Behavioural Investigative Advice in the U.K. - Emerging Issues

Adam Gregory, Senior BIA Investigative Psychology Conference South Bank University 15 th December 2005

The National Crime and Operations Faculty

Investigation Helpdesk Regional Advisors/ CISOs “Experts” Database SCAS Contact Officers Behavioural Investigative Advisors Geographic Profilers

Operational Support Section

Physical Evidence SCAS

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Behavioural Investigative Advice - A

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Range of Services:

•Crime Scene Assessment •Predictive Profiling •Suspect Priority Matrices •Investigative Suggestions •Interview / Media Strategy •Nominal Pool Generation •Veracity Assessment •Familial DNA Prioritisation

Add Value to Investigation by Supporting SIO Decision Making

How Does a BIA Work?

Consultation Practitioner Experience Reference to Behavioural Databases Behavioural Investigative Advice Relevant Research Mentoring / Peer Review

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Ethics

Behavioural Investigative Advisors in the UK – Key Points:

            BIAs are a routine part of serious crime investigations There are 5 full-time NCOF BIAs and 30+ external BIAs BIAs accessed through NCOF HD / RA – Team approach BIAs are not all the same and provide a range of services BIAs should recognize the limitations of their expertise BIAs should integrate their advice into the investigation Advice is intelligence NOT evidence Decision support NOT decision making Experience, theory, consultation, research & DBs All BIAs now work to a set of working practices All BIAs’ work is subject to audit and evaluation Measures introduced by ACPO in April 2001 5

NCOF BIAs

          Primary service provider of BIA support in U.K.

Full-time staff – Police and Psychology background Rapid deployment and timely written advice 500+ written reports of behavioural advice to major investigations since 2000 120+ Requests for BIA support in 2005 Multi-disciplinary investigative approach Integration of behav. science with related fields Professional links with FBI and European BIAs Emerging role of ‘behavioural liaison’ In-house training and mentorship program 6

NCOF BIAs – Training and Mentoring

   Independent Assessment of Core Competencies Seven Competencies Identified   Interpersonal & verbal communication skills Personal integrity   Writing skills Critical thinking skills   Managing the work Familiarity with the techniques of behavioural science as applied to criminal investigations  Knowledge of the investigative and legal process “Roadmap of Development” to ACPO Approved Status 7

Emerging Issues:

 Continuing professional developments  Transparency, Academic links, Common goals 8

PROFILING WAY OFF SCENT IN M25 MANHUNT

9 “....the Imiela case breaks all the rules and regulations. There is no pattern. What we are having to do is expand our perceptions and it gets difficult doing profiles. We will have to expand our boundaries.”

Emerging Issues:

      Continuing professional development  Transparency, Academic links, common goals Revisit behavioural consistency and linkage  What cases are we looking at when assessing similarity?

Revisit background characteristics  Do we only know about criminal criminals?

Impact of advancements in forensic techniques  What cases are BIAs likely to be faced with?

Lateral thinking in offender identification  We need to do more than predict offender backgrounds Data, data, data  SCAS currently supporting 20+ research projects 10

Adam Gregory Senior Behavioural Investigative Advisor [email protected]

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