...Criminal Profiling: The Public Face of Forensic Psychology Jason Evans Brandman University Table of contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Literature review 4 Discussion 7 Personal interest in the topic 10 References 11 Abstract The utilisation of psychological concepts has been extended in many fields in seeking to enhance understanding of human behaviours. Forensic psychology is one of the various psychological filed which have developed out of the necessity to apply psychology in different fields. This article discusses the element of forensic psychology in relation to the various issues arising within the field. A discussion of the various issues highlights ethical aspects as the main causes of many challenges faced in the field. The complexity of the setting under which the psychological practice is conducted makes the topic become one of the interesting psychological segments that can be studied. Introduction Forensic psychology can be defined as the utilisation of psychological concepts, skills, and insights in seeking to enhance the understanding of various elements of legal and criminal justice systems. Within the context of the subject various psychological and legal aspects become combined in seeking to understand the functioning and operations of criminal systems (Davies & Beech, 2012). This approach to criminal justice involves various activities involved in the delivery of justice, ranging from the enforcement to treatment of suspects...
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...The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour: Theories from Past to Present by editor i Arista B. Dechant, Fort Hays State University, Kansas download this essay: theories-of-criminal-behavior Arista writes: I have been involved in extensive research since undergraduate school surrounding criminals and how they operate. There are many ideas surrounding the cause of antisocial behavior and criminality. Through this independent study class for Fort Hays State University’s Justice Studies (Graduate) Program, I felt I would have the perfect opportunity to explore many of theories which have developed, over time, to explain criminal behavior. It is my hope that this research paper will provide an extensive and educational look at how the psychology of a criminal impacts the activity which is produced. It seems that every year brings new ideas, but I feel that the following is a conclusive look of research compiled from the beginning of criminality to the present. I have also provided a history of criminality and how it has developed into what we now understand as forensic psychology. This field will always remain fluid with discovery, and my greatest pleasure would come from being part of it in the future. [pic] “Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves behind, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him.” Edmund Locard The application of psychology in the criminal and civil justice system is known as forensic...
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...Aileen Wuornos Rebecca McRunnel CRJ 308 Psychology of Criminal Behavior Professor David Ojo October 6, 2014 A serial killer is defined as a “person who murders three or more people over a period of more than 30 days, with a “cooling off” period between each murder, which whose motivation for killing is largely based on psychological gratification.” (University, n.d) Many times serial murders go unsolved and other times it takes decades to unravel. According to the FBI there is no set profile of a serial killer, because they can come in all sizes, ages, shapes, colors and groups. (Welch, 2011) They tend to operate within their comfort zone, which is there area where they work, live or they have relative’s homes. (Roberts, 2011)...
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...Abstract: As a super star of crime documentary, TV play series and Hollywood thriller, offender profiling has already become the most famous work of law enforcement in the world. Offender profiling is a frequently-used method in criminal psychology, but there are also some people who worry about the abusing of offender profiling by the police or crews(eg. Arrest someone only because he and the general criminal has one thing in common, or even just base on the color of the skin). This essay will focus on a series of queries and common questions about offender profiling. More information on this article will be presented in the introduction. Offender profiling(CP) has also been called criminal profiling, psychological profiling or crime scene...
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...with him? Why were they on the street in the first place? These and many other questions come to mind when we read this scenario. This is where a Criminologist comes in. Criminologists are trained professionals who look at the individual as well as the society when studying crime. A good starting point for an aspiring Criminologist is a bachelor’s degree in psychology or sociology. Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology or criminal justice is a logical place to start gaining the skills needed to succeed in a career as a criminologist. People currently in law enforcement, corrections or related field, earning a bachelor's degree may be the only additional education needed to pursue a career as a criminologist. Those looking to do research or teach the profession will need either masters and/or a doctorate degree in the above majors. Each state is different so, look into the state’s criminologists licensure requirements. Some states require licensure and others do not. The criminologist must be analytical and detail oriented. This will require knowledge of statistics. Statistics can help predict criminal behavior from incomplete information. Criminologists must also be...
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...Legal and Forensic Psychology Michael Betters Keiser University Legal and Forensic Psychology Abstract Legal and forensic psychologists are often torn between fulfilling their duties as a legal and forensic workers in the criminal justice system, and adhering to the ethical obligations to their clients as psychologists. This paper explores the dilemma faced by legal and forensic psychologists in carrying out their day-to-day roles as officials in the criminal justice system and in upholding their professional ethics as psychologists. The paper begins with an introduction of the main controversy surrounding the role of legal and forensic psychologists to the criminal justice systems (Day, 2014). It then describes some of the typical dilemmas faced by legal and forensic psychologists in the course of their work. The paper concludes with a discussion on the implications of the dilemmas faced by legal and forensic psychologists in the criminal justice system. Introduction Legal and forensic psychologists are a special type of psychologists who are often charged with the responsibility of standing as expert witnesses in court proceedings. The duties, roles, and responsibilities of legal and forensic psychologists in legal matters are strikingly different from those of an ordinary psychologist. It is paramount for legal and forensic psychologists to recognize the obligations as well as the limitations of their obligations when appearing as witnesses in court proceedings...
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...which endeavored to clarify criminal behavior. These categories are Psychological, sociological and Biological speculations. All three theories attempted to make great efforts to establish credibility and dependability. In spite of the fact that ideas that included crime causation and establishment of current criminology started with a basic and reasonable methodology of classic criminology. Recognizing the reason for criminal behavior from the hypothesis stance turned into a particular and significant assignment of criminology. Classic theorists accepted that criminal conduct is represented by an independent and free choice and their perspectives were simply philosophical. Enrico Ferri, an Italian Criminologist Suggested a characterization of criminal sorts. These classifications were: • Born or instinctive • The insane • The passionate • The involuntary • The occasional • The habitual...
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...exactly is a white collar crime and a blue collar crime. Lastly the paper will discuss the differences between index-one and index-two crimes as defined by the UCR. Media Portrayal of Crime Introduction With the prevalence of crime being portrayed in the media world, it can be difficult for the modern American to decipher all the aspects of crime. Criminology, the study of crime and its causes, is a excellent way to find out just what makes a criminals mind tick. Although it may be hard to know just what makes a person commit a crime, having a better understanding of the base of criminal justice aspects may be of assistance. Criminologists, Criminalists, and Forensic Psychologists With a plethora of jobs out there relating to the field of criminal justice, it may become overwhelming to try and decide who does what and how they do it. To have a better understanding of such fields one must know exactly what each field does separately from the other. A criminologist uses sociological theories and methods to study criminal behavior and how societies respond to crime (Hall, 2010). This means the criminologist seeks to find out the mentality behind a crime and how that thinking affects the society as a whole. By creating theories as to why of how this crime was committed the criminologist can form a wide array of possible answers for the crime. A criminologist would most likely be in an office but regularly would attend a crime scene to interview witnesses and others to...
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...Stefanie Dean CJS/230 May 26, 2013 Martin Grill Rehabilitation Although many individuals consider rehabilitation as a form of humane punishment for criminal offenders, it is actually a means of therapy rather than punishment. The objective of rehabilitation is to reform the offender so that he or she can return to the free world with the ability to lead a productive life free of crime. The rehabilitative ideal views criminal behavior as similar to a disease which should be treated with the scientific methods available in order to “cure” the offender. Many criminals suffer from mental and physical ailments, drug addiction, and limited opportunities to become successful; these issues increase the likelihood that they will eventually engage in criminal activity. If we merely incarcerate them while they “pay their debt to society”, they will most likely return to society only with additional difficulties; without the proper tools to know how to live appropriately. The additional difficulties gained from incarceration are: a criminal record that impacts the opportunity for employment, they will be older and still without marketable skills or the education needed, social relationships as well as social skills may have deteriorated during the time spent incarcerated and they may have become acclimated to the criminal environment and culture. Incarcerating offenders may actually increase recidivism rates. A rehabilitative approach, as opposed to a punitive approach, would...
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...The Court’s Administration: An Analysis of the Roles in the Process of Criminal Trial The Court’s Administration: An Analysis of the Roles in the Process of Criminal Trial Criminal procedure is the process of investigating, prosecuting, and punishing crimes (Scheb & Sharma, 2013). Criminal procedure includes law enforcement activities, including the arrest, interrogation, and identification of suspects. Criminal procedure also involves a process of criminal trial, in which a person is tried for their crime. The trial process can be extensive, but criminal charges can also be settled in the pretrial process. The pretrial process largely determines the outcome of a criminal case; most criminal cases never make it to trial. Charges against the defendant may be dropped or dismissed due to a lack of evidence. The defendant may also plead guilty without trial. Many guilty pleas result from plea negotiations between the prosecutors and defendant or defense attorneys. This pretrial process makes a formal criminal trial unnecessary (Scheb & Sharma, 2013). There are various roles in the criminal trial process, including the judge, the prosecuting attorneys, the jury, and the expert witnesses such as forensic psychologists. The assortment of roles has a high effect on the outcome for the defendant. A prosecutor is responsible for determining what charges to pursue and whether to plea bargain with the defendant. A jury decides a verdict. A judge decides a sentence. A forensic...
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...Brandon Booth Professor Kassel Criminal Justice 1010 November 26, 2014 Probation Officer Interview I sat down with Linda Wycherley who is now a retired probation Officer. She worked for the Department Of Corrections for over twenty years. I learned a lot of information from sitting down with her and talking about being a probation officer. The difference between probation and parole is quite simple. Probation is when you are placed on supervision living within the community through a probation agency, usually in exchange for jail time. Probation offenders are usually required to satisfy certain requirements of their probation. Failure to adhere to any conditions will result in jail time. Parole is when the offender is released from...
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...Ethics are of two types, Consequence-based and Rule-based. Consequence-based are less reliable in the long run. Rule-based ethics are of two types, Value-based and Rights-based. Our Constitution, and the laws derived from it, is based on the rights asserted in the Declaration of Independence. Whom to study? Criminal justice system Definition The criminal justice system consists of three main parts: (1) Legislative (create laws); (2) adjudication (courts); and (3) corrections (jails, prisons, probation and parole). In the criminal justice system, these distinct agencies operate together both under the rule of law and as the principal means of maintaining the rule of law within society. For the purposes of section 8(6) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and section 194A(6) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, the criminal justice system includes, in particular, the investigation of offences and the treatment of offenders. How to study? Criminologists study abnormal social behavior and use that knowledge to predict how criminals will behave. They also develop a suspect profile from evidence gathered by on-scene investigators. (Think of the TV shows "Criminal Minds" and "The Profiler.") Their work involves both solving crimes and preventing them. Criminologists usually work for local police, state or federal government agencies, although some do their research for private companies. If the workings of the human mind fascinate you, and you...
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...“You are majoring in Criminal Justice? You must want to be a police officer” are the words I hear from almost every new person that I meet in college. I quietly reply to each one saying that no, I don’t want to be a police officer, but a lawyer. I understand that the police force is a very common occupation in the Criminal Justice system, and I know that these newcomers do not know anything about my personality and dreams for my future. I cannot judge them for assuming my anticipated occupation. It does, however, bother me on the inside that the major I am studying has a label, or should I say badge, on it because that is not what I want to be at all. I want to be a criminal defense lawyer and represent wrongly convicted death row prisoners. This occupation is completely different than a police officer. I struggle to accept the fact that majors and careers are not identical, and I can become a lawyer and still major in Criminal Justice....
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...Social Psychology Concept Matrix Donna Conahan Dr. Marina Stakic PSY110008VA016-1134-001 May 3, 2013 Social Psychology Concept | Definition | Application to SocietyProvide Example | Application to Criminal JusticeProvide Example | Application to the IndividualProvide Example | Survey Research | Survey research begins with a set of well-defined structured statements and/or questions that have been given to a select group of people allowing for the mathematical measurement of personal beliefs, attitudes, values and/or behavioral tendencies. | An example of a survey that would be applicable to society would be the issues and effects of marital separation that brings about disruption in the household and negatively affects the children as well as the spouses ability to cope and adjust which ultimately prevents reconciliation thereby leads to divorce. | An example of a survey that applies to criminal justice would be a survey that addresses how to change the public’s opinions and attitudes toward the criminal justices system. This survey would include the common criminal acts in their community, how they are currently being handled, what would like to see in the way of changing their community, what their expectations are of the local police, the changes they would like to see with how the police and criminal justice system handle these perpetrators. | Due to today’s economic hard times, I think a great survey could be how this nation’s economy has brought about...
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...rehabilitation and job training programs, as ordered by the court. It is the probation and parole officer's main goal to keep offenders from repeating past crimes or violating parole and ending up returning to prison. Convicted criminals are often placed on probation in lieu of prison sentences. Individuals who've completed their prison sentences often get placed on parole after being released. While on probation or parole, convicted criminals are required to remain drug free, refrain from committing crimes, and adhere to other requirements. Parole officers have similar responsibilities as probation officers, but parole officers monitor released prison inmates, while probation officers assist individuals serving probation sentences rather than prison sentences. Parole and probation officers are responsible for supervising people serving parole and probation sentences. While serving probation or parole sentences, some offenders are required to wear electronic anklets to keep track of where they spend their time. Probation and parole officers assist the people they supervise obtain vocational training and drug rehabilitation counseling. Probation and parole officers typically hold bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, social work, or correctional counseling. Officers employed by federal government agencies are required to acquire 2 years of relevant work experience. Legal jurisdictions require most probation officers and some correctional...
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