Up to Markowitz's Rant
The insinuation that anyone has ever been convicted of a crime on the sole basis of an FBI profile is ludicrous. Perhaps you should dig a little deeper in your reading or start paying attention to all the information rather than just what you want to hear. Williams not only fit the profile but was convicted mainly based on the forensic evidence. Carpet fibers and dog hair matching that from Williams' home was found on the victims (those who were not dumped in the river). Further, Williams slipped on the stand and when asked if he had panicked when he was killing the boys, softly answered "NO" before realizing what he had said and flying into a rage in front of the jury. A guiltier man has never gone to jail.
Is profiling becoming sensationalized? Absolutely. Is it gaining credibility. I certainly hope so. Will any jury in the country convict on it's basis alone? Hardly. The Simpson jury wouldn't even convict on the basis of DNA evidence and that is far more compelling than a psychological profile. The Investigative Support Unit does not ride into town, catch a bad guy and ride off. They evaluate and analyze behvaioral evidence and create a profile to aid local police in their investigation. They do not say "THIS is your guy!" but rather, these are the types of characteristics the unknown subject will exhibit.
I would think that anyone motivated enough to create a web page on the subject would be motivated to research the topic at length rather than critique John Douglas' book. It seems to me that someone has been watching a little too much T.V. themselves and lost sight of the fact that television programs are at best only inspired by reality, certainly not documenting actual events. If there is a rebuttal forthcominng I would love to hear it.
lennis@umassd.edu
Copyright © 1996 by "Lennis" lennis@umassd.edu All Rights Reserved.
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