Friday, December 22, 2006

Suffolk Serial Killer Case: Latest Update

Stephen Wright the second man arrested in relation to the Suffolk serial killer case has been formally charged with murdering Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell, and Annette Nicholls. Tom Stephens the first man arrested in the case has been released on police bail subject to further inquries.

Murder Suspect Stephen Wright



Media watch



Headline

Girlfriend insists new suspect is innocent as forensic teams search their home.

Published

20th December

Click Here To Read The Guardian Article In Full

Other Links



Click Here For The Latest Police Briefing


Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Suffolk Serial Killer Latest

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls. The 48 year old man was arrested at 5am this morning from his home which is very close to the red light district were the murder victims worked. Tom Stephens who was arrested yesterday remains in custody.

Media watch



Headline

I know I fit the profile - but I also know I'm innocent

Published

19th December

Summary

Intersting article about Tom Stephens, the first man to be arrested in connection with the five murders. The article includes an interview with Jacci Goldsmith who knows Stephens very well and spoke to him shortly before his arrest.

Click Here To Read The Times Article In Full

Other Links



Click Here For The Latest Police Briefing

Tom Stephens MySpace Profile Picture



Thanks to Carey for sending me the link to Tom Stephens MySpace account, which has now been deleted. Sections of the British press have made a great deal out of the fact that Stephens called himself the 'bishop' on his MySpace account.


Monday, December 18, 2006

Suffolk Serial Killer Latest (man arrested on suspicion of murder)

37-year-old Tom Stephens has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls. He is curently in custody and will be questioned by detectives later on Monday.

Murder Suspect Tom Stephens



Stephens was arrested at 0720 GMT on Monday in the village of Trimley, which is close to the A14 road between Ipswich and Felixstowe.



Stephens was interviewed by the Sunday Mirror newspaper yesterday, stating that he knew the girls well and had been interviewed by police four times but claimed he was completely innocent.

Let's hope the police have the right man, however, I think caution needs to be exercised at this stage, particularly given the money newspapers are willing to pay for information and exclusive stories relating to the case.

Links



Click Here For The Latest Police Briefing

Click Here To Read The Sunday Mirror Interview With Tom Stephens



For a free and comprehensive guide to the world of forensic psychology, including several pages dedicated to criminal profiling don't forget to visit the main forensic psychology website.

http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com/






Friday, December 15, 2006

The Psychology of The Suffolk Serial Killer (Latest Update)

As the hunt for the Suffolk serial killer continues and as the case unfolds I will be posting regular updates, particularly in relation to any psychological information or theories. I will also be including links to the latest police briefings and any other credible information sources.

If you would like to be alerted as soon as a new psychology of a serial killer post appears, you can do so by clicking on the orange RSS button (bottom left hand side of the page) to receive automatic content updates in My Yahoo!, Newsgator, Bloglines, and other news readers. Alternatively you can get instant updates via e-mail (see subscribe link, also bottom left hand side of page). You can also bookmark each update by clicking on the social bookmark this link that appears after each post.

Media Watch



Headline

Forensic Psychologists Tackle UK Serial Killer

Published

13th December

Psychology aspect

Contributions from forensic psychologist Keith Ashcroft, Joseph Diaz, a criminologist at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, David Canter, director of the Centre for Investigative Psychology at the University of Liverpool, and Glenn Wilson, an expert in deviant personalities at the Institute of Psychiatry in London.

Key points

Police say that the spate of serial murders in such a short time period is extremely unusual and may be unprecedented.

Keith Ashcroft, a forensic psychologist and expert in sex crimes, based in Edinburgh, UK, speculates that the murderer is deliberately “taunting” police and that the person probably has some massive grudge against the police force, probably even in Suffolk and wants to make the police look inadequate.

Joseph Diaz, a criminologist at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, US, says that the fact the bodies were dumped in water suggests that the killer is of above average intelligence, because he knows physical evidence will be washed away.

David Canter, director of the Centre for Investigative Psychology at the University of Liverpool, says: "His first murder was likely to be a carefully considered attempt to hide some other crime: killing the victim because she was a crucial witness."

Glenn Wilson an expert in deviant personalities at the Institute of Psychiatry in London states that Psychologists can paint a picture of a typical serial killer based on profiles of the limited number of serial killers available, but this will not necessarily be accurate, or help police, It may even lead detectives down a blind alley. In supporting his contention Wilson argues that the police may not even consider a female suspect or be alert for a female accomplice. Wilson cites the infamous murder of model Rachel Nickell in Wimbledon, London, in 1992, where he says police adhered so closely to the psychological profile provided that they became blind to other possibilities and wasted valuable time prosecuting Colin Stagg. He was later acquitted of the murder, which has never been solved.

Wilson claims that geographical profiling would be much more useful than psychological profiling, particularly as in this case the bodies were all found close to the A14, a major road that runs from Felixstowe to the Midlands, skirting Ipswich. The killer probably knows the route well and may live somewhere along its path.


Links



Click Here For The Latest Police Briefing



For a free and comprehensive guide to the world of forensic psychology, including several pages dedicated to criminal profiling don't forget to visit the main forensic psychology website.

http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com/






Forensic Psychology Internship Opportunity



Overview:

The Forensic Panel is pleased to offer remote/distance internships in forensic psychology for writing, research, and various projects to undergraduate and graduate students. Each position represents a unique opportunity to advance students' knowledge and skills in a setting convenient to them that can be managed and supervised from afar.

Interns for The Forensic Panel observe and participate in challenging projects that reward them with transferable experiences to their future careers. The Forensic Panel seeks creative, responsible individuals who would appreciate a challenging, dynamic environment with energetic and bright colleagues, prepared to complement an existing team with ideas and produce result.

Our remote/distance internships offer flexible schedules, allowing students to complete tasks at their convenience with supervision through the telephone and email. Students will learn various stages of the behavioral science expert's involvement in the legal process while completing a variety of duties in forensic psychology that will involve extensive research, creative writing and many other projects that fall into the realm of the current status at The Forensic Panel.

Behavioral science, medical and legal research will consist of literature searches utilizing various databases, including PsychLit, PsycInfo, Medline, and Lexis-Nexus. Additionally, students will be expected to participate in ongoing research projects on various topics in the behavioral sciences, with possible opportunities for future publication.

The ideal candidate: is an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student who is responsible, detail-oriented and self-motivated, with strong research skills and an ability to work as part of a team. Preference will be given to those with writing and publishing experience.

How to Apply:

To be considered, submit your resume, cover letter stating your career goals, interests, and educational accomplishments and at least two writing samples to: Shahawna Kim, Project Manager, at

skim@forensicpanel.com

All materials should be in Microsoft Word Document format or Rich Text format.

Deadlines and Starting Dates:

The practice offers year-round internships. There are no deadlines. Internships are granted on a first-come first-serve basis. Preference is given to students who can commit to the most active participation. Six month internship is preferred.

Compensation:

All internships with The Forensic Panel are on voluntary basis. There is no financial compensation. Class credit can be earned when applicable through your university.

International Students Internships at The Forensic Panel are for permanent legal residents of the United States or Canada.




Thursday, December 14, 2006

The Psychology of a Serial Killer (update)

As the hunt for the Suffolk serial killer continues and as the case unfolds I will be posting regular updates, particularly in relation to any psychological information or theories. I will also be including links to the latest police briefings and any other credible information sources.

If you would like to be alerted as soon as a new psychology of a serial killer post appears, you can do so by clicking on the orange RSS button (bottom left hand side of the page) to receive automatic content updates in My Yahoo!, Newsgator, Bloglines, and other news readers. Alternatively you can get instant updates via e-mail (see subscribe link, also bottom left hand side of page). You can also bookmark each update by clicking on the social bookmark this link that appears after each post.

Media Watch



Headline

KILLER WIL BE THINKING: THE GAME'S ON

Published

13th December

Psychology aspect

Written by Mike Berry Criminal Psychologist From Manchester Metropolitan University

Key points

Psychological Profile

White male, aged 25-40, works odd hours Will live, work, or have holidayed locally May meet prostitutes as part of his work.

Psychological opinions

Police are hunting an exceptionally cold-blooded murderer with the potential to become, in the short term, Britain's most prolific serial killer.

What makes this man particularly terrifying is that he has killed two women before and then gone out with the deliberate intention to strangle.

He may well find killing face-to-face more personal and because he is in control he will find it particularly enjoyable.

Yesterday's discovery of two women's bodies close to main roads was unusual and worrying. It may indicate it was a bit rushed or he might be clever and goading the police.

He could be motivated by a desire for revenge on women or specifically prostitutes for a number of reasons.

He may have left some indication at the scene of the crime or more likely at the spot he disposed of the victims' bodies. If so, I would expect the killer to have left a sign, such as a cross, for the police by now.

The killer seems confident and organised, suggesting he may be an older man. And he also seems comfortable in the red-light district - he could be a regular punter and probably known to them.

He knows the area well - he either works, lives or comes to the area to play. In all five cases he has taken the women's clothes off. Is it that he is worried about DNA or has he taken them as a trophy? I would suspect he has taken jewellery such as rings or earrings.

He has taken great risks to dump the bodies in public because the area has been crawling with police. As a result, I think he is confident and incredibly arrogant to dump two bodies within a few hundred yards of each other for the police to find. It is rare behaviour.

WHY take the risk unless you are showing off? We are talking about a serial killer who will soon be as famous as any of the other serial killers, such as the Yorkshire Ripper.

He is organised and in control without any doubt at all. He has had the nerve to dump at least one body in view of a busy road.

The killer may be confident he will not be caught. He will be fascinated by the coverage of the case on TV and almost certainly watching the police appeals to the public for information and to him to give himself up.

He will believe: "I've been recognised as a killer, the police recognise they are dealing with someone who is good at what they do."' To commit five murders is very skilful. Most killers only ever kill one person. It is rare to kill twice and rare to kill up to five people in separate events in such a short time.

Profiling serial killers is never an exact science but it is possible to draw up a range of characteristics this man is likely to have. He will probably be between 25 and 40 - no one younger would have the maturity to kill five women. He will also be white, because virtually no serial killers are black or Asian. He is passionately driven by a fantasy almost as if he is following a film which is playing in his head.

But he is also calm and organised. He can transport a body in his car, in the boot or back seat covered up. He must have a reliable car because he cannot risk breaking down at night. He probably has a job because of the car and is able to make the girls think it is worth their while to take a ride with him.

If the killer is not single his job requires him to work irregular hours or shifts so that he does not have unexplained absences, particularly at night when the girls go missing. It is unlikely to be a nine to five job. It is quite likely he does not work in an office, factory or building, but on the streets part of the time. These girls work the streets and are good at spotting potentially dangerous customers, but this guy is getting under their radar.

One of the possibilities is that the killer is someone the girls felt comfortable with - a taxi driver, church worker, nurse or even a policeman. He is somebody who does not raise suspicion by being in a red-light district.

Links



Click Here For The Latest Police Briefing

The following link from the BBC has information on each location in the murder trail and a profile of the victims.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6175797.stm




For a free and comprehensive guide to the world of forensic psychology, including several pages dedicated to criminal profiling don't forget to visit the main forensic psychology website.

http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com/






Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The Psychology of the Serial Killer

Visitors from the UK will be aware that the news story currently gripping the country concerns the murder of several prostitutes, promting fears that a serial killer is on the loose. To date five bodies have been found near Ipswich over the past fortnight. The bodies of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and and Anneli Alderton, were all found in rural locations around Ipswich between the 2nd and the 10th of December. On the 12th of December two more bodies were found which are being formally identified today. Police strongly suspect that the bodies will prove to be the missing prostitutes Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.



Since the story broke a number of criminal psychologists, forensic psychologists and other behavioural scientists have commented on the case.

Dr Ian Stephen a psychologist working with police on the current investigation stated that The killer is losing control and there is a compulsion taking over, he also claims that the recent deaths may be part of a larger killing spree, adding; "What may be an issue is that when he starts running out of prostitutes not becoming available, he will see any woman who's out on the street at night on their own as a prostitute and will target them as a possible victim."

Writing for the BBC Dr Stephen said the suspect was probably male, white, in his late 20s, 30s or 40s, and is someone who probably had been let down by women in his past.

"He maybe had a mother who has let him down, or a mother who has abandoned him," he added. "In some sense he may have idolised women and then they let him down." He also notes that the killer may be on "some kind of Christian mission" believing he is "clearing the world of prostitutes".

Speaking on BBC radio, Film-maker and criminologist Roger Graef said that he also believes the killer may have had negative experiences with women in the past.

"You can calculate if it's prostitutes that it's somebody who was damaged by a woman, who is ashamed of his own impulses possibly, who is, you know, a religious zealot, who feels that they're corrupting the whole of mankind."

During an interview for the BBC newsnight, Professor David Canter, from the Centre for Investigative Psychology, said that while "almost certainly" the killings were the work of one individual, there were too few details yet to form a detailed profile of the suspect.

"It is difficult to assume anything at the moment without a lot more detailed information," he told BBC Newsnight...because serial murders are rare, it is difficult to generalise about the killers involved..The two or three individuals that come to mind have all been rather disturbed but they have very different characteristics...Some of them found their way into these sorts of murders really from a life of crime where they just become ever more extreme in their criminal acts and in their violence...Some serial killers also have a "bizarre understanding of the nature of women" and may attack women because they believe they are "seductresses who destroy their virtue",

Professor Canter inicated that it was more likely that the case would be solved by using police records to try to discover where the suspect may be based rather than building an "intense personal description of the offender". To read more about the work of Professor David Canter and the Centre for Investigative Psychology just click on the following link.

http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com/david-canter.html

Video Link

To watch a video of consultant forensic psychologist Dr Ian Stephen discussing the case just click on the following link.

Click Here To Watch The Video


Thursday, December 07, 2006

M.S Criminal Justice: Concentration in Forensic Psychology: The University of New Haven

The University of New Haven:



M.S. Criminal Justice: Concentration in Forensic Psychology:

A key objective of the master of science in criminal justice program is the education of men and women planning careers in the field of criminal justice as well as the advanced training and education of those who staff the agencies and institutions of the criminal justice system.
The program stresses a broad understanding of the social and behavioral sciences, the institutions of the criminal justice system and the development of methodological tools and skills.

The courses in the area of social and behavioral science stress the theories of the behavior of man in a social order and the sanctions imposed by different societies to control the social behavior of their members. Courses in the area of criminal justice institutions stress the study of the existing system from the police through the courts, the penitentiaries and the system of probation and parole. The methodological courses expose students to the tools of research and analysis and the contribution of systems analysis to the efficient administration of the criminal justice system.

Concentration in Forensic Psychology

This program, offered jointly between the department of criminal justice and the department of psychology, it is designed for those individuals currently working in the justice system, or those planning a career working with the justice system, who are interested in how psychology and law interact in the administration of justice.

Contact Details

School of Public Safety andProfessional Studies
300 Boston Post RoadWest Haven, CT 06516

Tel: 800.DialUNH (800.342.5864)

e-mail: adminfo@newhaven.edu

Website: Visit The Course Webpage

About New Haven



Click Here To Visit The New Haven Information Guide Website

Click Here To See The New Haven Wikipedia Page

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The USA Forensic Psychology Degree Directory:



A detailed directory of Forensic Psychology Degree courses.

Visit The USA Forensic Psychology Degree Directory



The UK Forensic Psychology Degree Directory:



A detailed directory of Forensic Psychology Degree courses.

Visit The UK Forensic Psychology Degree Directory


Monday, December 04, 2006

Forensic Psychology Newsletter



I've just sent out the December edition of the forensic psychology newsletter. Highlights this month include an excellent article by clinical psychologist and psychology professor Christopher Cronin which provides some much needed clarity in relation to the complex and confusing issue of academic degree accreditation.

As well as Professor Cronin's article there is a review of what's new on the forensic psychology website, the best of the Forensic Psychology Blog Posts and a detailed listing of all the free forensic psychology resources available.

Click Here To Read The Latest Edition of The Newsletter



The Forensic Psychology Store:

A Great Collection of Forensic Psychology Gift Ideas.

Visit The Forensic Psychology Store





Saturday, December 02, 2006

Quality Psychology Blogs



I've just added a new page to the forensic psychology website showcasing the best psychology related blogs on the Internet. Many of the featured blogs cover topics that are directly related to the world of forensic psychology. In addition, you will be able to access lots of well written and very well informed content relating to psychology in general.

Visit The Psychology Blogs Webpage



The Forensic Psychology Store:

A Great Collection of Forensic Psychology Gift Ideas.

Visit The Forensic Psychology Store