Criminal profiling is a specialised field relevant to many careers within the criminal justice system and psychology sectors. Whether you work in these areas or are interested in the subject, you’ll discover the fascinating world of criminal behaviour analysis and investigative psychology in this online course.
Certificate of Criminal Profiling is an online professional development course that provides an in-depth introduction to criminal profiling, offering insights into crimes ranging from violent offences like serial killing and terrorism to white-collar crimes such as fraud and cybercrime.
In this criminal profiling course, you will explore the psychological underpinnings of criminal behaviour, delving into topics like psychopathy, motives, gender dynamics in crime, and the impact of mental health and learning disabilities on criminal tendencies.
You will also learn how to construct victim profiles and timelines and understand the unique challenges posed by victims of serial killers and various violent crimes. You will also explore behavioural evidence analysis, forensic analysis, and geographic profiling.
On completion of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the role of the profiler in the broader criminal justice system, from crafting profiling reports to serving as expert witnesses in court.
Course Structure
Unit - Criminal Profiling
Unit 1 – Introduction to Criminal Profiling
- Types of crime
- Jack the ripper
- FBI behavioural science unit
- What is criminal profiling?
- Intelligence profiling
- Other related terms
- Investigative psychology
- Crime scene profiling/crime scene analysis profiling
- Premeditation
- Crime of passion
- MMPI
- Victimology
- Linkage analysis
- Modus operandi
- Signature behaviour
- The criminal profiling process
- What is included in a profile?
- How are criminal profiles used?
- Role of profiling
- Who uses profiling?
- Contributions of psychologists, psychiatrists
Unit 2 – Profiling Methods
- Top down
- Bottom up
- Nomothetic vs. Idiographic profiling
- Organised and disorganised offenders
- Behavioural evidence analysis
- Forensic analysis
- Victimology
- Crime analysis
- Offender characteristics
- Investigative psychology: statistical approach
- Behavioural investigative advice
- Geographical profiling
- The main concepts of geographical profiling
Unit 3 – Crime Scene Analysis
- Crime scene evidence
- Crime scene location
- Crime scene type
- Choice of victim
- Targeted victim
- Opportunistic victim
- Method of approach
- Method of attack
- Force
- Method of control
- Patterns and linkages
- Method of operating
- Signature
- Case linkages
- Writing a crime scene analysis
Unit 4 – Offender Characteristics
- Who commits crimes?
- Gender
- Age
- Relationships
- Mental illness
- Mental health and crime
- Psychopathy
- Sadism
- Learning disabilities and crime
- Gender and crime
- Why are men more likely to commit crimes?
- The general theory of crime
- Nature & nurture
- Sociological theories of why men commit more crimes than women
- Sociobiological and evolutionary theories
- Stereotyping and generalisations
- Motives
- Motivation
- Understanding motive
- Rapist motivational typology
Unit 5 – Victimology
- Understanding victim profiles
- Goal of forensic victimology
- Victim backgrounds
- Victim biases
- Exposure of victims to crime
- Lifestyle factors
- Traits
- Behaviours
- Professions
- Situational factors
- Victim timelines
- Case study – knife crime
- Victims of serial killers
- Offender-victim relationships
- Problems with victim profiling
- Incorrect profile
- Stereotyping and generalisations
- Reliability
Unit 6 – Offender Profiling – Sexual Crimes
- Serial crimes
- Types of sex crimes
- Rape
- Power reassurance type
- Power assertive type
- Anger retaliatory type
- Anger excitement type (sadistic)
- Serial rape
- The use of profiling in rape cases
- Finding the offender
- Profiling rapists
- Sexual murder
- Cannibalism sexual murder
Unit 7 – Offender Profiling – Violent Crimes
- Assult
- Murder
- Anger
- Profit
- Ideology
- Mental illness
- Serial killers or serial murderers
- Visionary killers
- Missionary killers
- Hedonistic killers
- Control or power killers
- Organised killers
- Disorganised Killers
- Mixed killers
- Stages of serial killing
- Mass murder
- Types of mass killers
- Pseudo commando
- Disciple
- Disgruntled employee
- Family annihilator
- Set and run killer
- Genocide
- Terrorism
Unit 8 – Offender Profiling – White-Collar Crimes
- Blackmail and extortion
- Intimidation
- Cybercrime
- Phishing scams
- Identity theft
- Intellectual property infringement
- Cyberstalking
- Online harassment
- Hacking
- Fraud
- Insurance reports
- Unlawful sackings
- Arson
- Common profiles of white-collar offenders
- Shoplifter profiler
- Offender profile – hackers
Unit 9 – Offender Profiling – Victimless Crimes, Consensual Crimes and Other Crimes
- Theft & robbery crime
- Workplace bullying
- Corporal punishment
- Domestic violence
- Initiation ceremonies
- Hazing
- Self-defence
- Neighbourhood disputes
- Softer crimes
- Case studies
- The case of the Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski)
- The case of the Beltway Snipers (John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo)
- The case of the Boston Strangler (Albert Desalvo)
Unit 10 – Profiling in Action
- Profiling in action – Jeffrey Dahmer
- Gathering information
- Writing reports for divorce cases
- Criminal profiling as expert witness testimony
- Jury decision-making
- Accuracy issues
- Public perception
- Miscarriage of justice in criminal profiling
- The case of Richard Jewell (1996)
- The case of Colin Stagg (1992)
- The case of Ronald Cotton (1984)
- The case of Gary Dotson (1977)
- Why is criminal profiling important to society as a whole?
- Outlook on profiling
- Uses of profiling
- The future of criminal profiling
- Criminal profiling and artificial intelligence
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Easy, and effortless, with guaranteed support from tutors.
Nicolese | Perth, WA | Certificate of Criminal Profiling
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development For:-
- Correctional Officers/Personnel
- Police Officers
- Criminal Justice Personnel
- Crime Writers
- Social Workers
- Forensic Scientist
- Victim Advocate
- Security Consultants
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