What is the difference between inductive and deductive profiling methods?
Inductive profiling gathers information based on statistical data regarding past similar criminal offenses, past crimes and past offenders. This approach rests with the premise that if certain crimes committed by different individuals are similar, then the offenders must also share share some type of common personality traits (Holmes & Holmes, 2009). In addition, this approach does not require the profiler to have any specific knowledge or training in human behavior and can generally develop a profile rather quickly. The deductive approach to profiling is slightly different in that the focus is on the crime scene itself and evidence left at the scene by the offender. This approach also focuses on victimology (studying the victim – daily habits, routines, places frequented, etc.) because the more you know about a victim the more you know about the offender. This process is usually extremely slow due to the need to carefully study and examine forensic reports, victimology, etc. ~Marisa H
