Profiling a Perpetrator

  • By Website Editor
  • •
  • 19 Feb, 2020

It's a question we hear quite often: "What's the difference between CrowdSolve and CrimeCon?" There are many, but the main difference is that CrowdSolve includes a large educational component led by some of the most renowned experts in the country. One of those experts is forensic psychologist Dr. Casey Jordan. 

Dr. Casey Jordan is a criminologist, behavior analyst, and attorney with 30 years of experience in investigative profiling and violent crime analysis. She is a professor of Justice & Law Administration at Western Connecticut State University and conducts qualitative research on violent crime and criminal behavior systems by interviewing hundreds of inmates and self-reported offenders. She is an expert on serial killing, mass murder, school shootings, sex crimes, domestic violence, criminal law, and the insanity defense. Case studies and research findings have resulted in more than 2000 media appearances and multiple publications,  and she has served as an expert witness or legal counsel in many high-profile trials.

Dr. Jordan took some time to speak with me about what she has in store for CrowdSolve Chicago Investigators.


CCI: What’s your favorite part about what you do?  
Dr. Jordan: There's nothing fun or glamorous about studying the origins of crime, especially interviewing the criminals responsible for horrific murder and sexual assault--but the ANSWERS that we get through careful data-mining is critical to investigating unsolved cases. The silver lining is that criminologists and behavioral analysts don't just isolate variables about the criminals to create profiles, we also learn a lot of details about their thought process in choosing victims; these details help bring important answers to the victims and --in the case of homicide--to their families.   

As a criminologist, my first priority is always getting answers for families. Closure may not always be possible, but we have a lot to learn from the suffering of others. Catching a criminal is important, extremely important--but even when that doesn't happen, we can use what we learn to help PREVENT similar crimes in the future. Isolating the variables that lead to a crime, whether it is the background of the culprit or the precipitating factors relating the victim, invariably helps us understand the "perfect storm" of variables that leads to the crime happening. The favorite part of what I do is breaking it down to a paradigm that sheds light on a crime, but also getting answers that can bring some level of peace or understanding to victims and their families. Even if we don't solve a crime, victims and their loved ones find comfort in knowing that we uncover might actually prevent a similar crime from happening again to someone else.

CCI: What can CrowdSolve attendees expect from your session?
Dr. Jordan: ALL ideas are welcome. We start with brainstorming, and I'll ask pointed questions to try to separate intuitive or "gut" feelings about the case from what we know through data analytics of variables from similar cases. We will work together to isolate what we know fro fact, what we don't know and has yet to be discovered, and separate out any dead-ends or black-holes in the investigation that can never be known. While I can impart some specific techniques of how we organize, flow-chart, and use logic to build a grid of possible explanations that would fill some gaps in this case, attendees will also understand how complicated crime-solving is, and appreciate how and why all the team-members on a case need to work together, without hubris or territorial prerogative, in order to uncover answers that lead us closer to the truth about what happened to Kurt Sova.  

CCI:  What’s something you think they’ll be surprised to learn?
Dr. Jordan: Most Investigators might be surprised to learn that, as a team, we depend on the comprehensive case files for our foundation of information, BUT we need to operate from a stance of complete neutrality as we approach what we know. We need to consider that the "known" information might be faulty, biased, incomplete, or just downright inaccurate. In 1981, DNA technology was in its infancy and, forensic evidence processing was often subject to human error;  even the most well-intentioned players could make mistakes. Attendees will learn that by suspending their own presuppositions, using deductive reasoning instead of outmoded assumptions, we best position ourselves to provide fresh possibilities for what actually happened to Kurt. 

CCI: How difficult is it to put together a profile in a case like this where we’re not sure there was an actual offender? 
Dr. Jordan: The most important kick-off question is whether we think this death was natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, or unable to be determined. We have to profile Kurt Sova as a deceased individual to gain insight to each possibility, and consider his lifestyle, his inner circle of friends and family, his health and habits, and then the documented evidence, in order to best consider each alternative. When considering HOMICIDE as a possible manner of death, we can then look at the facts as we know them and start working off hypothetical scenarios that work in consonance with the forensic evidence and autopsy information.

 We CAN build a profile of an unsub who might be most likely to be responsible for taking Kurt's life, but given that we are unsure of the cause of death and location of death, a profile of an actual offender will be predicted based on known homicides with like characteristics. It isn't ideal, but it IS possible. The key is that a possible offender profile will also have to be considered in tandem with alternative scenarios for what happened to Kurt Sova, and attendees need to understand that we might get closer to the truth, even hypothesize the exact scenario as it truly happened, but still accept that --short of a confession by an actual culprit--our theories may never culminate in a provable answer.  

CrimeCon UK heads to Manchester!

By David Jones • November 28, 2024
Breaking News! CrimeCon UK is coming to Manchester in 2025!

CrimeCon London 2025

By David Jones - Brand Manager • September 30, 2024

CrimeCon Returns to London on 7th and 8th June 2025: A Must-Attend Event for True Crime Enthusiasts

Exciting news for true crime aficionados – CrimeCon is making its much-anticipated return to London on 7th and 8th June 2025! As the biggest UK event for those with a passion for the true crime genre, this is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of crime, justice, and investigation, all set in the heart of the UK capital.

CrimeCon UK has built a reputation as the ultimate true crime experience, where enthusiasts, experts, educators and professionals come together to explore high-profile cases, delve into forensic science, and hear from those at the forefront of criminal investigation. 2025 promises to be the best event yet - being more captivating than ever before.

What to Expect at CrimeCon 2025

Building on the enormous success of past years, CrimeCon London 2025 will once again offer attendees exclusive access to leading criminal experts, investigative journalists, detectives, and true crime content creators. With a packed schedule of live panels, interactive discussions, and real-life case studies, this year's event is guaranteed to leave attendees with insights into some of the most talked-about cases and topical true crime themes. Not only this, CrimeCon UK puts victims and advocacy for justice at the heart of the event - making sure that CrimeCon is a platform for every story that needs to be told.

Here's a glimpse of what awaits attendees at CrimeCon 2025:

  • Exclusive Interviews and Case Debriefs: Hear directly from those involved in some of the UK’s most intriguing and infamous criminal cases, hearing from those that were directly impacted by criminality.
  • Meet Your Favorite True Crime Content Creators: The digital world has revolutionised the true crime genre, and CrimeCon will be bringing top content creators together to discuss their platforms, methods, and deep dives into unsolved mysteries.
  • Interactive Exhibits and Forensic Workshops: Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you take part in immersive activities, which have, in the past, included forensic analysis and criminal profiling.
  • Q&A Sessions with Experts: Get the chance to ask burning questions to investigators, criminologists, and legal professionals.

Who Should Attend?

Whether you're a die-hard true crime fan, a criminal justice professional, or just someone curious about the world of crime-solving, CrimeCon is perfect for you. The event brings together a diverse community of people who share a passion for exploring the darker side of humanity while discussing critical issues of justice and victim advocacy.

For those already familiar with popular crime podcasts, books, and documentaries, this is your chance to engage with the experts and learn more about the complexities behind these stories. CrimeCon offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

Secure Your Spot

Tickets for CrimeCon London 2025 are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon. Various ticket packages are be available, offering different levels of access, from basic admission to VIP and Platinum experiences, where you can enjoy perks such as exclusive sessions with speakers, early access to certain events and enhanced event benefits. 

To find out more and to book your tickets, click here. Don't miss out on being part of the most thrilling true crime event of the year!

PUBLIC VOTE - OPEN NOW

By David Jones • February 5, 2024

Now is your chance to ensure your favourite true crime content from 2023 is recognised in the TCAs!

VIEWERS' CHOICE:  Whether it's your favourite series, documentary film or influencer - make sure you submit your thoughts on your favourite on-screen true crime content today! Remember - only content released in 2023 is eligible and will be counted.

LISTENERS' CHOICE:   All True Crime podcasts (that released content that is available in the UK during 2023) are eligible to be nominated so be sure that your go-to true crime podcast is recognised!

READERS' CHOICE:   Which true crime book caught your attention in 2023? As long as it was first published last year then it's eligible to be nominated, so cast your vote today!

Voting is now open and closes on 31st March 2024.  Those with the most votes will be recognised and awarded at the True Crime Awards which is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2024.

VOTE NOW!

The Big Scottish Book Club

By daviduk • October 18, 2023
THE BIG SCOTTISH BOOK CLUB
SERIES 5 EPISODE 2
AVAILABLE NOW

Damian Barr is joined by Shetland and Vera author Ann Cleeves to discuss her new novel, The Raging Storm. Lauren Lyle, star of the series Karen Pirie, reveals how she brings the Val McDermid character to life, and, on the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh talks about the ITV crime series and his latest novel, The Long Knives. True crime podcasters (and our very own Nancy Baughen)  rate Truman Capote classic In Cold Blood, and crime readers at the Shetland Noir Festival in Lerwick recommend their favourite reads.

If you'd like to catch up and watch this incredible episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, click here. 
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