BRACE Character Profile™ Comparison Analysis:
UNSUB BTK and Dennis Lynn Rader
Name of
Person Rated: Dennis Lynn Rader
Input
Ratings by: Select members of the Crime and Justice forum
Date rated:
January 28, 2006
BRACE
Character Profile™ analysis by: Russell L. Smith
Date of
report: February 17, 2006
Rationale and Procedure:
The input ratings for UNSUB BTK’s BRACE Character
Profile™ were developed from the message board of
www.deviantcrimes.com and the procedure and resulting analysis was
posted in the Serial Crimes/Serial Murder section on that website on May 14,
2004, over nine months before Dennis Lynn Rader was arrested on February 25,
2005. Now, approximately one year after Dennis Lynn Rader’s arrest, the
administrator of the Crime and Justice forum (www.crimeandjustice.us/forums/)
developed a consensus set of BRACE Character Profile™ input ratings from
three C&J forum members who have good knowledge of Dennis Lynn Rader’s
criminal and public history. The current report is a comparison analysis of
known Dennis Lynn Rader’s BRACE Character Profile™ with the original profile
of UNSUB BTK.
STANDARD INFORMATION: The underlying
structure of the BRACE Character Profile™ is based on three prototypical
character types (Type A, Type B, and Type C), which are each rated on a
5-point scale on eight Cognitive variables, eight Behavior variables, and
eight Existential or Motivation variables. The basic graphic
generated by a BRACE Character Profile™ represents the degree to which the
rated individual’s characteristic manner of thought, behavior, and
motivation is similar to or different from each of the three prototypical
character types. Once rated, the individual can be compared and contrasted
with any previously rated individual, real or imagined, dead or alive, and
with any “prototypical type” in the BRACE Character Profile™ database, such
as the 10 personality disorders detailed in DSM-IV-TR™ (American
Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision.
Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000), a
prototypical 40-point Hare PCL-R (Hare,
R.D., The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health
Systems, 1991), Asperger’s Disorder, etc.
The input ratings for the BRACE Character Profile™ can
be completed by anyone with basic reading skills and the ability to
objectively rate statements about a well known or well conceptualized
individual. The BRACE Character Profile™ provides a wealth of information,
but the individual rated must be well known or clearly imagined. Consensus
ratings by two or more individuals increases the knowledge base and
minimizes rating biases. However, one objective rater with good knowledge of
the character being rated is sufficient. An analysis of the BRACE Character
Profile™ graphics and correlation charts requires basic knowledge of the
three prototypical character types, which is available on the internet in
the Frequently Asked Questions Section of
www.BRACEanalysis.com.
NOTE:
When using the BRACE Character Profile™ graphics and correlations for the
DSM-IV-TR™ diagnostic categories, keep in mind that the DSM-IV-TR™
Personality Disorders are not equal in terms of the types of information
used as a “diagnostic criteria” --- nor are they equal in terms of the
number of available criteria that must be met in order for a diagnosis to be
made --- nor are they equal in terms of the number and types of other
qualifiers which must be taken into consideration in order to make a
diagnosis. DSM-IV-TR™ is a categorical classification, but all members of a
diagnostic class are not homogeneous, class boundaries are not clear, and
there is significant overlap between “classifications.”
The BRACE Character Profile™ is a dimensional
classification system which provides numerical and graphic information,
which may be subthreashold, based on a quantification of core
characteristics common to human nature. A visual comparison of BRACE
Character Profile™ graphics helps inform clinical opinion or the opinion of
anyone familiar with the BRACE Character Profile™. Some alternatives can be
ruled-out and others more seriously considered through a more detailed
analysis of underlying variables and correlations.
The color coding used in the BRACE Character
Profile™ correlation charts is somewhat like a traffic light:
•
green is a GO for
high positive correlation (.05 or higher).
•
yellow is a CAUTION
for a positive correlation which deserves consideration (.1 to .06).
•
red is a
STOP, which indicates a negative correlation of .1 or higher.
Note that the negative correlations provide as much
useful clinical and practical information as the positive correlations. It
is the combination of high correlations, both positive and negative, that
yields the analysis. If one knows how a person thinks, what a person
thinks about, what a person does, and what a person wants, then that person
is 100% profiled. On the flip side, if one knows how a person does NOT
think, what a person does NOT think about, what a person does NOT do, and
what a person does NOT want, then the person is also 100% profiled. Consider
the 10 DSM-IV-TR™ personality disorders. When there are several significant
correlations (positive and negative) that consistently complement each other
in terms of the individual’s functional characteristics, the individual
profiled is well conceptualized and a high level of definition is provided
by the stark contrasts.
In the final analysis, the BRACE Character Profile™
merely puts the image that is in the rater’s mind into an objective and
meaningful format, which can be shared and considered from many different
angles, much like a hologram or a virtual reality tour of a house. The bits
and pieces of information included in the input ratings are transformed into
a virtual persona of the individual in the mind of the rater. This process
is certainly affected by the knowledge base for input ratings, the
objectivity and critical thinking skills of the rater, and the adherence of
the rater to the BRACE Character Profile™ rating procedures, which are
printed on the input form.
Dennis Rader January 28, 2006 (left graphic) and
BTK May 14, 2004 (right graphic):
Overall correlation: +0.44
(0.29 is significant at the .01 level of
confidence for the Overall correlation)
(Extracted
from the correlation charts)
DOMAINS
TYPES
Cognitive Domain:
+0.34
Type A: -0.06
Behavior Domain:
+0.57
Type B: +0.24
Existential Domain:
+0.56
Type C: +0.06
(0.51 is significant at the .01 level of
confidence for the Domains and Types)
(0.40
is significant at the .05 level of confidence for the Domains and Types)
(0.34 is significant at the .10 level of
confidence for the Domains and Types)
Character TYPES x DOMAIN Correlations
Type A Cognitive (+0.12) Type A Behavior
(+0.10) Type A Existential (0.00)
Type B Cognitive (-0.45) Type B Behavior
(0.00) Type B Existential (+0.66)
Type C Cognitive (+0.32) Type C Behavior
(+0.35) Type C Existential (-0.37)
(0.83 is significant at the .01 level of
confidence for the Types x Domains)
(0.71 is significant at the .05 level of
confidence for the Types x Domains)
(0.62 is significant at the .10 level of
confidence for the Types x Domains)
Analysis of Basic Graphics:
The overall correlation of the Dennis Lynn Rader
profile with the UNSUB BTK profile supports the validity of the original
profile. Both profiles reveal significant pathology in all areas of
functioning. There is a high overall positive correlation between the two
profiles and a positive correlation for each of the three Domains. None of
the differences between the three Types or the Types x Domains are
statistically significant. UNSUB BTK is generally profiled as having higher
Type B characteristics and lower Type A characteristics than the profile of
Dennis Rader. In general, this indicates that UNSUB BTK was profiled as more
disciplined and cognitively intact, more violent and antisocial, and
generally more preoccupied with and motivated by matters of power and
control than the profile of Dennis Rader.
With this and other graphic comparisons, one must keep
in mind that similar Type and similar Domain scores may be
generated by different underlying structures. When a more sophisticated and
detailed analysis is required, the ratings that make up each component part
of the graphics can be correlated for direct comparison with any known
“prototypical type” or any other individual in the BRACE Character Profile™
database. The amount of information that can be generated for analysis is
staggering. In fact, the first task of such an analysis is to decide what
questions are being asked and which of the potential comparisons will best
answer those questions. In any case, it is a quantum leap into the nature of
the person rated. In this case, such a comparison will reveal the nature of
the similarities and differences between the profiles of Dennis Lynn Rader
and UNSUB BTK.
BTK
UNSUB and Dennis Rader Correlated with Several Known Prototypical Types
(Only the
statistically significant correlations are included)
NOTE: The
following data is derived from correlating both profiles with various
“prototypical types,” including the 10 DSM-IV-TR™ Personality Disorders,
Asperger’s Disorder, DSM-III-R™ Sadistic Personality Disorder, and a
prototypical 40-point Hare PCL-R. The correlations are indicators of an
individual’s cognitive-behavioral-existential characteristics, but analysis
also requires consideration of other known facts, other sources of
information, and the analysis of each Type (A, B, and C) and each Domain
(Cognitive, Behavior, and Existential). The BRACE Character Profile™
reflects patterns, characteristics of thought, behavior, and motivation ---
it does not presume to make clinical diagnoses.
There are many potential clinical paths to any cluster of
cognitive-behavioral-existential characteristics.
OVERALL
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB:
Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.63), 301.7 Antisocial Personality Disorder
(+0.44), 40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.43), 301.0 Paranoid Personality Disorder
(+0.37), and 301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder (+0.30).
DENNIS L. RADER:
40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.44), 301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder
(+0.39), Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.36), and 301.0 Paranoid
Personality Disorder (+0.22).
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.6
Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.69), 301.82 Avoidant Personality Disorder
(-0.56), 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder (-0.55), 301.83 Borderline
Personality Disorder (-0.35), Asperger’s Disorder (-0.30), 301.22
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (-0.29), and Histrionic Personality
Disorder (-0.23).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.6 Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.39), 301.82 Avoidant Personality
Disorder (-0.30), 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder (-0.29), and
Asperger’s Disorder (-0.20).
COGNITIVE DOMAIN:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.7
Antisocial Personality Disorder (+0.58), 40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.55), and
Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.50).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.6
Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.71), 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder
(-0.57), 301.82 Avoidant Personality Disorder (-0.56), and 301.83 Borderline
Personality Disorder (-0.51).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.82 Avoidant Personality Disorder (-0.46), 301.6 Dependent Personality
Disorder (-0.42), 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder (-0.39), and
Asperger’s Disorder (-0.35).
BEHAVIOR DOMAIN:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB:
Sadistic Personality Disorder (0+.62) and 301.81 Narcissistic Personality
Disorder (+0.37).
DENNIS L. RADER:
40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.43) and 301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder
(+0.35).
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.6
Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.81), 301.22 Schizotypal Personality
Disorder (-0.71), 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder (-0.66), 301.82
Avoidant Personality Disorder (-0.66), Asperger’s Disorder (-0.65), and
301.4 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (-0.38).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.6 Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.70), Asperger’s Disorder (-0.65),
301.22 Schizotypal Personality Disorder (-0.61), Avoidant Personality
Disorder (-0.46), and 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder (-0.43).
EXISTENTIAL DOMAIN:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB:
Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.78), 301.0 Paranoid Personality Disorder
(+0.78), 301.7 Antisocial Personality Disorder (+0.56), 301.4
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (+0.56), and 40-point Hare PCL-R
(+0.54).
DENNIS L. RADER:
Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.56), 301.0 Paranoid Personality Disorder
(+0.51), and 40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.47).
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.6
Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.71), 301.82 Avoidant Personality Disorder
(-0.50), and 301.20 Schizoid Personality Disorder (-0.42).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.6 Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.58), 301.83 Borderline Personality
Disorder (-0.46), and 301.82 Avoidant Personality Disorder (-0.37).
TYPE A:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB:
Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.55).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.6 Dependent Personality Disorder (+0.48), 301.0 Paranoid Personality
Disorder (+0.47), 301.4 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (+0.47),
and Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.37).
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.22
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (-0.53) and 301.20 Schizoid Personality
Disorder (-0.35).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
TYPE B:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB:
40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.38).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.22 Schizotypal Personality Disorder (+0.39).
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
TYPE C:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.22
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (+0.39), 301.0 Paranoid Personality
Disorder (+0.36), and Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.35).
DENNIS L. RADER:
40-point Hare PCL-R (+0.35).
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: 301.6
Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.45).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.7 Antisocial Personality Disorder (-0.53).
Cognitive x Type A:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: 301.22
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (-0.69).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.83 Borderline Personality Disorder (-0.65).
Cognitive x Type B:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: 301.7
Antisocial Personality Disorder (+0.70).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: 301.82
Avoidant Personality Disorder (-0.78).
DENNIS L. RADER:
Asperger’s Disorder (-0.68).
Cognitive x Type C:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.22
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (+0.90) and 301.0 Paranoid Personality
Disorder (+0.65).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder (+0.63).
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: 301.83
Borderline Personality Disorder (-0.75).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Behavior x Type A:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB:
Sadistic Personality Disorder (+0.80).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.22
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (-0.71) and 301.83 Borderline Personality
Disorder (-0.64).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Behavior x Type B:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.83 Borderline Personality Disorder (-0.73).
Behavior x Type C:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.6
Dependent Personality Disorder (-0.88) and 301.4 Obsessive-Compulsive
Personality Disorder (-0.76).
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder (-0.84).
Existential x Type A:
Significant Positive
Correlations (in rank order):
BTK UNSUB: 301.81
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (+0.81), Sadistic Personality Disorder
(+0.79), and 301.0 Paranoid Personality Disorder (+0.74).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Existential x Type B:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.22 Schizotypal Personality Disorder (+0.64).
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Existential x Type C:
Significant Positive
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: 301.0
Paranoid Personality Disorder (+0.68).
DENNIS L. RADER:
None.
Significant Negative
Correlations:
BTK UNSUB: None.
DENNIS L. RADER:
301.7 Antisocial Personality Disorder (-0.67).
SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS:
The BTK UNSUB profile generated at
www.deviantcrimes.com on May 14, 2004 and the Dennis Lynn Rader profile
generated at
www.crimeandjustice.us on January 28, 2006 both reflect an individual
with significant pathology in thought, behavior, and motivation. The above
data is presented in some detail to allow others to make their own analyses
of the similarities and differences between the two profiles.
The most outstanding agreement is the fact that both
profiles nail him as a psychopath with characteristics consistent with a
narcissistic personality ... almost identical correlations. The original BTK
UNSUB profile has him as more sadistic (both have him as significantly
sadistic), as having more antisocial characteristics, more paranoid
characteristics (power and control), and as being more cognitively intact
and self-controlled (both self-discipline and self-restraint). Both profiles
also agree that his characteristics are significantly NOT avoidant,
dependent, or schizoid, and NOT consistent with Asperger's Disorder or
ADHD.
A secondary consideration is the similarities and
differences between the two sets of raters and the procedures by which the
consensus sets of ratings were established. All raters were highly motivated
and interested in establishing a valid profile. In spite of the differences
in the raters’ training and experience, the procedural differences for
establishing the two sets of input ratings, and the differences in the
raters’ familiarity with the BRACE Character Profile, two meaningful
profiles were produced. The fact that such profiles can be produced is
remarkable. To my knowledge, this is the first time two internet forums have
been used to establish two comprehensive profiles of the same person, as an
UNSUB and as a convict. The whole process is a powerful demonstration of
what can be done.
Russell L. Smith
