The study of criminal psychology and forensic science is a fascinating field and a discipline that can be applied to many careers.
The Advanced Certificate of Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science is a professional development program designed to give graduates the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in the fields of criminology, forensic psychology and forensic science, or to enhance current employment opportunities.
This online criminology course will develop your knowledge and understanding of criminology and forensic psychology and will provide a solid foundation for further studies in this field.
You will learn the fundamentals of criminal psychology and forensic science, including forensic science and the law, evidence collection, specialist forensics, criminology, psychological disorders and crime, criminal profiling, and ethical issues. You will also discover psychology and crime, mental disorders, gender and crime, youth and crime, psychology and the police, psychology in the courtroom and crime prevention strategies, exploring the causes behind criminal and deviant behaviour and the core theories and issues in criminology and forensic psychology.
You will explore the fascinating subject of forensic science and gain the knowledge and skills required to embark on a career in forensic science, criminal justice, policing and allied health services. You will also develop your knowledge and understanding of the science behind criminal and police investigations and discover the entire process of forensic crime scene investigation from photographing the initial crime scene and collecting evidence to analysing specimens and using criminal profiling.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to pursue employment throughout the criminal justice system, including the police and legal sectors or use knowledge gained in a business or allied health profession.
Course Structure
Criminal Psychology
Unit 1 – Introduction to criminal psychology
- Definitions of crime
- Consensus view of what crime is
- Conflict view of crime
- Interactionist view of crime
- Scope of criminal psychology
- What criminal psychologists do
- Case study
- Profiling
- Courts
- Correctional system
Unit 2 – Psychological approaches to understanding crime
- Biological explanations of crime
- Phrenology
- Eugenics
- XYY chromosome model
- Genetics
- Twin studies
- Adoption studies
- Nature, nurture
- Environmental explanations of crime
- Family influence
- Agency explanations
- Rational choice theory
Unit 3 – Psychology and understanding serious crimes
- Aggression
- Types of aggression
- Terminology
- Drive theories
- Freudian theories
- Social learning theories
- Biological and evolutionary theories
- Types of aggression
- Aggression an against outsiders
- Aggression in species
- Aggression in humans
- Environmental influences on human aggression
- Imitation or modelling
- Familiarity
- Reinforcement
- Aggression and culture
- Other factors in aggression: alcohol, pain, frustration
- Murder
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
- Pursuit behaviour
- False stalking syndrome
Unit 4 – Mental disorder and crime 1 – learning disabilities and crime
- Meaning of learning disabilities
- IQ testing
- Crime and intelligence
- Modern intelligence testing
- Learning disabilities and crime
- Sex offences and people with learning disabilities
- Courts
Unit 5 – Mental disorder and crime 2 – psychopathy
- Scope and nature of psychopathology
- Personality disorder
- Psychopath
- Heartlessness
- Emotionless
- How do people become psychopaths
- Treatment
Unit 6 – Gender and crime
- Scope and nature of gender and crime studies
- Rates of crime
- Murder and violence
- Prostitution
- Case study … Women offenders
- Victims
- Murder
- Domestic violence
- Sexual abuse
Unit 7 – Youth and crime
- Age of criminal responsibility
- Risk factors
- Mental health risk
- Conduct disorders
- ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- Cumulative affect of risk factors
- Prevalence and offending
- Case studies
- Young people as victims
Unit 8 – Psychology and the Police
- Social construction of reported crime
- Eyewitness testimony
- Early research
- Schemas and EWT
- Police line ups
- Every day uses of psychology by police
Unit 9 – Psychology in the courtroom
- Social cognition
- Behaviour
- Appearance
- Expectations
- The primacy effect
- Attribution
- Schemas and social perception
- Central traits
- Stereotypes
- Social inference and decision making
- Psychology and the law
- Guilt bias
- Media effect
- Defendant attributes
- Attorney attributes
Unit 10 – Psychology and crime prevention
- Punishment
- Types of punishment
- History of punishment
- Reasons for punishment
- Deterrents
- Punishment and impartiality
Forensic Science
Unit 1 – Nature of Forensic Science
- What is forensic science?
- Laboratory sciences
- Field sciences
- Digital services
- Forensic medicine
- Origins and principles of forensic science
Unit 2 – Forensic science and law
- Scientific principles
- Feature comparison methods
- Applications of forensic science to law
- Use of evidence
- Relationship with law
- What is evidence?
- Types of physical and biological evidence
Unit 3 – Evidence collection
- Chain of custody
- Crime scene investigations
- First respondents
- Assessing the scene
- Collection of samples
- Completion of crime scene
Unit 4 – Analysis of evidence
- The purpose of analysis
- Principles underlying analysis
- Statistical analyses
- Types of evidence
- Laboratory analysis
- Laboratory evidence
Unit 5 – Specialist forensics
- Civil vs criminal courts
- Types pf forensics used
- Digital and electronics forensics
- Forensic pathology
- Forensic anthropology
- Forensic psychology
Unit 6 – Criminology
- Psychological theories
- Cognitive theory
- Moral development
- Personality and crime
- Intelligence and crime
- Children and crime
Unit 7 – Psychological disorders and crime
- Mental health disorders
- Mental health and criminal offences
- Types of disorder and crime
- Personality disorders
- Mental health in children and crime
- Conduct disorder
- Oppositional defiance disorder
Unit 8 – Criminal profiling
- Role of forensic psychologist and psychiatrist in profiling
- Police profiling
- Statistical profiling
- Applications of profiling
- Profiling typologies
- Problems with profiling
- Intelligence
- Intelligence gathering
Unit 9 – Presenting evidence in court
- Evidence
- Burden of proof
- Admissibility of evidence
- Admissibility of forensic evidence
- Witness and delivering testimony
- Expert witness testimony
- Forensic case study
- DNA evidence
Unit 10 – Ethical issues
- Legislation vs legislature
- The purpose of the law
- The purpose of ethics
- Ethical practice and forensic science
- Jury tainting
- Chain of custody
- Forensic practice and ethics
- Mental health and psychology
- Ethical implication in forensic psychology
- Best interests
Study Hours
Estimated duration 100 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
Loved the content. It made sense and followed a logical learning pathway and assignment questions were relevant and also allowed for personal investigation which I enjoyed
A.O’Brien, Boneo, VIC | Advanced Certificate of Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science
Very good experience. Easy to log in and work with the course
L. Lu, Chatswood, NSW | Advanced Certificate of Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science
Amazing, best place to study through, due to the access to all resourceful help you can access.
and the best experience by being able to manage work and study by having everything online.
Z. Walker, Bombala, NSW | Advanced Certificate of Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science
It was a great experience learning the course content virtually and conducting the assignments that enhanced my understanding on the field
K. Singh, Athelstone, SA | Advanced Certificate of Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science
About Us
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 EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
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?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
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
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