Symbolic, relational, and ideological signifiers of bias-motivated offenders: Toward a strategy of assessment

Developmental, ideological, and behavioral characteristics of 58 convicted hate crime offenders were examined. Ratings on the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version, HCR-20, and Bias Motivation Profile (BMP) were made via record review. Offense characteristics were rated on the Cornell Aggression Index and Cormier-Lang Crime Index. Results indicated that offenders with higher BMP scores engaged in more instrumental (i.e., premeditated) aggression and targeted racial-ethnic minority victims. Significant within-group variation in the prominence of offender bias motivation on the BMP was observed.