Every crime begins with human behaviour. This opening module introduces the foundations of criminal psychology, examining why people offend and how biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors influence criminal actions.

Mental health can affect behaviour in many different ways, but it is only one piece of a much larger picture. You’ll explore common mental disorders, their relationship with offending behaviour, and how they are considered within Canada’s criminal justice system.

Not every offence is investigated in the same way. This module examines different categories of crime, including violent crime, property offences, cybercrime, organised crime, financial crime, and youth crime, while exploring crime trends across Canada.

Science has become one of the most valuable tools in criminal investigations. Discover how forensic evidence is collected, analysed, preserved, and presented to support investigations and criminal proceedings.

Behind every successful investigation is accurate information. Learn how intelligence analysts gather, organise, evaluate, and interpret information to identify criminal networks, emerging threats, and patterns of offending.

Successful analysts rely on much more than technology. This module explores critical thinking, analytical reasoning, communication, ethical decision-making, report writing, and information management skills used within intelligence teams.

Reliable intelligence depends on reliable research. Explore qualitative and quantitative research methods, crime statistics, data interpretation, evidence evaluation, and the role of research in supporting informed investigative decisions.

Good intelligence is only valuable when it leads to sound decisions. This module explores structured decision-making techniques, threat assessment, risk evaluation, cognitive bias, and analytical frameworks used to support investigations and public safety.

Criminal profiling combines behavioural science with logical reasoning to better understand unknown offenders. You’ll examine how investigators interpret crime scene evidence, behavioural patterns, and psychological characteristics while recognising both the strengths and limitations of profiling.

Profiling is a step-by-step investigative process rather than guesswork. Follow each stage, from analysing crime scenes and victim information to developing offender characteristics and refining investigative leads as new evidence becomes available.

Behavioural profiling can help investigators narrow suspects and better understand offender actions. This module explores behavioural investigative advice, offender motivations, crime linkage analysis, and how profiling contributes to complex criminal investigations in Canada.

Understanding victims is just as important as understanding offenders. Learn how victim characteristics, lifestyle factors, vulnerability, and victim-offender relationships contribute to investigations while examining the importance of victim rights and support services across Canada.

Complete the course with an overview of Canada’s criminal justice system. Explore the roles of municipal, provincial, and federal police services, the courts, correctional institutions, rehabilitation programs, and the legal principles that guide criminal investigations and justice across the country.