Assignment

Three Symptoms

For several years, "The MacDonald Triad", named after the forensic psychiatric, JM MacDonald, was used as a predictive tool when examining the common traits of serial killers. The three traits primarily found in these suspects were:

1. Cruelty to animals
2. Obsession with fire
3. Bed wetting past the age of 5.

In this assignment, you will examine "The MacDoanld Triad" study and its conclusions. Using at least FOUR external sources, you will discuss strengths and weakness of the study. Be sure to address the impact it has had on various criminal investigations. Is this a reliable tool to use when profiling these offenders? Are there better indicator(s) of violent, criminal behavior?