Building a portrait Assessment
Task 1
Explain the process of building a psychological and social portrait of the offender (P6)
Produce a psychological and social portrait applying to the case study below (P5) (M3) (D3)
Definition of a psychological portrait:
A psychological portrait is a description of an individual in terms of characteristics such as
personality, gender, typical behaviours.
Definition of a social portrait:
A social portrait is a description of an individual in terms of their interactions with other
people. For example; the offender’s socioeconomic status, ethnicity or religion. In a social
portrait, forensic psychologists would look for an offender's modus operandi, signature and
if there's any linkage with previous crimes.
The body of a woman in her early 20’s has been found abandoned in a field. There is
severe bruising around the shoulders and neck, and evidence of a sexual assault. A large
metal chain has been found around half a mile away. There was evidence the victim had
been blindfolded but the blindfold had since been removed.
The victim’s body had been covered in leaves but was clearly visible to a passer-by
walking their dog who alerted the police. Shoe prints have been found in the surrounding
area. Fingerprints and traces of blood other than the victim's have been found on the
metal chain.
The field backs on to a building site and is a few miles away from a housing estate.
Psychological profile Evidence of behaviours at the crime
scene/ details of the crime
Produce a psychological portrait
, Explain how these characteristics are
identified
Age: Probably early 20s “The body of a woman in her early 20’s”.
This shows that the offender is mostly likely
in the same age bracket as the victims (e.g.
18-30).
“Fingerprints and traces of blood”. This can
be used to determine offender age as DNA
changes with age so samples of blood,
saliva and hair can be analysed to
determine age.
Gender: Probably male “The body of a woman…evidence of a
sexual assault.” This shows that the
offender is mostly likely male as with the
nature of the crime, women are less likely to
commit a violent crime, so more likely to be
a man.
Health/ fitness: “severe bruising around the shoulders and
● Strong neck.” This shows that the offender is
● Possible athlete mostly likely strong and athletic as they
have caused physical harm towards the
victim.
“traces of blood”. This can be used to
determine the offender's general state of
health.
Habits/ Behaviours: “evidence of sexual assault”. This suggests
that the offender has negative attitudes
toward women. Therefore, the offender
might possible be a incel
“the victim had been blindfolded”.
Blindfolded victim might be part of a sexual
fantasy or to conceal the victim from
knowing the offender (i.e. well-organised)
“The victim’s body had been covered in
leaves”. This shows that the offender is
mostly likely to be well-organised as the
body was concealed. But “clearly visible to
a passer-by”, thereby suggesting that the
offender is ill-experienced and possibly
disorganised.
“A large metal chain has been found around
half a mile away”. This shows that the
Task 1
Explain the process of building a psychological and social portrait of the offender (P6)
Produce a psychological and social portrait applying to the case study below (P5) (M3) (D3)
Definition of a psychological portrait:
A psychological portrait is a description of an individual in terms of characteristics such as
personality, gender, typical behaviours.
Definition of a social portrait:
A social portrait is a description of an individual in terms of their interactions with other
people. For example; the offender’s socioeconomic status, ethnicity or religion. In a social
portrait, forensic psychologists would look for an offender's modus operandi, signature and
if there's any linkage with previous crimes.
The body of a woman in her early 20’s has been found abandoned in a field. There is
severe bruising around the shoulders and neck, and evidence of a sexual assault. A large
metal chain has been found around half a mile away. There was evidence the victim had
been blindfolded but the blindfold had since been removed.
The victim’s body had been covered in leaves but was clearly visible to a passer-by
walking their dog who alerted the police. Shoe prints have been found in the surrounding
area. Fingerprints and traces of blood other than the victim's have been found on the
metal chain.
The field backs on to a building site and is a few miles away from a housing estate.
Psychological profile Evidence of behaviours at the crime
scene/ details of the crime
Produce a psychological portrait
, Explain how these characteristics are
identified
Age: Probably early 20s “The body of a woman in her early 20’s”.
This shows that the offender is mostly likely
in the same age bracket as the victims (e.g.
18-30).
“Fingerprints and traces of blood”. This can
be used to determine offender age as DNA
changes with age so samples of blood,
saliva and hair can be analysed to
determine age.
Gender: Probably male “The body of a woman…evidence of a
sexual assault.” This shows that the
offender is mostly likely male as with the
nature of the crime, women are less likely to
commit a violent crime, so more likely to be
a man.
Health/ fitness: “severe bruising around the shoulders and
● Strong neck.” This shows that the offender is
● Possible athlete mostly likely strong and athletic as they
have caused physical harm towards the
victim.
“traces of blood”. This can be used to
determine the offender's general state of
health.
Habits/ Behaviours: “evidence of sexual assault”. This suggests
that the offender has negative attitudes
toward women. Therefore, the offender
might possible be a incel
“the victim had been blindfolded”.
Blindfolded victim might be part of a sexual
fantasy or to conceal the victim from
knowing the offender (i.e. well-organised)
“The victim’s body had been covered in
leaves”. This shows that the offender is
mostly likely to be well-organised as the
body was concealed. But “clearly visible to
a passer-by”, thereby suggesting that the
offender is ill-experienced and possibly
disorganised.
“A large metal chain has been found around
half a mile away”. This shows that the
