INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS

Course Title: An Introduction to Behavioral Analysis: The Basics of Criminal Profiling

Length: 40 hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Most people are familiar with criminal profiling by what they have learned from Hollywood. Shows like Silence of the Lambs, Mindhunter, and Criminal Minds have created an indelible image amongst the public who believe profilers possess psychic abilities for predicting personality traits to hunt down an endless supply of serial killers. In truth, there is no voodoo used to catch criminals and serial killers are rare. In actuality, profilers use a mixture of experience, training, and logic to arrive at possible methods to nudge an investigation forward in a positive direction. Criminal profiling is only one tool in a larger toolbox known as criminal investigative analysis, which includes, among other specialties, bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene reconstruction, and behavioral deciphering.

Students enrolled in the week-long training are issued a comprehensive workbook containing instructive material and case summaries. After receiving specific instruction, they will read case information, examine scene photos, and answer questions. The course uses PowerPoints, photographs, and videos.

The instruction delves into topics such as logical sequential thinking and crime scene reconstruction, brief overviews of bloodstains-body decomposition-wound identification, deciphering behaviors in crime scenes, the organized-disorganized offender continuum, identifying staged crime scenes, criminal deviant sexuality and paraphilias, the adult male-on-adult-female rapist continuum, and multi-victim homicides. There is a practical exercise at the conclusion in which students will be placed into groups, provided pertinent reports and photographs pertaining to a homicide, answer questions, and present their findings to the rest of the class.

Each student will receive a workbook filled with many violent crime cases to test their knowledge. The cases are separated into 1. CASE STUDIES which offer a brief synopsis about what occurred and who did it; 2. CASE DISCUSSIONS which provide a synopsis with questions but without divulging who committed the crime. Who did it is not as important as to how and why it was done; and 3. CASE EXERCISES which include a synopsis with questions and involve detailed discussions about the various aspects of the related violent crime.

This course does not provide a certification and will not turn students into criminal profilers. However, it will cause them to view crime scenes differently, to reach logical theories about what occurred, and to efficiently direct their focus upon legitimate suspects by being able to identify general behavioral characteristics of the unknown offender most likely to have committed the crime. It is ideal instruction for new or inexperienced investigators.

The study of murder investigation can be traumatizing, and students will be subjected to images involving extreme violence. Therefore, this course is presented in a relaxed atmosphere to facilitate learning and permit the processing of the knowledge gained. Students will use a hands-on-approach while reviewing a steady flow of cases. This method of learning-by-doing provides numerous opportunities to perform tasks associated with the criminal profiling process.

The WORKBOOK layout

Chapter 1 - A Brief History of Criminal Profiling
In this chapter, students will be introduced to the early attempts at profiling, to include Jack the Ripper.

Chapter 2 – Crime Scene Reconstruction
Students will become familiar with some basic fundamentals needed for crime scene reconstruction; bloodstain patterns, decomposition effects, and wound identification. Next, they will learn the elements of critical thinking and its importance in reconstructing what has occurred. They will practice the art of thinking backwards as they try to recreate what happened in crime scenes. The importance of victimology will also be discussed, as well as identifying the differences between a targeted (planned) and non-targeted (impulsive) victim.

Chapter 3 – Deciphering Behavior
In a crime scene, behavior can best be described as the physical actions the offender and victim choose to do or not do. Behavior can be overt, subliminal, and even unnoticed. Students will learn to analyze crime scenes in search of behavior and its meaning. Understanding behavior often leads to identifying a motive. Students will review numerous homicides and attempt to pick out important behavioral aspects.

Chapter 4 – The Offender Continuum
Some homicides are abundantly planned while others occur without any thought by the offender. Students will learn to identify the factors that constitute an organized and disorganized crime scene. By doing so, they will then be able to place an offender on an intellectual scale and derive some general personality traits.

Chapter 5 – Staged Crime Scenes
More intelligent offenders will sometimes “stage” their crime scene to resemble another crime. This is usually done because the offender will be a logical suspect during the investigation and wishes to divert the gaze of investigators away from him. Students will be able to identify tell-tale signs indicating a crime scene has been manipulated.

Chapter 6 – Criminal Deviant Sex
In order to comprehend sex crimes, investigators need to understand the mind of a sex offender and what drives him to commit his illegal act. The importance of fantasy and its relation to pornography will be discussed. Paraphilias, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) will also be mentioned in detail.

Chapter 7 – The Rapist Continuum
The four categories of rapists based on their motivations (Power-Reassurance, Power-Assertive, Anger-Retaliatory, and Anger-Excitation) and their different verbal, physical, and sexual actions will be explained.

Chapter 8 – Multi-Victim Homicides
Students will learn the differences between mass, spree, and serial killings. School shootings and a possible link to the Involuntary Celibacy movement will be discussed.

Chapter 9 – Student Practicum
Students will be sectioned into groups and given a case file containing pertinent reports and photographs. They will then profile the unknown offender of their homicide and present their findings to the class.

CHAPTER 10: Profile Examples

The COST for the 40-hour, 5-day training is $500 USD per student. Agencies who host the training get one (1) free tuition for every ten (10) paid students.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

"This class has been, by far, the best class I've been to within my career." -Paul C., Police Officer

"This is by far the best class I have ever been to." -Amy B., Investigator

"I loved it! It was engaging and kept my interests piqued." -Sharon L., Support Specialist

"Great course - the case studies were great at helping to understand the concepts." -Ashley R., Investigator

"Mr. Morris is great and funny and knows his stuff!" -Christie S., Investigator

"F**king amazing. I enjoyed every second of this course." -Gage G., Investigator

"Great program, very knowledgeable instructor; his experience enhanced what was being taught." -Ray C., Investigator

"One of the most informative classes I have ever taken. I learned so much valuable information. The case studies were so crucial to the learning." -Madelyn D., Investigator

"I think this course really helps with critical thinking and alternative approaches that all investigators should learn." -Nicole R., Analyst

"Excellent course - a must for homicide investigators." Dan R., Investigator

"When is comes to criminal investigations, this is one of the most beneficial courses I've taken in my career." Jamie K., Investigator

"This class should be a must for new investigators. Ken is an amazing instructor." -John S., Analyst

"This class and the instructor, Kenny Morris, were outstanding! I've been in law enforcement for 16 years. It's difficult to find a class that (1) keeps me interested and (2) teaches me something new. I really appreciate Kenny's approach to teaching! He is clearly an expert in his area but simplifies concepts for easy understanding, uses humor, and is very approachable. The workbook and PowerPoints are laid out in a logical, easy to follow, and entertaining way. I feel confident now in my ability to look at a crime scene and analyze it to identify general characteristics about unknown offenders." -Mary G., Detective