Forensic psychology special topics intensives are held virtually.

Psychology of Killing: Multiple Homicides, Mass Murders, Family Homicides, Killing Children, Random Murders and Suicides*

Facilitated by: Dr. Eric Hickey

This component of professional practice training is a psycho-behavioral analysis of killing designed especially for forensic psychology and criminal justice graduate students who are currently active or anticipate careers as law enforcement, forensic psychologists, attorneys, social workers, marriage and family therapists, victim specialists, victim advocates, and mental health practitioners interested in the psychological motivations and behavioral characteristics of offenders who kill their victims. The scope, definitions and variations in both stranger and domestic killing are explored through case analysis and current data. Participants will learn to distinguish typologies of killers, including parents and children who kill as well as mass murderers. Understanding levels of psychopathy or mental illness associated with killing will help participants appreciate the consuming nature of this crime.

The seminar explores the etiology and psycho-behavioral analysis of homicide in its many forms. Participants will explore motivations of killers, victim-offender relationships and levels of psychopathology. Special attention is given to motivations and weapons selection used in cases of domestic homicides and military murders. Current data will be examined involving filicides, mass murders, military murders, random killings, parricide and murders committed by mysopeds. Cultural and religious motivations, crime scenes, and sexual homicides are examined via case analysis. Best practices for homicide prevention are explored from a macro perspective. 

*Warning: This course contains extremely violent material.