a certain amount of psychopathology has been left at the scene. The characteristics of a good profiler are discussed. Five behavioural characteristics that can be gleaned from the crime scene are described: amount of planning that went into the crime, degree of control used by the offender, escalation of emotion at the scene, risk level of both the offender and victim, and appearance of the crime scene (disorganized versus organized). The process of interpreting the behaviour observed at a crime scene is briefly discussed. In a 2017 article by Pew research center, it was found that federal and state prisons in the United States held 475,900 inmates who were black and 436,500 who were white. Similar historical data supports the substantially higher incarceration of black people. This is in contrast with census data which has placed the percentage of black people or African American people at about 12% of the US population. Negative ethnic stereotypes contribute to this disproportionate incarceration; it has served as a justification for the unofficial policies and practices of racial profiling by criminal justice practitioners. The cultural, environmental and traditional concepts of communities play a major role in individual psychology, providing profilers with a potential basis for behavioural patterns learned by offenders during their upbringing. They also evaluate the safety of prisons for those incarcerated, as some individuals may be predisposed to recidivism if the prisoners' mental health is not or not adequately addressed. There are many individual factors contributing to developing a criminal profile that both meets legal requirements and treats profiled individuals humanely. Consultation Criminal psychologists will often use their expertise of human behaviour to consult with law enforcement personnel and others in the criminal justice system on various aspects of a case. they can help them ask appropriate questions during interrogation or give relevant information to help guide investigation. Career paths A bachelor's degree in psychology or criminal justice as well as a master's degree in a related field are needed in order to pursue a career in criminal psychology. A doctorate, either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D, typically yields higher pay and more lucrative job opportunities. In addition to degrees, a licensing exam is required by state or jurisdiction. Criminal profilers require a master's degree or a doctorate, several years of experience and in some cases passing state examinations to become a licensed psychologist. Criminal profilers can work in various settings including