Inside the criminal mind
For many, television shows like Criminal Minds offered a first glimpse into the world of criminal profiling, sparking a fascination that has only grown over the years. From movies, to tv shows to the never ending carousel of true crime podcasts – many true crime fans just can’t get enough! Across the globe, large audiences are captivated by serial killers — what drives them to kill, how they are caught, and what makes them tick. It’s no surprise, then, that many true crime fans dream of stepping into the shoes of a criminal profiler. While becoming a profiler isn’t a realistic goal for most — particularly in Australia, where the practice is used far less frequently than popular media suggests — events like this offer a rare and exciting chance to get as close as possible.
Throughout the night, attendees tried their hand at profiling a real serial killer, working with authentic case materials and investigative techniques. Members were introduced to FBI-style (clinical) profiling, learning the core stages of the profiling process and how offender profiles are built. They also explored statistical and geographical profiling — techniques that, although depicted less on TV, play a significant role in criminal investigations worldwide. Armed with this knowledge, attendees dove into a real case. They analysed victimology, dissected crime scene details, sifted through police briefs, and applied the Crime Classification Manual to develop their suspect profile. Participants compared their profiles against three suspects and decided who best fit the profile they had created. Finally, they were presented with the real offender profile and background, discovering how close they came to identifying the perpetrator.
While the event was designed to provide true crime enthusiasts with an engaging and educational night out, it also shone a light on the critical social issue of gendered violence. Serial killers’ victims are overwhelmingly women, which is a grim reminder of the broader, ongoing crisis of violence against women. A common question to session presenter Dr. Lucy Maxwell was, “what makes women vulnerable to violence from strangers?” Through this question Dr. Maxwell sought answers, committing her PhD research to the subject. Despite the findings and the real fear of the stranger lurking in the shadows, women need to know that the greatest threat to their safety does not come from strangers but from current or ex romantic partners.
That said, there are some strategies women can use to enhance their safety:
Trust your instincts. Women are often socialised to dismiss their gut feelings for fear of seeming “dramatic”, but your intuition is a powerful tool. Listen to it.
Image Credits
Erin Maxwell
