Category: Criminology

Criminology and the Real World-
Applying Criminological Theory to the Adnan Syed Case
Overview
The Criminology and the Real World assignment will span the
length of the semester. You are required to listen to the Serial
Podcast (https://serialpodcast.org/season-one). The podcast is
comprised of 12 episodes detailing the murder of Hae Min Lee
and the arrest, trial and conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan
Syed. The podcast is available for free. Each part of the
assignment will build upon the previous part.
Connection to Objectives
This assignment addresses several of the Learning Objectives
detailed. Specifically, your ability to assign crimes to specific
theories and to evaluate a criminological theory to a real world
case.
Rationale
The purpose of criminology is to explain crime and criminal
behavior. Oftentimes theories are categorized within a law
making, law breaking or law enforcing framework. Additionally,
theories often emerge from schools of criminological thought
that developed since the 18th century. Each theory has clear
assumptions about human behavior and propositions regarding
criminal behavior. One difficulty students often have with
criminology as a discipline is the ability to “see” it in practice
and to understand its practical applications and real-world
utility.
The Criminology and the Real World assignment affords students
the opportunity to learn about a case that occurred near Towson
University and also research several theories of choice and
therefore help contextualized the role of criminology in everyday
life.
Part 1-Description of the crime, the main players and the facts of
the case
Part 2-Demonstrate the knowledge of the theories of criminology
and show how they may be used to explain criminal behavior in
the real world. Continued illustration of theory knowledge, the
facts and players of the case and applying theory. This part also
has students provide reflection on the assignment.
Instructions
Below are instructions and related questions for Part 1 of the
assignment. You are to answer all the questions to the best of
your ability. You are to use the class text and class notes to help
you frame your answers. Please be mindful of citations and if
using cites and references use APA style. Let me know if you
have any questions about the assignment or individual parts.
Online Assignment Part 1 (25 points)
Your submission should be a Word Doc (.doc or .docx) or a text
file. The formatting of the document is your choice since I
require a minimum word count as opposed to page count. Your
assignment should be saved with your name (for example-
antunesOA1- 5 pts). You are to submit the file via SafeAssign by
the due date provided below. In terms of the originality report in
SafeAssign be sure to aim for below 12%. Please answer the
following questions with respect to the Serial Podcast. Ensure
that you answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. In no less than 700 words (2.5 pts) please thoroughly
summarize the podcast “Serial”. Be sure to address the
following:
a. Describe the main characters and how they fit into the
plot (5 pts)
b. Describe the crime including the who, what, where
and how. (5 pts)
c. Be sure to include any aims or goals asserted at the
beginning of the podcast in addition to any conclusions
that were drawn (2.5 pts)
2. Why is the podcast relevant to the study of criminal
behavior? What do you believe the podcast contributes to
this class? (350 words) (5 pts)
Online Assignment Part 2 (30 points)
Your submission should be a Word Doc (.doc or .docx) or a text
file. The formatting of the document is your choice since I
require a minimum word count as opposed to page count. Your
assignment should be saved with your name (for example-
antunesOA2- 5 pts). You are to submit the file via SafeAssign by
the due date provided below. In terms of the originality report in
SafeAssign be sure to aim for below 12%. Please answer the
following questions with respect to the Serial Podcast. Ensure
that you answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. If Adnan Syed was guilty of murdering Hae Min Lee, what
criminological theory do you believe would explain his
behavior? Please:
a. describe your theory of choice (no less than 350
words- 2.5 pts); (7.5 pts)
b. Explain why this theory applies to the Syed-Hae
murder (no less than 200 words- 2.5 pts) (10 pts)
2. Who do you believe killed Hae? (Do not choose Adnan,
please). Choose a criminological theory to explain your
suspect’s behavior. Make sure to clearly define your theory,
describe all the relevant parts of the theory and why you
believe it explains the behavior. Do not choose the same
theory as the one you applied to Adnan. Your answer should
be no less than 300 words, please (2 pts). (7.5pts)
Online Assignment Part 3 (35 points)
Your submission should be a Word Doc (.doc or .docx) or a text
file. The formatting of the document is your choice since I
require a minimum word count as opposed to page count. Your
assignment should be saved with your name (for example-
antunesOA3- 5 pts). You are to submit the file via SafeAssign by
the due date provided below. In terms of the originality report in
SafeAssign be sure to aim for below 12%. Please answer the
following questions with respect to the Serial Podcast. Ensure
that you answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. What criminological theory could explain why Hae was
killed? Keep in mind that you are to analyze Hae’s murder
from her perspective.
a. describe your theory of choice (no less than 350
words- 2.5 pts); (5 pts)
b. Explain why this theory applies to Hae’s murder from
her perspective (no less than 200 words- 2.5 pts) (7.5
pts)
2. What advice would you give a student who was asked to
listen to the podcast? (2.5 pts)
3. What questions would you add to the online assignment
that you feel would be relevant? (2.5 pts)
4. What was your favorite part of the Online Assignments you
were asked to complete this semester? Please be sure to
answer this question in no less than 200 words. (5 pts)
5. Did the podcast change your perception of the Criminal
Justice System? Why or why not? Make sure to use no less
than 350 words to answer the question. (7.5pts)
Deliverables
All assignments are to be submitted by the due date via
SafeAssign in a Word document. I know some of you may have
Macs. Please make sure that whatever word processing program
you use that it is PC compatible. You are free to choose your
formatting but the file itself must contain your name

Based on the videos and articles posted for this module, address the general idea in relation to the topic for your initial post. Address each other with a minimum of five responses to your peers’ posts.
-Critique every thought.
-Clarify your arguments.
-Cite each of the lecture materials at least once in your posts.
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 200 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
sources:
-Use the book: Terrill, R.J. (2016). World criminal justice systems: a comparative survey. Routledge.
Sweden pp. 297-349
-Immigrants, Crime, and Criminal Justice in Sweden
Martens, P. L. (1997). Immigrants, crime, and criminal justice in Sweden. Crime and Justice, 21, 183–255. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1147632
– https://youtu.be/HcBjvSdhT1k?si=4XyAkPZeYeDfZZ7E

Reply to the attached discussion post.  The original discussion topic was: 
“Discuss the key benefits and strategies of coding. What are the potential dangers to avoid while coding interviews?”

How is it that a system of elected government is supposed to provide accountability of
the police to citizens? Can the police being part of the political system be a drawback to
effective policing

For this assignment, you will explore the concept of secondary DNA transfer and its implications for criminal investigations.
Assignment Title: The Implications of Secondary DNA Transfer on Criminal Investigations
Background:
If your DNA is found on a weapon or at a crime scene, does that automatically make you guilty? A judge or jury might think so, but a new study from the University of Indianapolis reveals that secondary transfer of human DNA through intermediary contact is more common than previously thought.
This discovery could significantly impact medical science and the criminal justice system.
Years ago, DNA analysis required substantial samples of blood or other bodily fluids. However, advances now allow a complete genetic profile to be created from just a few cells—known as “touch DNA.”
The study highlights that the presence of touch DNA does not necessarily prove direct contact with the object or presence at the crime scene. DNA can be transferred indirectly, which raises concerns about the accuracy of such evidence.
Instructions:
Read the article titled “Could Secondary DNA Transfer Falsely Place Someone at the Scene of a Crime?” (provided via the link).
Answer the following questions in full and complete sentences. Use 12-point Times New Roman font and type your answers in a Word document (.doc or .docx). Please double space your assignment.
Proofread your answers before submission. Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure will account for 10 points of the total assignment grade.
Submit your completed assignment as a Word document by uploaded
Questions:
Main Findings: Summarize and explain the main findings of the article as if you were explaining them to someone with minimal knowledge of criminal investigations.
Impact on Criminal Investigations: Discuss how the findings related to touch DNA could impact future criminal investigations involving DNA evidence.
Future Research: Suggest potential areas for future research or experiments that might be needed to further investigate the transferability of DNA.
See the journal attachment below

Post a news/current media story, movie clip, or other media (i.e., music, art, poem etc.) web link that portrays an example of one topic being discussed in the week’s module, and explain in 200 to 300 words how the example illustrates the topic presented in the  module.
The example must be original and not one already presented in the course’s learning materials. 

I have already started writing the essays dn picked the first question to write an essay about and a few references i found that could relate to the subject. I have attached my assignment task.
In this essay we will be discussing how moral panics are often centred around people who are marginalised in society due to their race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, nationality or religion. We will review the differences between regular panic and moral panic and provide examples of what these could be. A case study about drugs will also be discussed and a moral panic incident that started in the 1970s and peaked in the late 80s early 90s called “The War on drugs”.
A moral panic is a public issue that has happened that has caused alarm and anxiety for people as the issue could change the standards of society and potentially change laws depending on the situation. An example of a panic could be “Mods and Rockers” that has been discussed by Cohen, S. (2011) However, regular panics are panics that are not serious enough to worry the public but something that some people could still debate.
References
Cohen, S. (2011) Folk Devils and Moral Panics. [BibliU version] Taylor and Francis.
US v. Solivan (1991) case study https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15136893808966466998&q=the+war+on+drugs&hl=en&as_sdt=2006
James E. Hawdon (2001) the role of presidential rhetoric in the creation of a moral panic: reagan, bush, and the war on drugs,Deviant Behavior
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01639620152472813

You are assigned as a Prison Administrator (Warden/Superintendent) and are tasked to design an education and vocation department for your facility. You can decide if it is a male or female facility. Your resources are unlimited. What courses or vocational trades would you include in your curriculum? Why?

This assignment has two parts. In part 1, you will review scenarios and answer questions related to empowerment for each person. In part 2, you will answer questions about empowerment and delegation.
Part 1: Scenarios
Read each scenario and answer the question that follow in at least 90 words in preparation for part 2.
Nancy Walters
Nancy is an administrative assistant in a prosecutor’s office. For most of her two years with the office, she has served as a receptionist and a file clerk. She has been attending paralegal school for the past six months. Noted for her satisfactory performance, especially as a multitasker, she has made an effort to learn about the duties of other staff positions. Nancy has approached you, the chief prosecutor, about wanting to take on other responsibilities she believes would provide her with more job satisfaction. She specifically requests to help the assistant prosecutors put their case files together. Nancy believes she can do this when there is little activity at the receptionist’s desk.
• Would you empower Nancy to take on additional responsibilities? Why?
Richard Smyth
Some of the supervisors at the police department believe Richard has an “attitude problem.” He constantly complains; however, sometimes he has legitimate points. He has been with the agency eight years and does his job, but can’t keep his mouth in check. His superiors remember when he was very active and performed at a very high level. He always comments negatively when one of the “young guns” is promoted or receives a commendation for excellent work. A supervisor suggests to you, the patrol division commander, that perhaps Richard needs a significant project or responsibility to pursue. The supervisor argues Richard has the talent and experience to do just about anything. Perhaps showing a little trust in him and focusing his energy away from criticizing others would help reduce his negativity.
• Would you empower Richard? Why? If yes, how would you identify an enterprise for him to pursue?
Angie O’Reilly
Angie has been a patrol officer for three years. She has a strong desire to be a detective. While her only formal training has been completion of the recruit academy, she has shown a willingness to follow up on details for the investigative division. Her legwork in her free time on patrol has helped detectives who did not have time to go out in the field. Currently, there are no open positions in the investigative division.
• Is there a way to empower Angie to take on more investigative responsibility?
Steve Morris
You are the new police chief on a small college campus. Steve is the assistant police chief. You have four sergeants, each supervising a patrol team of four officers. Most of the officers have college degrees. The department is busy during the fall, less so in the spring, and very quiet during semester breaks and the summer. You realize Steve is overloaded with administrative responsibilities. He creates work schedules, reviews officer reports, hires and monitors student workers, maintains the property and evidence room, keeps the log of incidents on campus for review by the media and the public, liaises with all the fraternities and sororities, and conducts training. You need him to work on a comprehensive overhaul of the campus parking plan, but he doesn’t seem to have the time.
• Is there a way empowerment and delegation can rectify this situation?
Part 2: Empowerment and Delegation in Criminal Justice
Write a 700- to 1,400-word paper in which you discuss the following:
• Explain the process of empowerment and delegation in criminal justice organizations. Include the role of trust related to delegation and empowerment.
• Analyze the implications of empowerment and delegation in a criminal justice organization. In what ways does the organization benefit?
• Discuss whether employees in the scenarios are ready for empowerment. Incorporate your responses to each scenario from part 1.
Include at least four peer-reviewed references.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Submit your assignment.

Write a 1800 – 2000 word thematic analysis on the sentencing remarks. 
Please see the attached assignment 3 document notes document where I summarised the sentencing remarks. Please use the structure I listed on that document for the structure of the essay.