This course focuses on the physiological, cognitive, and learning factors involved in criminal behavior from a psychological perspective. This will include an examination of the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior, especially violent behavior. Information regarding criminal behavior, violence, and mental illness will then be examined in terms of the assessment of risk. Risk assessment has developed as an important avenue for preventing crimes or preventing repeat offenses from an individual perpetrator. In the field of Forensic Psychology, risk assessment is a very important skill.

Prerequisite(s): FORSC 515 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation or FORSC 540 Analytical Science as Bases for Investigation with grades of "B-" or better; Abnormal Psychology, Social Psychology, and Personality Psychology, or permission of the instructor.