Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiling Helps Solve True Crimes

by Brian Innes, Lucy Doncaster

Criminal Profiling is a wide-ranging, authoritative history of this fascinating subject, from the first efforts at physical profiling to today's computer-generated geographic mapping techniques.
 
Is there such a thing as a criminal type? Are criminals born genetically predisposed to commit crimes or are they fashioned by their circumstances? Physicians, psychologists, and criminologists have been asking these questions for many centuries without finding a definitive answer. Criminal Profiling is packed with intriguing case histories that demonstrate the variety, sophistication, and effectiveness of this fascinating science. The book includes chapters on the search for the criminal personality, early criminal profiling, and the latest theories of criminality, and features the stories of serial killers Ted Bundy, Peter Sutcliffe, and Andrei Chikatilo, among many others.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Psychology, Nonfiction, Science

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2022

Reviews

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read . Showing the history mixed with real life examples. Could have done with a bit more detail in places as sometimes casestudies were summarised to illustrate a point. This felt that it was aimed at both academics and everyday people with a interest. There was good balance although a lot of case studies used were wellnown.
This was a pleasure to read. Good short chapters which flowed together.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Criminal Profiling is a nonfiction book covering a wide range of topics involving the development, use and real cases application of psychological profiling. This was a fascinating read. The writing was great in the way that is engrossing, very informative without being info dumping. It mentioned how certain technicles came about, there uses and how they were used in real cases. The cases that were used as examples in the book really pulled me in, to look at how some of these individuals' minds work, while everything is not 100 percent accurate it is impressive what these individuals have accomplished. It has history, science, and is very informative. I recommend this book if you're interested in any of those topics listed, please check this book out.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Criminal Profiling was an interesting read. I liked how it charted the history of the development of the field from the early days to the present, incorporating overviews of real cases along the way. It was nicely presented and illustrated throughout, the images a worthwhile counterpart to the text, which also helped to avoid the book feeling too much of a heavy-going analytical work. As such, I believe it will appeal to both more dedicated students of psychology and also interested laypeople. It gets four stars from me.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellen Bossink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been interested in policework and especially the investigations and profiling. Unfortunately I never went to the police school. This book is great. What an asset. A lot of cases supported with explanations and more than 200 pictures and was very interesting to read.
Criminal profiling is still a little unknown but if you think about it, it is really scary that a book like this was written with so many cases! Thanks netgally and publisher/authors for the arc in Exchange for an honest review.

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiling Helps Solve True Crimes by Brian Innes; Lucy Doncaster
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 15 June 2024

"Criminal Profiling" proved to be a captivating and enlightening read. What stood out to me was its comprehensive exploration of the field's evolution, spanning from its nascent stages to contemporary practices. The book adeptly weaves together historical insights with detailed case studies, offering a vivid portrayal of how criminal profiling has developed over time. By interweaving real-life cases such as those involving Ted Bundy, Peter Sutcliffe, and Andrei Chikatilo, the author not only illustrates theoretical concepts but also provides a human dimension to the subject matter.

The presentation of the book was particularly commendable. It struck a balance between scholarly depth and accessibility, making complex ideas understandable without sacrificing academic rigour. The inclusion of 200 photographs was instrumental in enriching the narrative, providing visual cues that complemented and enhanced the text. This blend of textual and visual elements not only engaged the reader but also facilitated a deeper understanding of the discussed methodologies and their practical applications.

Moreover, the book's approachability extends its appeal beyond academia. While it caters to dedicated students of psychology by delving into theoretical frameworks and empirical studies, it also caters to general readers who have a keen interest in the workings of the criminal mind and the techniques used to analyse it. The accessible writing style and the judicious use of illustrations ensure that the book does not feel overly dense or inaccessible, thereby inviting a broader readership.

In conclusion, "Criminal Profiling" earns high praise for its informative content, engaging narrative style, and thoughtful presentation. It succeeds in bridging the gap between academic rigour and popular appeal, making it a valuable addition to both scholarly libraries and personal reading lists alike.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Amber Books Ltd | Amber Books, and the authors, Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed in honour of a 2024 e-book version, this is the 2022 hardback (with just as many typos and printing errors, unfortunately) – which itself was a complete rejig of an earlier book by the late Brian Innes. It's a compelling book – dipping into many interesting true crime cases, both commonly spoken of and the less heard about, but always keeping a foot in the science side of things. Here is the history (it is more or less fully chronological) of scientific profiling both sides of the Atlantic, and the search for the psychology of the mass murderer. From the basics of Freud up, we see people try and work on the mentality of serial killers, so they can be understood, tracked more easily and caught more quickly – and potentially, although it's not looking likely any time soon, stopped before they've started.

The spread of success stories is quite remarkable, from first to last, when the researchers even knew what sized dog the perp had. But the whole thing can frustrate – as it briefly says, almost as an apology, nobody can really know how many failures there have been, how many embarrassments didn't hit the autobiography shelves, how much has not been reported. This can barely be a critical review of it all, for it very much is on the side of packing the pages out with the birth of this body, the development of that idea, the switch to that computer system… Still, this does not glorify the killer, or revel in the bloodshed, like some true crime books, and it leaves us with a calmer, more knowledgeable hope that these people are always going to be on the losing side. Highly pictorial, it's dealing with it all with an eye to the populist audience, and pretty much succeeding with its intentions throughout.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiling Helps Solve True Crimes” delves into the intriguing world of criminal profiling, exploring the age-old questions: Are criminals born or shaped by their circumstances? Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster present a comprehensive history of this captivating subject, from early physical profiling to cutting-edge computer-generated geographic mapping techniques.

This book weaves together intriguing case studies, featuring notorious figures like Ted Bundy, Peter Sutcliffe, and Andrei Chikatilo. Their stories showcase the variety, sophistication, and effectiveness of criminal profiling.

Explore the quest to identify patterns and traits that define criminal behavior. What drives someone to commit heinous acts?

From intuitive approaches to behavioral evidence analysis, the book covers modern theories that shed light on criminal minds.

Discover how technology has revolutionized crime-solving, using computer-generated maps to pinpoint offenders’ likely locations.

With 200 color and black-and-white photographs, the book brings the subject to life, making it accessible and engaging.

Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast or simply curious about the human psyche, “Criminal Profiling” offers a thought-provoking exploration. 🕵️‍♂️🔍

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 out of 5.0

Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiles Help Solve Crime by Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster is a very engrossing introduction into the many types of Profiling used to track, capture and convict the guilty criminals. So many different types of profiling are examined, providing both the positive and negative areas of each effort. It is surprising to discover how far criminal profiling has evolved in the past century and exciting to see the new techniques just being tested. From psychological profiling to geographical profiling and beyond, this book will keep you reading well past your bedtime. The case studies of how certain profiling styles helped catch famous killers, rapists and more, certainly helps in understanding scientific principles brought to light.

Although some of the terminology was difficult to grasp, each chapter was extremely fun and informative. I highly recommend Criminal Profiling for anyone with an interest in how the world seeks its worst offenders.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Criminal Profiling by Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster is an excellent overview of the history and current state of criminal profiling.

This book is accessible for any reader with an interest in the topic yet does not sacrifice a decent amount of detail. Certainly nowhere near the level of textbooks I've used, which is a good quality since those are designed to inform and shape future practitioners while most readers simply want the information.

The liberal use of case studies helps to illustrate both where profiling has fallen short as well as the many ways it has been shown to be effective. Through the use of a lot of pictures and sidebars, the layout helps, I think, to keep a reader engaged and actively reading.

Highly recommended for those with an interest in the field, whether because of an interest in true crime stories or an interest in human psychology. While not an extensive bibliography it is sufficient to encourage further reading and research for those so inclined.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Jessica Swint]

While I wish this book had been the complete guide on how to profile any crime, it was the next best thing. It gave an overview of the history of profiling and how it came to be so widely used today when it was initially so lowly regarded by law enforcement. This section was filled with case studies because it was ultimately the use of profiles in real cases that lead to its acceptance so it was fascinating to see how thoughts changed and developed. The book also covered different methods of profiling. I never knew there were different methods, so this part was super interesting to me. Finally, there was a section on how profiling is used beyond catching the offender (interviewing, negotiating, etc). I did feel like the book ended a bit abruptly and would have loved for the authors to put their thoughts in about how profiling might be used in the future as I think we will see it expand into crime prevention somehow. While some of this information will probably be review to any true crime enthusiast, the book was interesting and had enough cases that were completely new to me that I enjoyed the read. Even the cases that I was familiar with were presented with a focus on profiling that helped to see them in a new light and give a fresh perspective on the case. Overall a great read!

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Criminal Minds is easily the best fictional series which showcases the FBI's use of behavioural analysis to apprehend criminals and solve crimes.

The path to understanding the criminal mind and why it is violent crimes occur has always attracted the common man.

The XYY chromosome and "supermale" study, although subsequently found to be wrong, is definitely fascinating. I love the thermograph image of the chromosomes.

The information for each segment is short and easy to digest.

•"Six Steps To Arrest" followed by a brief overview of the system used by a select few countries.
•The case studies and profiles of criminals throughout history.
•David Canter's behavioural characteristics of a rapist "map"
•Geographic profiling
•Serial killer categories
•Handwriting experts
•Erik Erikson's 8 life stages of interpersonal crises


*Temporary e-copy received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had a fascination with criminology and forensics since I was young and indeed completed a degree in the latter, so was enthusiastic to read this.
This is a fantastic journey into the criminal psyche, drawing on a wide range of subject matter. The case studies and illustrations complemented the general narrative very well and included some lesser known cases as well as infamous ones. I found this very refreshing and it kept my interest well.
I felt each topic was covered to a good level to satisfy curiosity and also to whet the appetite to inspire further reading. Prior knowledge is not required to read and enjoy this but it is also pitched at a good level to be informative without being condescending to those with prior study of the areas.
Enlightening, thought provoking and compelling, thank you.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an E-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an open and honest review.

I love true crime, and have watched an abundance of TV shows and read a variety of books on the subject.

I really enjoyed this book, it begins by outlining the history of the very first thoughts on criminal profiling.
There are clear, concise chapters splitting various subjects, and as the book progresses we are invited to look into some case studies of criminals such as the Yorkshire Ripper.

I would recommend this book for people maybe wanting a nice introduction into the subject of criminal profiling, without all of the scientific jargon and in depth detail. We have just enough information to introduce us without being too overwhelming.
For those of us who have a bit more knowledge, it’s a nice little concise book, but without the sheer volume of a text book.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

What makes a criminal mind tick? Depending on the type of criminal, it can be a number of things. When it comes to serial killers, it can vary dependent upon multiple factors, but the proclivities of each will dictate which psychological malady they will fall under.
Through these pages, the author takes us through the different serial killers, and gives a quick and concise overview of the cases that they were tied to.

This was a really interesting read. Brian Innes brings an interesting perspective into the criminal mind, and gives a good rundown of the profiling methods that are being used to capture and bring the reign of terror to an end.
If you are interested in true crime, then this is one book that you are going to really enjoy. Dive into this one, and learn a bit more on the criminal profiling side.

[Kristýna · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I want to thank to Netgalley and the publisher for opportunity to review this book.

Criminal profiling is something I got interested during watching show called Criminal minds. It intrigued me that there is someone who can kinda tell based on murder and where the murder took place what kind of person could done it. I would say this book is a good starter when you want to dive into this topic. You'll learn history of criminal profiling, procedures during murder investigations and how they changed during time and so much more.

Overall I enjoyed it and learnt a lot, and I appreciated, it's written with engaging style and the photos inside help illustrated chapters and add something more to it.

[MBAH CHINENYE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I give my honest review I would love to thank Netgalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

The criminal profiling is indeed a great book. I highly recommend it to those studying forensic in school!.
The author's said and I quote:
No criminal case is complete until the offender has been apprehended, tried, found guilty and sentenced.
Brian and Lucy listed different ways which can be used to apprehend a criminal.
They used so many people as case study in the book.
If you have interest in the criminology I highly recommend this book to you.

[zoe Hitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read !
The book explains the different aspects of criminal profiling in an easy to understand way and is peppered with case histories which help to reinforce the key elements of criminology and profiling.
The writing style is concise and kept my interest throughout the case studies both infamous and less so helped to see the theory put into practice .
A great read for anyone interested in true crime or who may want to look further in to the criminological field , a great place to start .
Thanks to NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd.

[morgan e · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you watch "Criminal Minds", you are familiar with the concept of criminal profiling. This book not only covers profiling, but also the history and those who changed the guidelines to what it is today. You will go into a deep-dive of famous crimes and lesser-known crimes and how their profiles matched the perpetrators. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was very informational and intriguing! I can definitely say that I know so much more and I look forward to future publications from these authors!

[Erica Renny · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who studied forensic science and criminology, I loved the insights (and I stress that this only provides insight, nothing concrete) of psychological analysts in developing physical descriptions from analysing the crime scene and the indicative signatures of the crime among other details. While it is very eye-opening towards the assistance that can be gained, you do have to acknowledge the faults and limitations of the practice throughout the text in order to properly understand how helpful it can actually be in criminal investigations.

[Karl Wardlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that describes how criminal profiling has developed over time. It describes how there are different approaches to profiling such as a data driven approach as compared to an intuitive one. There are also a number of case histories throughout the book of various criminals some of whose crimes may well be known.

I knew bits of the information contained within but for the true crime fan there is quite a bit that will interest.

Well worth buying.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow a fantastic and insightful read. Going inside the criminal mind using profiles and technology to match victims and killers. Lots of well known cases to interest anyone with a penchant for criminology. Giving greater respect to FBI and other law enforcement teams around the world and the different methods used throughout history.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I thought the book was about but honestly it was still a good book to read and broke down many things. Might reread and use for my writing when I try and create my own serial killer but I'm unsure. Kept me pulled in. Learmed a bit more things that I didn't know but I honestly like this book.. spoke to the cringe junkie inside of me. Didn't take long to read this.

[Louise Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating! This book is a must read for true crime buffs who find themselves constantly wondering what makes people do what they do and how the experts go about capturing criminals. Detailed and easy to follow, this is a perfect reference piece for people interested in psychology and human nature,

[Kalis +]

This book was very informative!
I really enjoyed that it talked about the history of profiling and how it’s adapted as modern days came to light. I also enjoyed the inclusion of real cases and case studies, this was very informative and i found insanely interesting as i absolutely adore criminal psychology!
This was overall a very fun and informative read.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is chock full of infamous cases. Innes does a fantastic job of summarising these cases and describing how relevant profiling methods were used to identify and apprehend the perpetrator. Commendably, Innes outlines the limits and flaws in criminal profiling. Particularly enjoyed the chapter on Geographic profiling and the general historical summary of this field.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years I enjoyed crime investigation and forensics movies include the famous Criminal Minds. And got chance for learning deeper into this topic really intriguing me.
Criminal Profiling is a nonfiction book about influence of profiling behaviours study in criminology. It provided readers with history of profiling, some true crime study cases, techniques development and good amount of illustration/photographs. The narration was informative but easy to understand. Good pace also keep readers interested, enjoy the pages and interesting enough to do another following read into the topic.
I learning so much from this fascinating book and would love to recommend it to readers who enjoys true crimes, pyschology and criminology study.

Thank you Netgalley and Amber Books Ltd, Amber Books for provided my copy. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fascinating and well researched book about the story of profiling. I learned a lot and I found it entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting read if you are interested in criminal profiling. It recounts the development of the field and techniques used both in the past and present. There are also some cases to provide examples of technical applications.

[Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth going through, I learned a lot while reading and it was never too difficult for me to wrap my head around what was being talked about.

[Ankit Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on this topic I have read. Well done Brian Innes!