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STUDENT REPLIES
DISCUSSION 2
STUDENT REPLY #1 Darlene Milan
One major technological advancement I think will affect
profiling practices in the future is CGT (Criminal Geographic
Targeting). CGT is a computerized geographic profiling
technique used in police investigations of complex serial crimes
(Rossmo, 1995). A criminal analysis technique that uses the
locations of a connected series of crime sites to determine the
most probable area of the offender's residence. According to
Rossmo, geography plays an important role in the offender's
selection of suitable victims, which is why this program will be
important in the future. The CGT produces a map showing
specific details, for example, patrol saturation, grid and area
searches, police information and record systems, outside agency
databases, and zip code prioritization. This process includes
investigation reports, witness statements, autopsy reports, and
psychological profiles (1995). In addition, a detailed
examination of a crime scene, interviews with lead
investigators, crime analysts, and demographic data (Holmes &
Holmes, 2004).
The computer revolution has arrived in our world and is
becoming the next major advance in our arsenal of weapons
against crime. The computer revolution has dramatically
influenced the criminal justice system and is used to track
crimes and criminals. The future of computerized monitoring,
for example, is that of the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA), which uses a tracking system called the Drug Abuse
Warning Network (DAWN). In addition, computerized profiling
may soon help law enforcement personnel define efficiently the
types of personalities associated with violent crimes such as
murder, rape, and serial murder (Holmes & Holmes, 2004).

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References
Holmes, R. M., & Holmes, S. T. (2009). Profiling violent
crimes: An investigative tool (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage Publications, Inc.
STUDENT REPLY #2 Shaquanta Frazier
I think the technology advancements in criminal profiling in the
future and I do believe that GPS and Drones will be more
effective in the future because with GPS it can give the location
of the suspect, it helps with high-speed chases, and it even help
the law enforcement where the victim was last seen through
their cellphones tower and GPS systems. GIS systems help with
keeping track of police vehicles and give the department their
location at any time. Drones give more adapt process of the
suspect and it can help you cover more area to help in locating
the suspect, give you more details of crime and help in finding
evidence that law enforcement missed during their first
investigation. Drones can reach harder places and can be
beneficial to the crime scene.
References:
Legal Technology Advancements for the Criminal Justice
System
Legal technology for the criminal justice system has evolved
and allow them to work more efficiently. Learn more about the
new legal tech.
Practice Panther
Significance Test

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A significance test (hypothesis test) is a formal procedure for
comparing observed data with a hypothesis whose truth is to be
assessed.
- from The Basic Practice of Statistics by
Moore (2006).
Example
After stating the hypothesis, we need to choose a level of
significance. This image shows to complete the significance test
you will need to play the game a 100 times and record the
results.Related Terms
Hypothesis
Test Statistic
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STUDENT REPLIES
DISCUSSION 1
STUDENT REPLY #1 Kristopher Norris
I think that the culture will affect the way profilers operate.
Simply put, if ordinary people are affected or influenced by
something, those studying the culture have an understanding
therein. It would be remiss to ignore the influence pop culture
has on the attitudes and actions of people. This is not to say that
I blame violent movies or video games for the actions of violent
offenders. Violent people will always find a way to be violent.
However, our fascination with the macabre brings serial and
mass murders into the light of hero worship. The idea of being
fascinated with murder is nothing new. From Jack the Ripper
and Lizzie Borden to H.H. Holmes and so many others, society
has always loved to hate or rather hated to love a twisted story.

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The love or hate society has for the macabre influence how we
see those who commit the atrocities. Profilers will understand
that and allow it to build their knowledge in creating through
profiles. Holmes and Holmes (2009) discussed several criminal
theories in chapter four, which included those of crime of
learned behavior and cultural transmission theory. These social
construct theories lead credence to the idea that profilers take
our cultural and social standings into account.
Further warning against the hero status given to prolific killers
is highlighted by Fox and Levin (2005), discussing that this
pillar of praise could give impressionable individuals ideas on
becoming infamous. Fox and Levin make an excellent point that
profilers should consider when creating their profiles.
References
Fox, J. A.. & Levin, J. (2005). America’s fascination with
multiple homicide. In Exterme killing: Understanding serial and
mass murder (pp. 3-14). Sage Publications, Inc.
Holmes, R. M., & Holmes, S. T. (2009). Profiling violent
crimes: An investigative tool (4th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
STUDENT REPLY # 2 Shelley Cloninger
I have always thought that the media and Hollywood glorified
serial killers and the mass shootings that have occurred at
schools and in public places. After reading this week’s Learning
Resources, I would have to say that the “Celebrity Status” given
to these people who have committed horrendous acts is a bit
more out of control than I even realized. I am as guilty as the
next person of watching movies and interviews out of curiosity
that could be considered giving them attention that they do not
deserve. I read in one of the resources that John Gacy made
$100,000 off of the paintings he painted and that his clown art

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is considered collectible (Fox & Levin, 2005). I don’t guess I
personally realized how much the actual killers in some
situations demanded the attention and how they loved the
attention from their crimes until taking this class. Leslie Allen
Williams having a contest for an exclusive interview proves he
saw his crimes as having value to the public (Fox & Levin,
2005). Which I guess was proven to be true. Donald Harvey
had the opportunity to interview with Oprah and his way of
answering questions about his crimes seemed like he was
boastful and even funny to the point that the show decided not
to even air the episode out of respect for the victims and their
families. I knew it Hollywood writers made big bucks making
the movies but never viewed it as glorifying the murderers until
looking from a different perspective.
Reference
Fox J.A., & Levin, J. (2005). America’s fascination with
multiple homicide. In Extreme killing: Understanding serial and
mass murder (pp. 3-14).
STUDENT REPLY QUESTION #3 Shannon Seiler
You bring up an excellent point of desensitization that I was not
considering in my post. I was one of those kids who loved the
Saw movie series and could watch gory deaths without

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flinching. Even now, I read horror-thrillers and watch every
scary movie release without thinking of how those crimes or
deaths would occur in real life. An article from the American
Psychological Association (2013) describes how children
particularly can be desensitized at a young age to violent acts
and behaviors which can impact how they perceive others. How
do you think the expanse of technology will further affect this
phenomenon? Children and adults allike are surrounded by
technology constantly whether it be television, tablets, or
phones. Violence in the news, constant series and references
about "popular" serial or mass murderers can only continue the
pattern of violence constant in our daily lives.
References
American Psychological Association. (2013). Violence in the
media: Psychologist’s study potential harmful effects. APA.