CCJ 4934 (1C62) CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CRIMINAL PROFILING
SPRING 2017
The syllabus and all revisions will be posted on canvas
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Michael Capece
Sr. Lecturer
Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Marriage and Family Therapist
Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law
Turlington Hall 3358 - P.O. Box 117330 Gainesville, FL 32611
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Florida
TEACHING ASSISTANT: N/A
OFFICE HOURS:Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday 2:00pm – 4:00pm, or by Appointment
Turlington Hall 3358 – 352.294.7192
Please use Canvas to email me
I am usually on campus all day Mondayand Wednesday. If I am not in the office and you want to meet with me, email me or go to the department office and have Lisandra text me.
CREDIT HOURS: 3
PREREQUISITES: CCJ 3024 and 3LS or 4LS major
CLASS TIME: Monday-Wednesday-Friday Periods 6: 12:50pm – 1:40pm - Little Hall 0121
TEXTS: Holmes, Ronald M. and Stephen T. Holmes. (2009). Profiling Violent Crimes: An Investigative Tool. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Other Readings will be posted to canvas
COURSE DESCRIPTION:A variable topic seminar that examines current issues,
techniques and problems in criminal justice.
Course Objectives and Goals:
1. Students will be introduced and demonstrate their understanding of the methods and tools of criminal profiling – AEB Readings, PowerPoint Lectures, and Exams
2. Students will develop the ability to critically examine and apply the methods and tools of criminal profiling – AEB readings, PowerPoint Lectures and Class Discussions
3. Students will apply Criminological Theories to criminal profiling – AEB Class Discussions and Paper
METHOD OF EVALUATION: There will be three exams. The exams will cover material from the textbook, lectures and class interaction. I will discuss the format of the exams, (multiple choice, short answer, essay), as we get closer to the first exam. If you are more than 15 minutes late for an exam, your grade will be lowered by 10%. All exam dates are tentative and could change depending on the flow of the class. In addition, there will be a paper.
You have two weeks after the due date to review a test/paper.When reviewing your test/paper, please do the following:Do not ask why something is marked incorrect, instead, please make a case as to why you believe something is correct. That means reviewing the test material or paper directions and/or APA formatting guidelines, (please refer to the APA manual that is discussed in the syllabus), and make you argument as to why it is correct. As always, if I made a mistake I will correct it and adjust your grade accordingly.
POINTS
Each test is 120 points (3 tests) = 360
Paper = 60 points
Total Points = 420
378 – 420 = A
336 – 377 = B
294 – 335 = C
252 – 293 = D
< 252 = F
Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points:
READINGS
January 4, 6
- Syllabus Review/Paper/Course Introduction
January 9, 11
- Criminal Profiling Debate Articles
- APA Profiling Articles
January 13, 18
- Theories of Multiple Homicides
January 20, 23
- Chapter 1: Psychological Profiling: An Introduction
January 25, 27
- Chapter 2: Profiling in Fantasy and Fact
- Chapter 3: The Rationale for Psychological Profiling
January 30, February 1
- Serial Killers Video 1 PP
February 3, 6
- Serial Killers Video 2 PP
February 8, 10, 13
- Personality Disorders
February 17
Exam 1
February 15, 20, 22
- Chapter 5: The Analysis of the Crime Scene
February 24, 27
- Chapter 7: Profiling Serial Murderers
February March 1, 3
- Chapter 6: Arson and Psychological Profiling
March 13, 15
- Chapter 8: Psychological Profiling and Rape
March 20
- Exam 2
March 17, 22
- Chapter 9: Pedophilia and Psychological Profiling
March 24, 27, 29
- Video/Book – Mass Murder
- Contagion
March 31, April 3, 5
- Video/Book – Work Mass Murder
April 7, 10, 12
- Video/Book – School Mass Murder
April 14, 17
- Video/Book – Family Mass Murder
April 19
- Exam 3
Grammar, punctuation, and proper use of APA matter in all written assignments. You may of course discuss assignments with others, but you are expected to submit your own independent work. Please be careful about plagiarism; it is easy to “cut and paste” from others’ work. CITE, CITE, CITE! If you take someone else’s ideas, cite it; if you take someone’s words verbatim, use quotation marks and cite it. If you are referring to our text or lecture material, you should also cite it in APA format.
APA Guidelines
The references and citations must be in APA format. For those who have had me in class in the past, you know it is VERY IMPORTANT that you follow the paper directions and APA format VERY carefully. I suggest you buy a copy of A Pocket Style Manual, APA Version/ Edition 7 by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers to help you with APA formatting and your writing skills. I have a copy and it is very helpful.
The following is a list of some major APA/Writing issues that you need to focus on when writing your paper. This IS NOT a complete list of writing/APA issues
1. Do not make factual statements without a citation and a corresponding reference. This includes factual statements that are part of your opinion. In many papers factual statements are made and there are no corresponding citations or the citations come at the very bottom of a long paragraph. Use citations early and often so you are clear to the reader where you gathered the information.
2. When you are citing a source, you must include the author, date AND page numbers – this is for both when you paraphrase AND quote a source. Remember, if you use information (paraphrase or quote) from a source and do not include a citation you are plagiarizing.
3. Do not write the complete citation in the text of the paper. Follow APA for appropriate citation and reference formatting.
4. DO NOT USE CITATIONS/REFERENCES THAT DO NOT HAVE AN AUTHOR OR DATE: Exceptions:
Please remember that the quality of your references makes a difference in your grade. It is expected that you will use “credible” sources and not sources I don’t consider credible, such as online encyclopedias and for the most part, sources that do not have an author or date. One example of a possible exception to the no author rule would be organizations such as the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other credible national organizations. In this case the organization is the author (unless they include the author’s name), but you still must include the date it was written. If you have any doubts about your references, please feel free to ask me and I would be happy to assist you.
5. The first time you cite something you include all authors, after you can use et al
6. Two period problem: through intravenous injection.” (Rawson, 2013, p 3). The period goes after the citation.
7. All papers must be submitted in canvas (Turnitin) as a word document.
Your grade will be based on the rubric posted in canvas
CLASS NORMS
* Class participation is defined as the quality of your class involvement. This includes arriving to class on time with your book, having your readings completed for class and presenting your thoughts and ideas. It also includes your response to questions in class. Lack of class attendance/participation could negatively affect your grade.
* Please TURN OFF AND PUT AWAY CELL PHONES during class time.
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at:
* Attendance will be taken. When you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact someone in class to discuss what you missed, get notes, etc. Please do not call or email me to “get the notes” or to find out if you “missed anything important.” Remember, if you miss more than 20% of the classes, you will not be awarded the extra credit points that you have earned.
* Make-up exams for full credit will be permitted only when the student has A VALID EXCUSE SUCH AS, A COURT SUMMONS, DOCUMENTED ILLNESS (DOCTOR’S EXCUSE), PARTICIPATION IN OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES WHICH CONFLICT WITH CLASS MEETING TIME AND OTHER REASONS WHICH MAY BE DETERMINED APPROPRIATE BY THE UNIVERSITY/INSTRUCTOR. YOU MUST INFORM ME AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE THE EXAM. If you do not contact me two hours before the exam with a valid excuse and you miss the exam, your make-up exam grade will be lowered by 10 percent and an additional 10 percent for each day you do not take the exam (Unless prior arrangements have been made). IN ADDITION TO EXAMS, THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL OTHER CLASS ASSIGNMENTS.
* There will be no extra credit given of any kind, to anyone, for any reason. Please don't ask.
* UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code ( specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel.
* Grades will be posted to Canvas, they will not be given out in an email or over the phone.
* Please do not tape the class.
* Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.
* Course Evaluations: Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
You will not GET a grade in this class, you will earn a grade. I cannot guarantee a grade, but to earn a C or better in this class I suggest you:
1. Determine what your study style is by going to the Student Success Center. I believe this is the single most important thing you can do to help yourself.
2. Don’t be passive! Don’t just take notes, sit back and listen. Add to the notes as you listen so when you are preparing for the test your notes will be “complete.” Also, when in doubt or you need something clarified from your notes ask ……………… in class. Just because we “finished” that section of the course does not mean you can’t ask questions to be better prepared for the test.
3. PLEASE no excuses that make you look like you are not taking responsibility for your education. If you make a choice to miss class, FOR WHAT EVER REASON, accept the consequences for your choice. I understand you are a unique individual, but your reason for missing class is not unique.
4. If you have personal issues or concerns about the class you need to address them during the semester, not after the class ends or after grades are submitted.
5. It is your responsibility to become familiar with the course syllabus. If you ask a question about the course that is addressed in the syllabus, you will be asked to consult the syllabus.
6. I want you to be successful in this class, but you MUST make a commitment to your education. I know you are busy, working, studying for the “harder” courses, taking 18 hours, out too late, participating in UF sports, illness, etc. But, if you can’t make an honest commitment to the class – for a legitimate reason, like illness, or an inappropriate reason - please consider withdrawing from the class.
7. Your well-being is important to the University of Florida. The U Matter, We Care Initiative is committed to creating a culture of care on our campus by encouraging members of our community to look out for one another, and to reach out for help if a member of our community is in need. If you or a friend is in distress, please contact so that the U Matter, We Care Team can reach out to the student in distress. A nighttime and weekend crisis counselor is available by phone at 352-392-1575. The U Matter, We Care Team can help connect students to the many other helping resources available including, but not limited to, Victim Advocates, Housing Staff, and the Counseling and Wellness Center. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
8. Communications:Sent messages are not completed communications until they are received. If you leave an important message and get no response, follow up to make sure it has been received. Email is the best form of communication for individual concerns for this class; it is easy to maintain a history and record that way. PLEASE EMAIL ME THROUGH CANVAS. For confidentiality reasons, YOU MUST USE YOUR UF EMAIL. I am not to conduct class business through other email providers because of confidentiality regulations.
9. Please be aware that the content of this course is graphic and may be upsetting to some people. The content may include statements, descriptions and pictures of victims of very violent crimes and of a sexual nature.