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1. a panel of experts reviews articles before they are accepted for publication;
2. a scholar or specialist in the field writes articles;
3. articles report on original research or experimentation;
4. are often published by professional associations;
5. utilize terminology associated with the discipline.
Newspapers, magazines, and similar periodicals must be used sparingly and are acceptable only as sources of supplementary information.
References like Wikipedia, Psychology Today, and Court TV are not primary sources, are not peer-reviewed (reviewed for empirical integrity, accuracy, and authenticity), and are not appropriate for scholarly writing (with the possible exception of use for anecdotal background information).
This assignment is a criminal profilingr. The student will pick a high-profile criminal listed on the assignment page and explain the biological, situational, and developmental factors contributing to this criminal’s behavior, including geographic mobility, victimology, and M.O./signature.
Examples of Possible Criminal Profiles
David Berkowitz (son of sam)
Dennis Rader (BTK)
Ted Bundy
Jeffry Dahmer
Albert Fish
John Wayne Gacy
Aileen Wuornos
Make sure you provide the following:
1. Give a thorough description of the criminal’s background (life story).
2. Utilize course material to explain the criminal’s behavior to include geographical mobility, victimology, modus operandi, and signature
3. Discuss how psychological theories and research contributed to this criminal’s apprehension, prosecution, understanding and/or treatment.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide for Writing the Criminal Profiling Assignment
Step 1: Introduction
- Begin by introducing the criminal you have selected for the assignment (e.g., David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy). Provide a brief overview of their criminal activities and the relevance of their case in criminal profiling.
Step 2: Thorough Description of the Criminal’s Background (Life Story)
- Provide a detailed account of the criminal’s life history. Include:
- Early Life: Describe the criminal’s childhood, family background, and any early signs of troubling behavior.
- Developmental Factors: Discuss the psychological, social, or environmental influences that may have contributed to the individual’s criminal behavior.
- Adulthood: Explain the progression of their life into adulthood and how this led to their criminal actions.
Step 3: Geographical Mobility
- Geographical Mobility: Discuss how the criminal moved around geographically, if applicable. Consider:
- How their mobility impacted the nature of their crimes.
- Did they target victims in various locations? If so, why might they have chosen to move around?
Step 4: Victimology
- Victimology: Describe the characteristics of the criminal’s victims:
- Age, gender, race, occupation, etc.
- Any patterns in the type of victims chosen (e.g., vulnerability, specific characteristics).
- Was the selection of victims random, or was there a specific motive behind the choice of victims?
Step 5: Modus Operandi (M.O.) and Signature
- Modus Operandi (M.O.): Discuss the criminal’s typical method of committing the crime. This could include:
- How they approached and interacted with their victims.
- Tools or weapons used, if applicable.
- Time of day or specific settings they operated in.
- Signature: Explain any distinct, repeated behaviors or actions the criminal exhibited, such as a ritualistic element or unique aspect of the crime that wasn’t necessarily needed to commit the crime but was part of their psychological need or compulsion.
Step 6: Psychological Theories and Research
- Psychological Theories: Use course material to explain how psychological theories help explain the criminal’s behavior. Examples include:
- Biological factors: Were there any genetic or neurobiological factors contributing to the criminal’s behavior (e.g., brain abnormalities)?
- Situational factors: Consider the environmental influences that may have contributed to the behavior (e.g., childhood abuse, social factors).
- Developmental factors: Analyze how the criminal’s developmental experiences, including any traumas, influenced their criminal tendencies.
Step 7: Contribution to Apprehension, Prosecution, and Understanding
- Apprehension: How did psychological research and profiling contribute to the capture of this criminal?
- Did criminal psychology help law enforcement identify patterns or predict the criminal’s next move?
- Prosecution: Discuss how psychological theories or evidence played a role in the prosecution process.
- Was the criminal’s mental state a factor in their trial (e.g., insanity defense)?
- Treatment: If applicable, explain any psychological treatment given to the criminal after apprehension.
- What role did psychological theories play in shaping treatment or rehabilitation options?
Step 8: Conclusion
- Summarize the main points discussed in your paper, emphasizing the connection between psychological theories and the criminal’s behavior. Restate how the criminal’s background, psychological theories, and profiling played a crucial role in their apprehension and understanding.
Step 9: References
- Be sure to use at least two academic sources related to criminal profiling and psychology to support your analysis. This includes peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and course materials. Ensure all references are formatted in APA style.
Formatting Tips:
- Word Count: Aim for about 1,000–1,500 words, depending on the required length of your paper.
- APA Style: Make sure the paper is formatted according to APA 7th edition. This includes title page, in-text citations, and reference page.
- Clear Structure: Use headings and subheadings to break down the content. This will make it easier for the reader to follow and will help with organization.
By following this guide, you will be able to create a comprehensive, well-structured criminal profiling assignment that covers all required elements and demonstrates a strong understanding of the psychological theories behind criminal behavior.