CRIM 2410 - Crime Causation

Credit Hours: 3.00

Objectives: 

1. Identify the elements of and examine examples of the strain theory in current literature.
2. Identify the elements of and distinguish cultural deviance theories by looking at group behavior such as gangs.
3. Identify the elements of and look intensively at subcultures of gang behavior.
4. Identify the elements of social control theory and discuss important social groups and how they affect human behavior.
5. Identify the elements of labeling, conflict, and radical theories and assess these theories’ relationships to juvenile justice and current political ideologies.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to analyze major biological and psychological explanations of crime.

Objectives: 

1. Identify early biological theories of Cesare, Lombroso, Hooten, Ferri, and Garofalo and discuss the implication of such theories on the criminal justice system and defenses offered in courts of law.
2. Identify genetic theories of criminality and discuss the implications of free will contrasted with genetic control of behavior.
3. Identify biochemical factors of criminality and discuss the impact of environmental issues on personal behavior.
4. Identify neurophysiological factors of criminality and discuss current research on brain wiring.
5. Identify major elements of psychological theories of criminality; assess these theories in light of criminal responsibility and the insanity defense; and assess the competency to stand trial with respect to psychological theories of criminality.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to define profiling, identify the methodology used in criminal profiling, and demonstrate in writing the analytical process used in creating a criminal profile.

Objectives: 

1. Identify how elements of inputs shape a profile and its individual importance.
2. Identify elements of risk related to victims and perpetrators and discuss the theory of victim precipitation.
3. Identify elements of analysis of data; discuss how officers assess data found at crime scenes; and discuss the sample utilized by the FBI in developing profiling techniques.
4. Identify elements of collection of data, identify police means of data collection, and compare studies of academic researchers.
5. Identify the process of profiling a defendant and develop a profile based upon learned principles.
6. Demonstrate in writing the ability to analyze a crime scene for clues to the personality of a perpetrator.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Theories
   1. Psychological
   2. Biological
   3. Sociological
2. Crime related to serial killing
   1. Stalking
   2. Arson
   3. Pedophilia
   4. Domestic Violence
   5. Child Abuse
   6. Rape
3. Profiling
   1. FBI
   2. Oakland County Child Killing