FOR31600/FOR3160 - Introduction to the Criminal Personality

(3 units)

This course will examine the multiple factors and antecedent events that are involved in crime and the criminal mind executing the crime. These factors and events include the intent, the plan, the type of criminal, the type of victim, and the crime scene. The manner in which a crime is performed expresses the psychological pattern, makeup, and expression of the individual performing it. Criminal investigative analysis, or criminal personality profiling, examines and identifies the subtle habits, psychological traits, and personality variables associated with criminal activity. These variables and traits will be explored in the context of understanding the personality and behavioral descriptors of an offender who often commits heinous crimes such as serial homicide, sex crimes leading to criminal homicide, arson, bombings, ritualistic crimes that include torture, child abduction, kidnapping, child molestation, and bank robbery.