For the student’s research paper, one will choose an infamous crime: serial
murder, policy, or the law. Student subjects should be discussed with the professor
before taking on the subject matter. The professor’s approval is to ensure the subject
matter meets the requirements. For research grading criteria, see the Research Paper and
Grading Rubric.
Research Project Examples:
Serial murder,
Magen’s Law,
Enhanced sentencing.
Michael Brown incident,
Freddie Gray incident,
Phillip Pannell incident.
Legalization of Marijuana and the unforeseen consequences.
Other criminal justice or law enforcement matters.
The research paper should be between 2000 to 2500 words. The research project
must be done in APA style, either the sixth or seventh edition (https://apastyle.apa.org/),
murder, policy, or the law. Student subjects should be discussed with the professor
before taking on the subject matter. The professor’s approval is to ensure the subject
matter meets the requirements. For research grading criteria, see the Research Paper and
Grading Rubric.
Research Project Examples:
Serial murder,
Magen’s Law,
Enhanced sentencing.
Michael Brown incident,
Freddie Gray incident,
Phillip Pannell incident.
Legalization of Marijuana and the unforeseen consequences.
Other criminal justice or law enforcement matters.
The research paper should be between 2000 to 2500 words. The research project
must be done in APA style, either the sixth or seventh edition (https://apastyle.apa.org/),
with the appropriate headings. Title pages, abstracts, references, and appendages are not
part of the page count. Additionally, students must have at least two book resources and
two peer-reviewed journal articles, with professional journals having a preferred
standing.
If a student has chosen a criminal case or event, such as a murder or serial killer,
it is suggested that the event be relatively short. Serial killers, such as BTK and the
Green River Killer, have committed offenses over decades, requiring a more in-depth
approach to the required research. A single case or event, quick intervention by law
enforcement, modern offenders, or investigative procedures will provide substantial
resources and an enhanced constructed research paper of this required duration.
Furthermore, criminal offenders such as Susan Smith, Jodi Arias, and Larry Nassar are
better suited for shorter papers.
Students will discuss the history of the selection and biography; students will
explain the policy and how it works or how the criminal justice system processed the
individual. Additionally, students must determine if the criminal justice system handled
the individual fairly, legally, and morally. Finally, if the student has chosen a policy or
law, discuss its legality, whether it is fair or unfairly affects any person or class, and any
historical references. Research projects are not to be opinion-based.
Taboo research topics:
Jeffrey Dahmer.
John F. Kennedy Assassination.
Conspiracy theories are not backed soundly by scientific evaluation.
part of the page count. Additionally, students must have at least two book resources and
two peer-reviewed journal articles, with professional journals having a preferred
standing.
If a student has chosen a criminal case or event, such as a murder or serial killer,
it is suggested that the event be relatively short. Serial killers, such as BTK and the
Green River Killer, have committed offenses over decades, requiring a more in-depth
approach to the required research. A single case or event, quick intervention by law
enforcement, modern offenders, or investigative procedures will provide substantial
resources and an enhanced constructed research paper of this required duration.
Furthermore, criminal offenders such as Susan Smith, Jodi Arias, and Larry Nassar are
better suited for shorter papers.
Students will discuss the history of the selection and biography; students will
explain the policy and how it works or how the criminal justice system processed the
individual. Additionally, students must determine if the criminal justice system handled
the individual fairly, legally, and morally. Finally, if the student has chosen a policy or
law, discuss its legality, whether it is fair or unfairly affects any person or class, and any
historical references. Research projects are not to be opinion-based.
Taboo research topics:
Jeffrey Dahmer.
John F. Kennedy Assassination.
Conspiracy theories are not backed soundly by scientific evaluation.