of the victim, previously reported neighborhood crimes, etc., was still pending, the detective was advised that a profile could not be provided at that time. After approximately 1 week, the detective for­ warded the necessary information to the local FBI field office criminal profile coordinator. After reviewing the case for completeness, the profile coordinator forwarded the materials to the Behavioral Science Investigative Sup­port Unit at the FBI Academy for analysis.

Color 8 x 10 crime scene photo­graphs re-created the crime and re­vealed that the victim was killed in her living room, with no evidence of any struggle or defense attempts by her. The victim was lying face up on the liv­ing room floor. Her dress was raised up over her hips exposing her genital area, and her panties were pulled down to her knees. The murder weapon (hammer) belonging to the victim was found in kit­ chen sink, and it appeared that the vic­tim's blood had been washed off the hammer by the subject. Crime scene photographs further revealed that the subject opened dresser drawers and closet doors. Investigative reports in­ dicated the victim's husband advised that jewelry belonging to victim was missing.

The victim and her husband had lived in the apartment for approxi­mately 6 months, and neighbors and associates reported they were friendly and quiet and kept to themselves. The medical examiner concluded in his December 1986 / 11