Instructor: Richard Niebusch                                               Email: richard.niebusch@cwu.edu

Serial recidivism represents a serious threat to public safety. Those that engage in serial crimes garner great public interest and for some, pseudo-celebrity status. Numerous popular television dramas examine the analysis of both serialists, their crimes and those that attempt to apprehend them. This course examines and applies the ‘profiling’ art form and the traits and conditions that are common to such offenders to include psychopathy, narcissism, and deception(s). Course material includes examinations of ‘real world’ serial offenders, background and the application of the ‘profiling’ art form, as well as an examination of deception as a common trait of such offenders.

Catalog Description:
This course explores and examines the use of profiles in contemporary policing with a focus on violent crimes. The discussions and readings examine what criminal profiling is, what it accomplishes, and how it is utilized. Criminological theory and applicable research articles are used to examine the legitimacy of profiles and measures deception.

Credits: (5)                                        Prerequisites: PSY 101 or SOC 107.

Disciplinary Scope:   Criminology – Psychology – Sociology – Victimology

Look for it:    Winter – Spring