Bureau of Justice Statistics Exercise and Criminal Theories Discussion

Bureau of Justice Statistics Exercise

Instructions: You will use the  Bureau of Justice Crime Statistics toolLinks to an external site. to help you recognize trends in crime data of areas of interest. For this assignment, you will complete two tasks:

1. Examine your current state  and city crime trends in the past five years.  Give three trends that you noticed over those five years. Fayetteville NC

2. Pick a state AND city you are interested in living in and examine the crime trends for the past five years.  Give three trends that you noticed over those five years. Pick your state.

 

Part B

Discussion Board #2: Criminal Mind

After reading your chapter, you have the basics of criminal theories. Watch the video below and from a criminal psychologist’s perspective using a criminal theory or theories from Chapter Five to explain Mr. Murdaugh’s intentions, and motives for his behavior. Remember, students must post their initial response on Wednesday by 5:00 p.m. and post comments to two peers by 11:59 p.m. Saturday.  Your response must be 150-300 words in APA format.

The Murdaugh Murders (41:33)Links to an external site.

 


Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!


🔴 Step 1: Understand the Assignment

This assignment has two parts:

  1. Part A – Crime Trends Analysis

    • Use the Bureau of Justice Crime Statistics tool to examine crime data.

    • Analyze Fayetteville, NC for the past 5 years → List 3 crime trends.

    • Choose another state and city you’d like to live in (your choice) → List 3 crime trends for that area.

  2. Part B – Discussion Board

    • Watch The Murdaugh Murders video (41:33).

    • Using theories from Chapter 5, explain Mr. Murdaugh’s intentions and motives from a criminal psychology perspective.

    • Post an initial 150–300 word response (APA format) by Wednesday.

    • Respond to two peers by Saturday at 11:59 p.m.


🔴 Step 2: Structure Part A – Paper/Report

Heading Example (APA Style):
Part A: Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Trend Analysis

Section 1: Fayetteville, NC (Past 5 Years)

  • Present crime statistics (violent crime, property crime, homicide, etc.).

  • Identify 3 noticeable trends (e.g., increase/decrease in assaults, burglary decline, gun-related crime changes).

Section 2: Another State & City (Your Choice)

  • Present the same type of analysis.

  • Identify 3 noticeable trends in that location.

💡 Tip: You can use graphs or charts for clarity. Make sure to cite the Bureau of Justice Statistics as your source.


🔴 Step 3: Structure Part B – Discussion Board Response

Heading Example (APA Style):
Part B: Criminal Psychology Perspective on the Murdaugh Case

  • Briefly summarize what happened in the case (no need for all details, just context).

  • Apply one or more criminal theories (from Chapter 5):

    • Example: Rational Choice Theory → he weighed risks vs. benefits.

    • Example: Strain Theory → financial or social pressures pushed him toward crime.

    • Example: Social Learning Theory → behaviors shaped by environment and reinforcement.

  • Conclude by explaining how these theories reveal motives, intentions, and criminal behavior patterns.

Word Count: 150–300 words.
APA Format: Cite textbook + any other source you use.


🔴 Step 4: Submission Guidelines

  • Part A: Submit as a Word document (APA formatted).

  • Part B: Post your discussion response on the course discussion board by Wednesday 5:00 p.m.

  • Comment on two peers’ posts by Saturday 11:59 p.m.

  • Use APA citations throughout.

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