Identify and describe the phases of a crime and explain why this information is important in Psychological Profiling.

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There are many phases of crime that occur when someone commits a crime. The first stage is the stage of intention. This stage is when someone thinks about committing a crime. For example, if someone is wanting to commit an assault, they will think about how to harm the potential victim, which would constitute as their intention to do so. the second phase is the phase of preparation where the individual will take the time to prepare for the crime. An example of this would be someone who is intending to commit murder preparing by obtaining the weapon they plan to use on the victim. The third phase is the attempt to commit the crime. This can occur when the individual comes into contact with the victim using their intention to harm or kill them. This stage is either followed by committing the crime or being intervened by an outside source and not being able to commit the actual crime. The final stage, which follows the attempt is the commission of the crime. This is the act in which results in the physical harm or death that the criminal was intending on committing. Understanding these phases in crime can help a profiler understand why individuals commit crimes and can also help identify warning signs that someone will commit a crime in order to help prevent others from committing crimes and to create deterrence methods as well. Psychological profilers can use the information from each step to determine what led the individual to intention and what helped them through the preparation and attempt as well. This can help them identify information to use in the future for psychological profiling and prevention of crime.