You will be assigned into a study group in Week 2. Each group will be asked to identify a single historical closed case (or sequence of cases involving the same offender/offenders), to collect and pool information on that case, and to then individually produce a summary of that case (i.e., one submission per person).

Using journal articles, or books, and media reports, identify a solved case in which criminal offender profiling was used. Answer the following questions about that case:

1. Identify the case (offence type, location, year, etc).

2. What characteristics of the offender were identified? (e.g., race, age, etc).

3. Was the profile accurate? Which characteristics of the offender were accurately or inaccurately identified?

4. Was the profile useful in the investigation? Why/why not?

Your report should include: Cover page (your name, names of your group members, your student id number, title of your report), Answers to questions 1-4, and References.

The assignment may be submitted in standard essay-style format, Wikipedia-style format, or newspaper-style format (e.g., multiple columns).

Note: no matter which format you choose, APA style referencing is required.

Assignment will be marked according to the following:

Marks available for each section of the report are as follows:

Case summary 20%

Summary of the offender profile 20%

Assessing the accuracy of the profile 20%

Impact of the profile on the investigation 20%

Presentation and referencing 20%

The assignment is approximately 1500 words (with 10% range either side).

On January 6, 2006, David Rosenbaum was found barely conscious on a sidewalk near his home. What followed was a series of misguided decisions that led to his death. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters concluded that David was just intoxicated, a decision that was then supported by police and subsequently ambulance officers. This line of thinking continued upon David arriving at the hospital, failing to receive treatment. He died a short time later. In fact, the cause of death was that David had been assaulted and suffered a head injury, key factors that were missed by a myriad of emergency services professionals.

In July 2015, African woman Sandra Bland was leaving a University campus in her car after having just interviewed for a job. A police officer observed Sandy pull out of the University and turn onto the highway. Believing that she failed to indicate, he followed Sandy in his vehicle, pulling her over. The interaction between Sandy and the police officer started out courteous, however, things began to drastically escalate when Sandy lit a cigarette, resulting in the officer pulling his taser gun out and stating, "Get out of the car. I will light you up. Get out. Now". This change in behaviour by Sandy led to the officer perceiving that she was a threat, defiant, and may burn him with the cigarette. Sandy was arrested and three days later died in her prison cell, with her death determined to be suicide.

For the written assignment, your task is to chose one of the above cases and examine this in respect to the problems associated with first impressions. You will be required to consider Dangerous Decision Theory for the assignment and use this theoretical perspective to explain the first impression problem. The aim of the assignment is to consider how first impressions influence our decision making about others.

The assignment should consider the following:

1. Provide a background analysis of your chosen case, discussing key details relevant to the case and the decision making involved

2. Provide a review of why first impressions are problematic and discuss Dangerous Decision Theory.

3. Examine the empirical literature and research findings relating to decisions being made based upon first impressions. Examine the empirical evidence from this research.

4. Analyse your chosen case in respect to the issues associated with first impressions and dangerous decision theory. Examine how empirical evidence on first impressions can be applied to your case and propose strategies or solutions to protect against these forms of problematic decision making in cases.

The written task is approximately 2000 words (with 10% range either side).

References:

Klein, G. C. (2018). On the death of Sandra Bland: A case of anger and indifference. Journal of Police Emergency Response, 1-11. doi: 10.1177/2158244018754936

Porter, S., ten Brinke, L., & Gustaw, (2010). Dangerous decisions: The impact of first impressions of trustworthiness on the evaluation of legal evidence and defendant culpability. Psychology, Crime & Law, 16, 477-491. doi: 10.1080/10683160902926141

Shaw, B. J. (2019). Sandy still speaks: the digital afterlives of Sandra Bland. Prose Studies, 40, 40-59. doi: 10.1080/01440357.2019.1656396

Stout, D. (2006, June 17). Inquiry into reporter's death finds multiple failures in care. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/17/washington/17district.html

Assessment criteria (100 marks)

Abstract (10 marks)

- Concise and accurately summarises the details from your report (100-150 words)

Body (80 marks)

- Overview of the key details relevant to the case and the decision making involved (20 marks)

- Examine the problems associated with first impressions and detail Dangerous Decision Theory (20 marks)

- Examine and discuss the empirical literature and research relating to decision making and first impressions (20 marks)

- Examine how empirical evidence on first impressions can be applied to your case and propose strategies or solutions to protect against these forms of problematic decision making in cases (20 marks)

Style/References (10 marks)

- Correct APA format in-text and reference list

- Grammar, spelling and sentence structure

- Overall readability, flow of writing

- Appropriate use of sub-headings

Length: 2000 words (including abstract, excluding end of essay references)

Cover Page: Yes. Should have your name (essential), student id number (essential), the assignment title (essential).

Line spacing: Double. File format: Word (preferred) or PDF.

File name: Your name, id number, unit code and assignment number..... as in: "C.T. Boy 5705 PSYC13021 Assignment 2.docx"

The online test will consist of a short answer and essay questions relating to the lecture material and readings provided for the unit. Students will be required to select four short answer questions from a series of possible questions. Students will also be required to select two essay questions from a series of possible questions. Further details will be provided on Moodle. 

Students will be marked for each of the four short answer questions that are completed. Each questions will be worth 10% (overall 40% for short answer questions). 

Students will be marked for each of the two essay questions that are completed. Each essay question will be worth 30% (over 60% for essay questions).  

Further details will be provided on Moodle.