This unit contains mature or sensitive content and may not be suitable for some students.
Offender Profiling
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ2112020
Course information for 2020 intake
Understand the key processes in this field where evidence is used to infer characteristics about a perpetrator. Explore law enforcement, forensic science, academic and clinical psychology, reconstruction, modus operandi and ethics.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Offender Profiling
About this subject
After successfully completing this subject students should be able to:
- Knowledge of the evolution of profiling and an understanding of it as a multidisciplinary endeavour encompassing law enforcement, psychology, psychiatry, forensic science, and geography.
- Critical analysis and evaluation of the main approaches to profiling including; criminal investigative analysis, investigative psychology, diagnostic evaluations, crime action profiling, geographic profiling, and behavioural evidence analysis.
- Knowledge, understanding, and practical application of profiling processes including; crime reconstruction, identifying modus operandi and signature, linkage analysis, victimology, and inferring offender characteristics.
- Synthesis of profiling approaches and processes to construct a profile, and critically evaluate its accuracy and utility.
- Critical analysis and evaluation of the accuracy of offender profiling; and an understanding of the ethical implications of prediction.
- Knowledge of new or potential applications of offender profiling including terrorism and expert evidence.
- Offender Profiling: An Overview and Its Evolution
- Law Enforcement: Criminal Investigative Analysis (CIA)
- Forensic Science: Behavioral Evidence Analysis (BEA)
- Academic Psychology: Investigative Psychology (IP)
- Clinical Psychology: Crime Action Profiling (CAP)
- Clinical Approaches: Diagnostic Evaluations (DE)
- Crime Reconstruction
- MO, Linkage Analysis, Signature
- Victimology
- Offender Characteristics and Content
- Geographic Profiling (GP)
- Accuracy and Ethics & Course Review
Designed as an introduction to profiling, the subject exposes students to the key approaches and processes in the field, drawing on the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, criminology, geography, and forensic science. There is a strong focus on the higher order thinking skills of critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
Offender profiling is broadly defined to include the collection of practices in which evidence, usually from the crime scene, victims, and/or witnesses, is used to infer characteristics about the perpetrator. If accurate, this information is useful in informing investigative strategies by reducing the suspect pool, and interrogation strategies by providing some psychological insight into the suspect. Offender profiling is a multidisciplinary endeavour, with law enforcement, behavioural scientists, social scientists and forensic scientists all involved in its evolution.
*** WARNING*** This subject contains extremely graphic descriptions and photographic evidence of victims (both adults and children) of serial and ritualistic killers. The material will be disturbing. Students who are made uncomfortable by depictions of violence, sadism, torture and mutilation may have a difficult time in this subject and should consider taking a different elective.- Invigilated Exam (40%)
- Summarize article (20%)
- Constructing a Profile (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
Entry requirements
Others
This is not an introductory subject. You should complete a number of other first year subjects.
Students who have completed more than 2 OUA units (GPA 4.0+) and are planning on completing the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice are strongly encouraged to enrol in the degree. Part of this process will involve registering your study plan with Griffith University, which will help to ensure that you are studying the required units.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.