When the FBI is given the task of profiling a serial killer, or potential serial killer, their first task is to complete a VICAP form. VICAP is an abbrevation of Violent Criminal Apprehension Programme, and as you would expect due to the intensely serious nature of the crimes involved, the form is extremely long and detailed.
There are sections regarding the victims appearance, the crime scene, restraints, elements of torture, and (hugely important to my research) a section on offender’s communications (item 135).
This part of the form reads:
OFFENDER’S COMMUNICATIONS
Item 135 deals with communications initiated by the offender with respect to the crime. Examples would be: an offender sending a letter or tape recording to the police or media claiming responsibility for the crime; a ransom note; or a suspicious communication received by the victim prior to the crime. (This item does not refer to conversation between the offender and victim during commission of the crime.)
135. Was there any communication from the offender before or after the crime?
Yes (enclose copy or synopsis of communication)
No
Unknown
It is fascinating to think that a form of this nature will have been filled out for every B.T.K or Zodiac communication, and one can only imagine the difficulty in trying to explain these letters in black and white.
Interestingly, item 135 also covers unusual communications recieved by the victim before the crime, as well as communications recieved by the media, and the much more common communication with the police/FBI.
A copy of the full VICAP form can be found at http://www.criminalprofiling.com/VICAP-CRIME-ANALYSIS-REPORT-FORM_s122.html
In the following video, former FBI serial killer expert John Douglas explains the theories and methods behind offender profiling.
Douglas was the inspiration for Jack Crawford in “Silence of the Lambs” and is renowned as one of the pioneers of offender profiling.
Red Ink Letters 