Exploring Criminal Activity, Theoretical Perspectives and Underlying Factors

For this project you will write about a category of criminal activity you studied and found most compelling during the course of this class. In general, your assignment is to examine this criminal activity, its theoretical perspectives, and the underlying factors in an effort to explain the behavior and reduce recidivism in the future. Use your critical thinking and research skills to compose a paper that demonstrates what you have learned in this course.

Choose a category of crime from the range of criminal activities you studied this semester, such as terrorism, family violence, cybercrime, sexual assault, etc.

Select a specific individual that perpetrated this type of crime.

Begin with a brief (150 to 200 word) abstract, which is a comprehensive summary of the contents of your project.

Use at least three (3) outside resources

1. Define and describe the category of crime, its characteristics, typical offenders, and the theoretical perspectives attributed to it.
2. Identify and describe your chosen individual that perpetrated this type of crime.
3. Explain the perpetrator/s background. For example:

If an individual, explain where they were born, their family structure, the socioeconomic conditions, education, their life events that led up to the criminal act, etc.

4. If you have identified a specific exemplary incident describe the crime. Explain what happened, when it happened, where it happened, the conditions that led up to the crime (s), what if any gain the perpetrator realized as a result of the crime etc.
5. Explain the factors or predictors that may have influenced this criminal behavior such as, but not limited to:

Psychological disorders

�

Mental illness

�

Substance abuse

�

Motivations

�

Political ideologies

6. Explain whether the offender (s) were able to follow through with the crime (s).

If they were able to, how did they achieve it? Over what time period?

�

If not, why not?

7. Identify and describe the legal, corrective, and/or rehabilitative action that is appropriately directed to perpetrators of this criminal activity. Is there evidence (or do you believe) the punishment and or treatment programs can be effective in reducing recidivism?
8. Describe and evaluate any associated outcomes/impact emanating from this criminal activity or specific incident, such as increased social awareness, change in policy or laws, negative backlash or unintended effects, etc.
9. Concluding statement

1. Your understanding and description of the crime category you selected.
2. Your comprehensive review of the example case.
3. Your analysis of the risk factors in the example case.
4. Overall quality of the composition.
5. Compliance with the format requirements.

The category of crime refers to a type of criminal activity that involves illegal actions or behaviors that are prohibited by law and punishable by the criminal justice system. Crimes can vary in severity and can include offenses such as theft, assault, murder, drug trafficking, fraud, and more. Let's discuss the characteristics of crime, typical offenders, and the theoretical perspectives attributed to it:

Characteristics of Crime:

Legally Prohibited: Crimes are activities that are explicitly defined and prohibited by law. They are considered as violations of the established legal norms of a society or community.

Punishable by Law: Crimes are punishable by the criminal justice system, which may involve sanctions such as fines, imprisonment, probation, or community service. The severity of the punishment usually depends on the severity of the crime.

Social Harm: Crimes typically involve actions that cause harm to individuals, communities, or society at large. This harm can be physical, emotional, financial, or societal in nature.

Intent or Mens Rea: Most crimes require a certain level of intent or mens rea, which refers to the mental state or culpable mental condition of the offender at the time the crime was committed. This means that the offender must have had a guilty mind or criminal intent to be held liable for the crime.