ABSTRACT
Criminal investigation has direct comparisons to scientific research: both processes involve data collection, observation, research (investigation), the effort to establish truth, and the search for proof. Occam’s Razor, a basic principle of science, states when multiple explanations for a phenomenon exist, the simplest one should be chosen — a truism also in police investigation. The physical sciences have provided a variety of criminalistic techniques for police investigators, including DNA comparisons, ballistics, fiber analysis, and fingerprinting. It is only logical that the behavioural sciences be exploited as well. This chapter analyzes the investigative difficulties associated with criminal predators and introduces the forensic behavioural science approach. Techniques of linkage analysis and other investigative techniques are discussed. Criminal and geographic profiling are examined in separate chapters.
