Lesson Structure – Advanced Diploma in Criminal Studies VPS312

Core Modules
These modules provide foundation knowledge for the Advanced Diploma in Criminal Studies.
*  Please click on each module to view lesson topics.

1. Introduction to Forensics BSC114
2.  Legal Terminology BWR108
3.  Research Project I BGN102
4.  Criminal Profiling BPS227
5.  Criminal Psychology BPS309

Elective Modules
In addition to the core modules, students study any 4 of the following 11 modules.

• Cyber Security VIT103
• Workshop I BGN103
• Anxiety Management BPS224
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health BPS214
• Conflict Management BPS201
• Ethics BPS217
• Information Security BIT203
• Investigative Techniques BWR208
• Managing Mental Health in Adults BPS216
• Security Management BBS213
• Social Psychology I BPS205

  Please Note:  The Advanced Diploma in Criminal Studies is comprised of 9 modules.  Each module can be studied independently.

PROFILING METHODS – TWO APPROACHES

As it evolved, there were two main approaches to criminal profiling.

• Top-down
• Bottom-up

Top Down:
The top-down approach is how the Americans originally approached criminal profiling. It was pioneered by the Behavioural Science Unit (BSU) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI), known simply as the FBI BSU. Data is gathered at the crime scene.

The investigators attempt to identify characteristics of the offender. They then characterise the offender as organised or disorganised. It aims to fit the crime into preexisting categories.

Bottom Up:
The bottom-up approach is how the British originally approached criminal profiling using investigative psychology. The aim is to start with small details, that are often overlooked, to create a big picture. They do not make assumptions about the offender.

This approach relies heavily on computer databases and statistics.

Nomothetic vs. Idiographic Profiling
Another way of considering criminal profiling is its method of reasoning.

Nomothetic – nomothetic reasoning uses induction to infer characteristics about offenders. Studies and research are based on observations of groups. This data is then used to put probable offenders into similar groups. The goal of nomothetic profiling is to figure out averaged characteristics of offender groups.

Idiographic – idiographic reasoning uses deduction to infer characteristics about offenders. Studies and research are based on individuals. The goal of idiographic profiling is to figure out the characteristics of a specific offender who has committed a specific crime.

Nomothetic approaches are based on the theories of behavioural consistency and homology.

• Behavioural consistency – the offender will tend to have many ideas that are similar i.e., they will do the same thing during different offences.
• Homology – the idea that similar crimes are committed by similar criminals i.e.,

Nomothetic profiling suggests that criminal behaviour is determined by an individual’s personality, not by situations and events.

However, both behavioural consistency and homology are limited theories. Idiographic approaches have shown that situational variables do influence the crime scene behaviour of specific individuals. To infer conclusions about offender-situation interactions, it is important to reconstruct the crime scene or event.

Individuals behave differently over time, and in different settings. Therefore, behavioural consistency is not a reliable theory and not reliably predictive.

Nomothetic approaches can be especially problematic when they are used to make inferences about individual offenders in specific cases because they are relying on averages rather than specifics. Nomothetic inferences are based on predictions rather than conclusions.

Organised and Disorganised Offenders
The FBI BSU approach has evolved into a technique called ‘criminal investigative analysis’. Criminal investigative analysis was defined by Burgess as “an investigative process that identifies the major personality and behavioral characteristics of the offender based on the crimes he or she has committed.”

Initially, the crime scene is categorised as either organised or disorganised by using a checklist of behaviours. Following this, the offender’s characteristics are matched with a list of characteritics associated with an organised or disorganised offender.

• Disorganised offenders:
  • These offenders are more likely to have committed a crime of passion in the past, that is, committed a crime in the heat of the moment.
  • There is often no evidence of premeditation.
  • They are more likely to leave evidence at the scene of the crime, such as blood, semen, fabrics, weapons.
  • They are more likely to be unemployed.
  • They are likely to be less socially competent.
  • Live alone.
  • They often live or work near the crime scene.
  • Tend to have a lower IQ.
  • After the crime, they may return to the crime scene or keep cuttings of the event.
• Organised offenders:
  • Tend to live a more ordered life.
  • Will kill after a critical life event.
  • Commit planned and premeditated crimes.
  • Are likely to bring weapons and ways to restrain the victim.
  • Have higher level intelligence.
  • Are employed.
  • Show signs of premeditation.
  • Are socially adequate, sexually competent.
  • May live with a partner.
  • Can be geographically mobile.
  • Will return to the scene of the crime and may volunteer information about the crime.

From the above, organised offenders are considered psychopathic (they are not mentally ill and know what they are doing), whereas disorganised offenders are considered psychotic (they are mentally ill and have little control over what they are doing).

The FBI’s dichotomy approach of categorising offenders as either organised or disorganised has been criticised for being too simplistic. However, it is useful for people with mainly backgrounds in law enforcement and little study or understanding of psychology, and these were the group that the FBI devised this profiling method for.

It is relatively straightforward for investigators to place perpetrators into either category by analysing details of the crime scene.

Some problems of this approach identified by Turvey et al. include:

• Most crime scenes, and therefore offenders, do not fit neatly into either an organised or disorganised category. There are often elements of both.
• It is not usually possible to accurately determine what happened at a crime scene by an inexperienced person taking a quick look at it and categorising crime scene characteristics. It can be more accurately determined through a process of crime reconstruction.
• It is not possible to infer mental illness from a disorganised crime scene e.g., the perpetrator may have bene angry.
• An organised crime scene does not suggest a psychopathic offender since psychopathy suggests a personality disorder (mental illness) rather than a lack of psychotic behaviour.

In more recent years, the FBI have adopted a more scientific approach by integrating with academics, clinicians, and law enforcers as part of a multidisciplinary profiling strategy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.