Offender profiling follows the idea that if offenders' crime scene actions can be empirically linked to their background characteristics, it will be possible to predict one from the other (Canter, 2011). There is a lack of research exploring whether homicide offenders' crime scene actions are predictive of their criminal histories, despite the potential utility of such information (Almond, McManus, Bal, O'Brien, Rainbow, & Webb, 2018). The current study addresses this gap in the literature.A sample of 213 adult male-on-female homicides with sexual or unknown motive was drawn from a UK-wide database. Relationships between 13 preconviction variables and 29 crime scene behaviors were explored using a bivariate statistical approach. Subsequently, binary logistic regression models were used to predict the presence, or absence, of specific pre-convictions based on a combination of offence behaviors. Analyses highlighted 16 statistically significant associations between key offence behaviors and previous convictions, these associations were often "less likely" to result in previous conviction. The analysis failed to find any association for various other variables, most notably sexual pre-convictions. Results indicate offenders' criminal histories can be predicted from their offence behaviors, though not all pre-convictions may be similarly suited. Implications for practice are discussed.Alison, L.
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