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The Action System Model: A Typology of Spanish Homicides
María Del Mar Pecino-Latorre1, Jorge Santos-Hermoso2, María Del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes1,3
1Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain.
Frontiers in Psychology
|October 12, 2020
Summary
The Action System model effectively classifies homicides in Spain by analyzing offender behavior, victim characteristics, and modus operandi. This framework aids in understanding criminal psychology and prioritizing suspects in investigations.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Behavioral Science
- Forensic Psychology
Background:
- The Action System model provides a behavioral basis for crime classification.
- Its application to homicides is under-explored.
- This study validates the model for differentiating homicide structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the Action System model's effectiveness in classifying Spanish homicides.
- To develop a typology of simple homicides based on offender, victim, and modus operandi data.
- To explore relationships between criminal actions and offender characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 448 homicide cases in Spain.
- Application of the Action System model to differentiate homicide typologies.
- Examination of modus operandi, victim, and offender characteristics.
Main Results:
- Four distinct homicide typologies identified: Expressive, Adaptive, Integrative, and Conservative.
- These typologies account for 87.5% of the cases studied.
- Specific behavioral patterns and offender/victim characteristics were linked to each typology.
Conclusions:
- The Action System model is a valid framework for understanding variations in homicide behavior.
- The identified typologies offer insights into the psychological processes underlying homicides.
- Findings support practical applications in criminal profiling and suspect prioritization.
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