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 criminals motivation might bein a predictive sensethey 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, youll peer into the world of investigative profiling.

The project is divided into two 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. The final product will be submitted in 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:

Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below. Most of the critical elements align with a particular course outcome (shown in brackets).

1. Summary
2. Summarize the case provided. In your summary, include key facts and demographic information.
3. Develop initial hypothesis about the potential motivation to commit the crime. As you consider the motivation, identify the type of crime that was committed.
4. Crime Assessment
5. Compare data and evidence of similar crimes.
6. Identify patterns found in similar crimes.
7. Make inferences about motivation of the identified individual based on case evidence and comparison to similar crimes.
8. Profile
9. Develop a demographic summary of the individual based on analysis of data from the case.
10. Explain the impact that biological factors of the case had on the individuals behavior.
11. Explain the impact that developmental factors of the case had on the individuals behavior.
12. Explain the impact that environmental factors of the case had on the individuals behavior.
13. 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.
14. Conclusion and Investigative Use
15. Develop a global summary based on a synthesis of the inputs, crime assessment, and profile.
16. Anticipate future behavior based on predictive analysis.
17. Develop intervention strategies to mitigate future criminal behavior. Be sure to explain how your strategies will impact future behavior.
18. Discuss limitations 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.
19. Based on your report, discuss how the information collected contributed to the capture, understanding, and prosecution of the individual.

Milestones

Milestone One: Summary and Crime Assessment

In Module Three, you will submit a draft of your summary and crime assessment. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: Profile

In Module Five, you will submit a draft of the profile. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.

Final Submission: Executive Summary Report

In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing 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

Discussion [HINT]: You may wish to review the various articles in this week’s readings on crime labs to broaden your knowledge on this topic. 1) Visit the FBI website and search for the crime laboratory. What services are provided to law enforcement by the lab? 2) Pick one of the FBI services provided and create a request for analysis of specific evidence collected at a fictional crime scene. What testing would you request the FBI lab to do for your case? 3) Review these “body farm” videos and discuss what you found to be interesting. FBI Marks 20 Years of Training at ‘Body Farm’ Bodies of Research: Welcome To The Body Farm

Must be free from grammatical errors and bypass all AI detection. APA 7th style formatting, double spaced.

1. Each of the various official measures of delinquency presents a different view of juvenile offending. Discuss the UCR findings related to juvenile offending patterns in terms of total numbers of offenses, information on various demographic and crime related characteristics. (Be specific). (1B). What is the ‘behavior continuum’ as it relates to juvenile offenders? (Be specific).

2. What do the Monitoring the Future Survey and the National Youth Survey each tell us about juvenile delinquency? (Be specific). (2B) Discuss the changes occurring to the juvenile justice system starting from 1920 to the 19860s. What was significant about the ‘due process period’? (Be specific).

3. Discuss the differences between the Classical and Positivistic Schools of Criminology. Who were some of the key philosophers withing each school and what did they advocate for? (Be specific). (3B) Briefly discuss the Ex parte Crouse and People v. Turner cases and their significance within the juvenile justice system. (Be specific).

4. Describe William Sheldons body types and how each related to criminality. What is your opinion on Sheldon’s theory? (Be specific). (4B) What role do biological factors play in explaining juvenile delinquency? (Be specific and give examples).

5. You have been selected to serve on a commission that will set the tone for future directions in juvenile justice. You have the opportunity to advocate an underlying theory. Which sociological theory will you advocate for, and why is it the best possible approach for guiding the juvenile justice system? Present strengths and weaknesses from your choice. (Be specific). (5B). The labeling perspective owes much to the ideas of symbolic interactionism. Define and discuss the concept of symbolic interactionism. (Be specific).

Instructions

1. You will have one week to complete Ex I Essay Questions. The questions come from the textbook and our video presentations. Ex I covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4.
2. Write out each question first before answering it. You may cut and paste. Highlight the answer to distinguish it from the question. This is not an APA assignment no citations required.
3. Each question is worth 5 pts. Each question contains multiple questions. In order to receive full credit, you must answer each question. Make sure you answer each question completely/thoroughly.
4. All answers must be submitted online THROUGH THE DISCUSSIONS LINK by the due date. The link will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. DO NOT SUBMIT AN ATTACHMENT.
5. One submission per student!!
6. YOU WILL LOSE POINTS IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!!!
7. See below for example of format:

1. Each of the various official measures of delinquency presents a different view of juvenile offending. Discuss the UCR findings related to juvenile offending patterns in terms of total numbers of offenses, information on various demographic and crime related characteristics. A: The UCR originates from the FBI….. (1B). What is the ‘behavior continuum’ as it relates to juvenile offenders? A: The behavior continuum is a model that highlights the amount of youth involved in ……..

Open a word document – papers must be typed in a word format only Use the APA 7th edition Template – See below Includes a cover page Includes a separate page for references which should only include the textbook, Cognella video and the link below 12 font double spaced Find evidence in Sections 1 & 5 of the textbook to support fraud charges against textbook scenario characters Identify at least two types of fraud from Section 6, include the exact pages of the textbook where the information was discussed Find evidence from Sections 1 & 5 by specifying the characters actions to support a fraud charge and explain why For example, in Section 5, page x, the characters are seen ….. which supports a type of fraud as discussed in Section 6, pages xxx Find evidence from Sections 1 & 5 to support charges against the RICO elements discussed in Figure 5 Essential Components of RICO Must include examples from the characters actions from Sections 1 & 5 that illustrates each of the elements shown in Figure 5 Essential Components of RICO For example, evidence of element 1 from Figure 5 Essential Components of RICO is demonstrated by the character’s actions when they …… as seen in Section 5 page x

What ethical considerations should researchers embarking on a mixed methods project be aware of?

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• Sources are listed in two places.
• The first, a citation, is briefly listed within your answer. This includes identifying information that directs the reader to your list of references at the end of your writing assignment.
• The second, a reference, is at the end of your work in the list of references section.
• All sources cited should follow APA style and provide enough identifying information so that the reader can access the original material.

(S) The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Ronet D. Bachman, Russell K. Schutt, 2023

Sage Publishing

ISBN.13: 978-1-071-85779-3

Imagine that you are conducting a study of an inner city that is ethnically and racially diverse. Explain why using stratified random sampling would be better than using simple random sampling.

.

• Sources are listed in two places.
• The first, a citation, is briefly listed within your answer. This includes identifying information that directs the reader to your list of references at the end of your writing assignment.
• The second, a reference, is at the end of your work in the list of references section.
• All sources cited should follow APA style and provide enough identifying information so that the reader can access the original material.

(S) The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Ronet D. Bachman, Russell K. Schutt, 2023

Sage Publishing

ISBN.13: 978-1-071-85779-3

Summarize the term theory, according to the textbook, and discuss its role in research.

.

• Sources are listed in two places.
• The first, a citation, is briefly listed within your answer. This includes identifying information that directs the reader to your list of references at the end of your writing assignment.
• The second, a reference, is at the end of your work in the list of references section.
• All sources cited should follow APA style and provide enough identifying information so that the reader can access the original material.

(S) The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Ronet D. Bachman, Russell K. Schutt, 2023

Sage Publishing

ISBN.13: 978-1-071-85779-3