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PSY 310 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of an executive summary report. You will write a summary, conduct a crime assessment, and create a profile of a criminal. You will then develop a
conclusion and consider the investigative use of the information you have compiled. Criminal psychology encompasses a wide range of information about someone which can be drawn
together, synthesized, and written into a format used by the criminal justice system prior to an arrest. Typically, criminal psychologists are called upon to provide advice and consultation when
the crimes are not straightforward. Law enforcement officers are experts at tracking data and looking for crime-related clues to help them solve a case. However, when they need assistance
determining who a criminal is, or what a criminal’s motivation might be—in a predictive sense—they rely on the capabilities of professionals who are versed both in criminology and psychology.
A criminal profile emerges as data comes together. This is not the same as the information you see on the news; rather, it is a comprehensive look at the biological, psychological, social, and
environmental factors that make a person unique to a criminal case. Some of the information is based on empirical data and some is based on educated assumptions made by the criminal
psychologist.
In this executive summary report, you will look at a variety of factors and work to answer the question “who is this person?” You will examine criminal statistics, lifestyle, upbringing, medical
and mental health information, along with a range of other information, that will help you answer the “who, what, when, where, and why” of your chosen case. It will be your job to draw from
your previous education and training to learn how to understand what information is relevant to your case. There is no piece of information that is too small to help you build the mosaic of how
past activity can help predict future activity. Your profile will be thorough, addressing all of the areas and questions above for the aim of assisting investigators to understand the criminal and
his or her motivations and motives as well as the risk of the criminal activity continuing in the future. Through prompts and independent research outside of the text, you’ll peer into the world
of investigative profiling.
The project is divided into two milestonestwo milestonestwo milestonestwo milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be
submitted in Modules Three and Five. Modules Three and Five. Modules Three and Five. Modules Three and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.Module Seven.Module Seven.Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Assess biological, developmental, and environmental factors to determine the impact on criminal behavior
Apply relevant psychological theories to criminal behavior in order to analyze motivation
Apply psychological methods to the development of a psychological profile that synthesizes relevant data
Determine appropriate intervention strategies related to criminal behavior supported by psychological theory and research
Prompt
You will complete an executive summary report that includes criminal and psychological aspects of a particular crime to inform the executive team in order to prevent or intervene in criminal
behavior. You may choose one of the following three scenarios to complete your final project:
1. White Collar Crime
2. Serial Murder
3. Domestic Terror
Specifically, you must address the critical elements critical elements critical elements critical elements listed below. Most of the critical elements align with a particular course outcome (shown in brackets).
I. SummarySummarySummarySummary
A. Summarize the case Summarize the case Summarize the case Summarize the case provided. In your summary, include key facts and demographic information.
B. Develop initial hypothesis initial hypothesis initial hypothesis initial hypothesis about the potential motivation to commit the crime. As you consider the motivation, identify the type of crime that was committed.
II. Crime AssessmentCrime AssessmentCrime AssessmentCrime Assessment
A. Compare Compare Compare Compare data and evidence of similar crimes.
B. Identify patterns Identify patterns Identify patterns Identify patterns found in similar crimes.
C. Make inferences about motivation motivation motivation motivation of the identified individual based on case evidence and comparison to similar crimes.
III. ProfileProfileProfileProfile
A. Develop a demographic summary demographic summary demographic summary demographic summary of the individual based on analysis of data from the case.
B. Explain the impact that biological factors biological factors biological factors biological factors of the case had on the individual’s behavior.
C. Explain the impact that developmental factors developmental factors developmental factors developmental factors of the case had on the individual’s behavior.
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D. Explain the impact that environmental factors environmental factors environmental factors environmental factors of the case had on the individual’s behavior.
E. Apply theories Apply theories Apply theories Apply theories to the emerging hypothesis of the motivation of your chosen subject. In your response, consider the biological, psychological, social, and criminal violence
theories.
IV. Conclusion and Investigative UseConclusion and Investigative UseConclusion and Investigative UseConclusion and Investigative Use
A. Develop a global summary global summary global summary global summary based on a synthesis of the inputs, crime assessment, and profile.
B. Anticipate future behavior future behavior future behavior future behavior based on predictive analysis.
C. Develop intervention strategies intervention strategies intervention strategies intervention strategies to mitigate future criminal behavior. Be sure to explain how your strategies will impact future behavior.
D. Discuss l imitations l imitations l imitations l imitations of data to developing your report. In your response, consider the information that was missing that you wish you had and reliability and validity of the data you
reviewed.
E. Based on your report, discuss how the information collected contributed to the capture, understanding, and prosecution capture, understanding, and prosecution capture, understanding, and prosecution capture, understanding, and prosecution of the individual.
Milestones
Milestone One: Summary and Crime Assessment
In Module ThreeModule ThreeModule ThreeModule Three, you will submit a draft of your summary and crime assessment. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Profile
In Module FiveModule FiveModule FiveModule Five, you will submit a draft of the profile. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Final Submission: Executive Summary Report
In Module SevenModule SevenModule SevenModule Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all all all all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of
feedback gained throughout the course. You will add the conclusion and investigative use section to the final project submission. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.
What to Submit
Your executive summary report must be no more than 10 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must be written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New
Roman font, and one-inch margins. Include at least five references cited in APA format.
Final Project Rubric
CriteriaCriteriaCriteriaCriteria Exemplary (100%)Exemplary (100%)Exemplary (100%)Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%)Proficient (85%)Proficient (85%)Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%)Needs Improvement (55%)Needs Improvement (55%)Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%)Not Evident (0%)Not Evident (0%)Not Evident (0%) ValueValueValueValue
Summary: SummarizeSummary: SummarizeSummary: SummarizeSummary: Summarize
the Casethe Casethe Casethe Case
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
response demonstrates an
advanced ability to distill key
details from a provided case
study
Summarizes the case study and
includes key facts and
demographic information
Summarizes the case study but
summary is missing key facts or
demographic information
Does not summarize the case
study
6
Summary: InitialSummary: InitialSummary: InitialSummary: Initial
HypothesisHypothesisHypothesisHypothesis
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
response demonstrates a
sophisticated awareness of the
potential motivation to commit
the crime
Develops initial hypothesis
about the potential motivation
to commit the crime
Develops initial hypothesis
about the potential motivation
to commit the crime but the
hypothesis is cursory or lacks
detail
Does not develop an initial
hypothesis about the potential
motivation to commit the crime
8
Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:
CompareCompareCompareCompare
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
comparison is exceptionally
clear and includes exceptional
detail
Compares data and evidence of
similar crimes
Compares data and evidence of
similar crimes but comparison
is cursory or contains
inaccuracies
Does not compare data and
evidence of similar crimes
6
Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:
Identify PatternsIdentify PatternsIdentify PatternsIdentify Patterns
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates keen ability to
identify patterns
Identifies patterns found in
similar crimes
Identifies patterns found in
similar crimes but response is
cursory or illogical or lacks
detail
Does not identify patterns
found in similar crimes
6
Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:Crime Assessment:
MotivationMotivationMotivationMotivation
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
inferences show advanced
ability to draw connections
from evidence in multiple cases
Draws inferences about the
motivation of the individual to
commit the crime based on
evidence in multiple cases
Draws inferences about the
motivation of the individual to
commit the crime but response
is cursory or illogical or lacks
detail
Does not draw inferences
about the motivation of the
individual to commit the crime
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Profile: DemographicProfile: DemographicProfile: DemographicProfile: Demographic
SummarySummarySummarySummary
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
response demonstrates an
exceptionally detailed
summary.
Develops a demographic
summary of the individual
based on analysis of data from
the case
Develops a demographic
summary of the individual
based on analysis of data from
the case but the demographic
summary of the individual is
cursory or lacks detail
Does not analyze data from the
case to develop a demographic
summary of the individual
6
Profile: BiologicalProfile: BiologicalProfile: BiologicalProfile: Biological
FactorsFactorsFactorsFactors
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
response demonstrates an
insightful ability to assess the
impact of biological factors
Explains the impact that
biological factors of the case
had on the individual’s behavior
Explains the impact that
biological factors of the case
had on the individual’s behavior
but explanation lacks sufficient
detail
Does not explain the impact
that biological factors of the
case had on the individual’s
behavior
6
Profile: DevelopmentalProfile: DevelopmentalProfile: DevelopmentalProfile: Developmental
FactorsFactorsFactorsFactors
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
response demonstrates an
insightful ability to assess the
impact of developmental
factors
Explains the impact that
developmental factors of the
case had on the individual’s
behavior
Explains the impact that
developmental factors of the
case had on the individual’s
behavior but explanation lacks
sufficient detail
Does not explain the impact
that developmental factors of
the case had on the individual’s
behavior
6
Profile: EnvironmentalProfile: EnvironmentalProfile: EnvironmentalProfile: Environmental
FactorsFactorsFactorsFactors
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
response demonstrates an
insightful ability to assess the
impact of environmental
factors
Explains the impact that
environmental factors of the
case had on the individual’s
behavior
Explains the impact that
environmental factors of the
case had on the individual’s
behavior but explanation lacks
sufficient detail
Does not explain the impact
that environmental factors of
the case had on the individual’s
behavior
6
Profile: Apply TheoriesProfile: Apply TheoriesProfile: Apply TheoriesProfile: Apply Theories Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
complex grasp of the
application of theories to the
hypothesis of motivation
Applies theories to the
emerging hypothesis of
motivation for the identified
individual
Applies theories to the
emerging hypothesis of
motivation for the identified
individual but response is
missing key theories
Does not apply theories to the
emerging hypothesis of
motivation for the identified
individual
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Conclusion andConclusion andConclusion andConclusion and
Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:
Global SummaryGlobal SummaryGlobal SummaryGlobal Summary
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates an advanced
ability to synthesize key details
Develops global summary
based on a synthesis of the
inputs, crime assessment, and
profile
Develops global summary but
summary is missing key
elements or lacks clear
synthesis of details
Does not develop global
summary based on a synthesis
of the inputs, crime assessment,
and profile
6
Conclusion andConclusion andConclusion andConclusion and
Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:
Future BehaviorFuture BehaviorFuture BehaviorFuture Behavior
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates keen insight into
the application of predictive
analysis
Anticipates future behavior of
individual based on predictive
analysis
Anticipates future behavior of
individual based on predictive
analysis but response is cursory
or illogical or lacks detail
Does not anticipate future
behavior of individual based on
predictive analysis
6
Conclusion andConclusion andConclusion andConclusion and
Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:
Intervention StrategiesIntervention StrategiesIntervention StrategiesIntervention Strategies
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a nuanced
understanding of how
intervention strategies mitigate
future criminal behavior
Develops intervention
strategies, explaining how they
will mitigate future criminal
behavior
Develops intervention
strategies to mitigate this
behavior in the future but
interventions are not applied
appropriately or lack
justification
Does not develop intervention
strategies to mitigate future
criminal behavior
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Conclusion andConclusion andConclusion andConclusion and
Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:
LimitationsLimitationsLimitationsLimitations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
sophisticated awareness of the
case details
Discusses limitations of data in
developing the report
Discusses limitations to
developing the report but
response is cursory or illogical
or lacks detail
Does not discuss limitations to
developing the report
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Conclusion andConclusion andConclusion andConclusion and
Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:Investigative Use:
Capture, Understanding,Capture, Understanding,Capture, Understanding,Capture, Understanding,
and Prosecutionand Prosecutionand Prosecutionand Prosecution
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a sophisticated
understanding of how the
report contributed to the
capture, understanding, and
prosecution of the individual
Discusses how the information
collected contributed to the
capture, understanding, and
prosecution of the individual
Discusses how the information
collected contributed to the
capture, understanding, and
prosecution of the individual
but description is cursory,
illogical, or lacks detail
Does not discuss how the
information collected
contributed to the capture,
understanding, and prosecution
of the individual
6
Articulation of ResponseArticulation of ResponseArticulation of ResponseArticulation of Response Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented
in a professional and easy-to-
read format
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main idea
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
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Total:Total:Total:Total: 100%
