Course Outline

CRM201 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence

Course Coordinator:Kelly Hine (khine@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2023Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course exposes students to the role of criminal profiling and investigative analysis within the Criminal Justice System. Attention is given to multidisciplinary approaches and processes involved in criminal profiling and intelligence-led investigation, including crime scene analysis and victimology, to infer motive and characteristics of the perpetrator. Crime examples are used to illustrate the application of these processes from investigation through to corrections. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous online learning material 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Face-to-face tutorials 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous online learning materials 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Live online tutorials 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Example topics include

  • Introduction to Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
  • Current Approaches to Criminal Profiling
  • Profiling the Offender: Offender Background and Characteristics
  • Profiling the Offence: Crime Scene and Offence Analysis
  • Profiling the Victim: Forensic Victimology
  • Offender MO, Signature and Linkage Analysis
  • Inferring Motive: Offender Typologies
  • Serial Cases: Investigating Crime Patterns
  • Intelligence-led investigations: Part 1
  • Intelligence-led investigations: Part 2
  • Profiling on Trial: Expert Testimony, Eyewitness Testimony and Investigative Relevance 

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Explain and critique the role of profiling and intelligence in the criminal justice system, including key components and processes. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Apply profiling techniques to real case examples. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Use your analytical skills to construct a basic criminal profile. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
4 Debate key ethical and practice challenges associated with criminal profiling and intelligence. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
5 Apply scholarly writing, research and reference practice. Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Tutorial/learning materials will include quizzes for early feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 35%
1500 words
Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Written Piece Individual 40%
2500 words
Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 25%
2 hours
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Case Study Development
Goal:
The goal of this assessment is to provide opportunities for you to learn basic profiling techniques and apply these to case examples.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
The written piece will contain key elements of the criminal profile relevant to the case study.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
You will be assessed on the accuracy of your report, your application of relevant knowledge, critical thinking and analysis, and effective communication skills.
2 3
All - Assessment Task 2:Written Criminal Profile
Goal:
The goal of this assessment task is to allow you to synthesise and apply your knowledge and skills developed during the course to construct a written case profile report on a selected case study. In your report, you will be required to demonstrate your ability to research, analyse and apply the key profiling processes to produce your case formulation.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
This task will require you to use basic assessment and case formulation skills to write a formal criminal profile report on an assigned case study. You are required to draw on literature to support your methods and formulation.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
You will be assessed on the accuracy of your case report, your application of relevant knowledge, critical thinking and analysis, and effective communication skills
2 3 5
All - Assessment Task 3:Exam
Goal:
In this task, you will demonstrate your knowledge of the course concepts in response to examination questions.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format:
Online exam
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Correct answers to examination questions
1 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Brent E. Turvey 2012 Criminal Profiling 4th ed Elsevier

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Administration of Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Academic Misconduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au