Offender Profiling Series
Profiling
Property Crimes
Edited by David Canter & Laurence Alison (2000)
back to Profiling
Property Crimes
Profiling Property Crimes
Nick J. Dodd
The Psychology of Fraud
Fraud has not been the subject of concerted behavioural
research. Similarly, it is suggested, that it is not a high priority in
terms of police and organisational resources. This chapter proposes that
an understanding of the psychological issues that serve to formulate and
mediate fraudulent behaviour is crucial to its investigation and prevention.
These issues are drawn from the psychological literature and include risk
taking, attitudes towards targets and money, self-perception and the perceived
seriousness of the crime. It is hypothesised that greater knowledge of
these issues, as a result of behavioural research, will provide organisations
with the means to effectively identify fraudsters in their systems. It
will also provide them with the ability to influence the deviant perceptions
and beliefs of the offender in order to prevent him/her from making the
decision to defraud in the first place. Finally, it is suggested that
early detection of the fraudster may prevent him/her from going on to
commit more "serious" crimes, as research has revealed that
robbers, burglars and juvenile delinquents invariably have previous histories
which include deception and fraud.
Nick J. Dodd was
awarded a BA (Hons) Psychology from University College, Swansea, University
of Wales and a PhD from The University of Liverpool. A keen interest in
the application of psychology to investigating and preventing crime led
to him being awarded an MSc in Investigative Psychology by the University
of Surrey. A specialised interest in the psychological aspects of fraud
developed during this period. This received support from the insurance
industry in an examination of the behavioural aspects of insurance claim
fraud. A more recent interest has been exploring the psychological aspects
of pilfering and its relationship to organisational culture and employee
variables. This attracted the support of the Economic and Social Research
Council and an international parcel delivery company. Concurrently, advisory
roles have been undertaken on projects exploring compliance, control and
security issues in the working environment.
