Cluster Analysis Examination of Serial Killer Profiling Categories - Essay Example

Article Critique – Cluster Analysis Examination of Serial Killer Profiling Categories: A Bottom-Up Approach I. Introduction The work at hand is an article critique on the research study “Cluster Analysis Examination of Serial Killer Profiling Categories: A Bottom-Up Approach”. The first part of the critique is the summary of the literature review of the study, followed by the methodology section and finally the results and discussion section. II. Summary of the literature review The literature review presents various studies linked to the actual research study that the proponents try to investigate. In order to find the relevant gap taking place within the various studies or available related literature, the proponents established the basic foundation of arguments in order to present the actual problem statement. They started with how the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) classifies the serial killers into a dichotomous classification as organized non-social and disorganized asocial. However, various researches are trying to question the validity of this prevailing classification. For the various respondents of these research studies, there are many things to learn concerning the actual profiling strategy of the FBI. One fundamental claim is to understand the patterns how the killers or criminals act, and even what their actual behaviors will be during the crime implementation through the remarkable crimson trail of evidence that may possibly be left behind in the crime scene. In other words, there are many things to consider classifying clearly the relevant difference between the organized and disorganized crimes. This is a remarkable point that is worth pondering about and the very reason why there are substantial studies directly linking to it, as clearly observed in the actual number of related literature that the proponents investigated and employed. The above situation shows us the remarkable foundation of the problem statement in the study, and this is the need to identify the appropriate way on how to identify the right classification of the organized and disorganized crimes, respectively (Taylor et al. 34). This tells us that examination of serial killer profiling categories is important. This study is essential, because the FBI is after of alleviating the surging crime rate or even putting it to a halt, at the bottom line. However, there is a need to understand the actual nature of the crime in order to have important clues or leads on how to actually respond and solve it. It is the elemental task of the FBI or other related authorities to stop or hinder the implementation of crime, and so the need for more scientific evidence on the right approach to do is a critical consideration to play the maximum role in the investigation. For this matter, the study therefore is a contribution to the body of knowledge, for the FBI to follow or implement prior to the achievement of their objectives linked to their fundamental role. III. Methodology section The proponents employed the generic methodology. The data that the proponents used are secondary, from case materials, and they collected them by doing research in books, journals, newspaper clips, documentary footage, and from the websites (Taylor et al. 35). They also discarded the conflicting, or biased documented information. This means that the data they employed are most probably reliable. However, considering that they are only relying on secondary data, they have no other choice, but to rely on the perspectives of the source, to whom the data they employed belong. This means that the proponents will never have any chance to consider the actual investigation of the crimes by themselves especially in the actual crime scene to document the necessary data. However, one major advantage in acquiring these secondary data coming from various relevant and reliable sources is the diversity of information. However, diverse, the data must therefore be free from any bias because the proponents discarded those with conflicting characteristics. In other words, using the secondary data, provided that the researchers will be able to handle them the right way, is a significant advantage, rather than a limitation. This means that by using the above-stated data, one essential requirement is to have knowledgeable or expert researchers, which could be an essential limitation that is most probably to surface if substantially overlooked. IV. Results and Discussion section In the first study, the proponents find that crime scene criteria co-occur as clusters supporting the organized/disorganized dichotomy of the FBI for both men and women (Taylor et al. 38). In the second study, the researchers find that Holmes and De Burger’s typologies cannot exactly identify the difference between male and female serial killers in the nature and frequency, thus they also determine that the defined typologies cannot be considered equally applicable to women as men (Taylor et al. 47, 49). Based on the above findings, perhaps the most essential information that could be more valuable for the FBI is the actual result of finding that crime scene criteria co-occur as clusters supporting the organized/disorganized dichotomy of the FBI for both men and women. This finding provides a remarkable opportunity for the FBI to consider using the same approach employed in the research study of Taylor et al. especially in understanding the nature of the case. For this reason, it is important to consider the work of Taylor et al. as a significant contribution to the body of knowledge, particularly in helping solve the crime, preventing it, alleviating its surging existence, and if possible, to putting it to a halt. Therefore, studies like what Taylor et al. conducted, though sophisticated, will definitely provide a remarkable contribution providing that its area of application is quite clear to those who will potentially benefit from it. V. Conclusion The work at hand has just presented the critical analysis of the research article “Cluster Analysis Examination of Serial Killer Profiling Categories: A Bottom-Up Approach”. Together with the analysis, the work at hand also presents the remarkable use of data together with their actual gathering. Above all, the relevant findings are also presented, by which we substantially generate an important thought whether the entire research article will eventually make sense particularly for the FBI. Furthermore, there is remarkable information we generate that indeed, the study of Taylor et al. is a significant contribution to the body of knowledge, particularly in crime investigation and other related activities of the FBI. Cited Work Taylor, Sandie, Daniel Lambeth, Georga Green, Rachel Bone, and Marie A. Cahillane. “Cluster Analysis Examination of Serial Killer Profiling Categories: A Bottom-Up Approach.” Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, 9(2012): 30-51. 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