Tertiary Catalogue

Criminal (or Offender) Profiling is an area that’s currently capturing the public imagination once more in TV shows like Mindhunter and Criminal Minds. But what’s the reality behind the hype? This film introduces students to a range of ideas and issues, from defining different types of criminal profiling, through outlining what profilers do to perhaps the most important question of all: Does profiling work? The film features contributions from leading contemporary UK profilers and psychologists - including Professors David Wilson and Craig Jackson - and uses a number of famous British and American case studies and examine different approaches to Criminal Profiling. Show Less

Hate Crime is high profile now. But the cases of violent hate crime we see in the media are just the tip of the iceberg: things like verbal abuse, bullying, threats, and damage to property have become just another part of everyday life for many people. This film, featuring one of the UK's leading hate crime researchers, Professor Neil Chakraborti, looks at what hate crime is, how it can be measured and why popular media stereotypes of typical hate offenders are so misleading. Show Less

It seems obvious to most people that crime and social order are opposites. But more than a century ago French sociologist, Emile Durkheim, suggested that it wasn't that simple. This film looks at the introduction of Zero Tolerance Policing in New York, the imprisonment of Dr Jack Kevorkian for assisting terminally-ill patients to die and the tragic murder in the UK of Jamie Bulger, to illustrate Durkheim's three key functions of crime. It concludes by looking at how the legacy of these ideas has been so influential in the development of criminology. Show Less

Does situational crime prevention actually work, or is crime simply displaced to a neighbouring area? This film tells the story of an experiment in situational crime prevention by the Cambridge Institute of Criminology conducted in Stoke-on-Trent, a medium sized British city. The streets of an experimental area were re-lit with more powerful lighting. The researchers then monitored changes in crime and fear of crime in the experimental area, a neighbouring area and a control area in a different part of the city. The film provides students with a powerful example to illustrate the strengths and limitations of situational crime prevention. Show Less

The most consistent finding in the study of crime is the relationship between crime and gender. In almost every country, over 80% of crime is committed by males. But in recent years, the gender gap has been closing: the male crime rate has been steadily falling while the female crime rate, especially for violent crime, has been increasing. In the US, for example, the number of women in prison has almost doubled in the last 25 years. This short film looks at explanations for gender differences in crime and why things may be changing. Show Less

Refugee crises often eclipse individual experience and become just about the statistics. This video spotlights the case of Maya, a 16 year old refugee of the 2011 Syrian Civil War, and explores the struggles faced by refugees before and after fleeing a war-torn country. A highly relevant resource, this is recommended viewing for junior to middle secondary students studying civics and citizenship. Show Less

Lured by cunning recruiting tactics, thousands of people from around the world left their countries to join ISIS. Public resistance to the reintegration of defectors has been strong. This video spotlights the case of Shamima Begum, whose UK citizenship was removed after she joined ISIS at the age of 15. A highly relevant resource, this is recommended viewing for junior to middle secondary students studying civics and citizenship. Show Less

Few things are considered more precious than the life of an infant and the protection of life goes to the core of human rights principles. This video spotlights the case of critically ill infant Charlie Gard, in which courts gave rulings based on medical opinions that were against the wishes of Charlie’s parents. A highly relevant resource, this is recommended viewing for junior to middle secondary students studying civics and citizenship. Show Less

Eyewitness testimony and its veracity presents problems for juries and judges, according to the University of California's Dr Elizabeth Loftus. She tells Eve Ash that this intersection of psychology and law has revealed that the more confident a witness, the more they are believed even if their memories are mistaken. More than 300 people, such as Steven Titus (misidentified as a rapist) have been convicted through faulty or false memories. The problem is compounded when zealous detective coach witnesses, or when false and distorted memories are "implanted". People sometimes cling to a mistaken belief, even when the evidence shows they are wrong. Show Less

Eve Ash discusses why people tell lies with the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Professor Robert Feldman, a specialist in psychological and brain sciences. He has studied lying for many years and observes that (1) all people tell lies in different situations; (2) many are not truthful on their resumes and in job interviews; (3) sometimes people confabulate to fill memory gaps caused by stressful or traumatic conditions. In crime situations, he explains that false memories occur, and people's eagerness to find a culprit sometimes leads to the wrong person being convicted. You can't always tell a liar from their physical cues (e.g. excessive blinking, looking away). This can cause deception bias and investigations clouded by tunnel vision. Dr Feldman and Eve Ash discuss the case of Sue Neill-Fraser, convicted and jailed for murder in Tasmania in 2010. Show Less

In this video, retired detective Colin McLaren discusses with Eve Ash how workplaces can be sitting ducks for crimes such as theft, dishonesty and cyberattacks. He advocates ramping up security, investing in the right applications and consultants, and clamping down on abuse of privilege. Having strong policies and rules about use of company cars and credit cards is essential. So too are standard operating procedures (SOPs) and random checks for pornography, drugs and alcohol. With social media, less personal information sharing is best. Check people's backgrounds when recruiting and ensure strong audit trails and double-checking for those with discretion over company money. Show Less

Today's workplaces and taskforces require all the safety and security they can get, former homicide task force leader Colin McLaren tells Eve Ash. Preventing crime at work starts with implementing proactive safety and security policies. It requires being on the lookout for warning signs (e.g. unusual behaviors, moods, threats, bullying, thefts) and diffusing buildups where possible. Leaders should consult a safety expert and introduce newsletters, scenario training and security protocols. A business's assets also need securing and proper surveillance. Be vigilant with the surrounds of your business too—look out for arson and vandalism. It comes down to a culture of safety, training and good policies. Show Less

Former homicide task force leader, Colin McLaren explains to Eve Ash how effective researching and interviewing is on par with being a sleuth. Too many people are casual about details. Colin stresses the importance of getting to the source of the issue and establishing all the facts until they are mastered. He balances a competitive instinct for digging deepest with the necessity for retaining an open mind when considering a problem. It is essential to be fearless in your presentation of information, challenging when it's called for, seeking correct outcomes and remaining as accurate as possible. Get it right first time, he counsels—never give up. Follow procedures and maintain your principles. Show Less

Former homicide task force leader and author Colin McLaren explains to Eve Ash the subtle art of asking investigative questions. A workplace investigator or manager trying to ascertain the truth and resolve a problem needs to visualise their interview goal, then chart a series of questions with a suspect or employee. Questions must be subtle, short (to establish and confirm facts), open-ended, methodical and numerous, monitoring the person's responses and taking cues from what they say. Colin discusses the importance of building rapport and listening with an open mind. Above all, body language must be calm and professional. Put in the effort to get the truth. Show Less

When it comes to organising a taskforce or project team for a complex job or serious problem, Colin McLaren, a former homicide task force leader, tells Eve Ash it essential to recruit the best people with relevant experience, qualifications, energy and drive. The taskforce needs excellent communications and information sharing processes, the capacity to debrief when things are stressful, the best equipment for the job and high standards. Above all, leaders must stay focused, remembering to post all salient points, progress and successes, and acknowledging people while maintaining confidentiality. Show Less

The word ‘Anzac’ holds an important place in contemporary Australian political and cultural consciousness. This video looks into the origins of the Anzac spirit and the role it has to play in shaping modern Australian society. Students will learn about the ways in which the ANZACs are commemorated, and hear a range of opinions on what ‘Anzac’ means for the Australians of today. Show Less

The Gallipoli campaign was one of the most significant events of World War I for Australian troops. This video introduces the events of the Gallipoli invasion and how the actions of the soldiers there have contributed to the lasting legacy of the ANZACs. Students will learn about what happened at Gallipoli, from the initial landing to major events such as the August Offensive, and the final evacuation and retreat. Show Less

Supporting Great Britain in the Great War meant that Australian troops fought on many battlefields around the globe between 1914 and 1918. This video looks at the theatres of war in which Australian soldiers fought and the conditions they endured there, such as trench warfare. Students will learn about the differences in the nature of warfare in various battles, including Gallipoli, the Western Front and Palestine. Show Less

As a dominion of the British Empire, it was inevitable for Australia to be drawn into the First World War. This video explores Australian attitudes towards enlistment during WWI and how these changed over the course of the war and highlights the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers. Student will understand how public opinion affected Australian participation in the war effort. Show Less

The First World War was fought on a scale never seen before. This video investigates the many and complex causes of this global conflict. Students will learn about the system of alliances that contributed to the powder keg that was Europe in 1914, as well as the spark that ignited the Great War that would embroil nations around the globe. Show Less

It’s 1987, South Sudan is in conflict, children from villages are seized and forced to join enemy armed forces. Eleven-year-old Abraham is herding cattle in the fields when pandemonium broke out in the village: gunfire, screaming and the village torched. He and the other boys run for their lives. It would be thirty years before he is reunited with the rest his family. With a group of children, he walks for months to the relative safety of Ethiopia. Here they build a camp and live for four years. Then once again war forces them to walk for another year, back to South Sudan and then to Kenya. Wherever they go the boys play football. Luckily, Abraham is a natural and finds recognition and acclaim. Football is his safe place, his family, his home. Show Less

It’s 1999 and Atika and her family flee to a refugee camp in Quata, Pakistan. They are Hazara people and Afghanistan has become too dangerous for them. Atika being a girl could not be educated in the small country village where they had lived because girls once they are over 10 years old are not allowed to leave the house unaccompanied. Atika’s 60-year old father leaves his family and makes his way to Australia in the hope of creating a better life for them. Before he leaves, he urges Attika to study diligently in the refugee camp while she waits for their acceptance into Australia. This is the story of a girl who given the opportunities of a free and democratic nation becomes a highly educated and grateful Australian. Show Less

It’s 1999, Iraq and Christians are subject to discrimination, government-sanctioned intimidation and routine violence. Kabil has a jewellery business that has been in the family for many generations, but for Mandean Christians, Iraq is becoming increasingly unsafe. A clandestine, middle-of-the-night journey to Jordan is the beginning of this family’s disintegration. Lack of finances force Kabil to make a most invidious choice: the family must be separated. Fearing for the safety of his eldest daughter, he takes her and his young son and leaves his wife with the other four children, in Jordan. None of them know how long they will be parted or even if they are ever to be re-united. Love, hope, commitment and strength are their allies. Show Less

It’s 1993, Burundi, and Fablice is a seven-year-old orphan. His parents, one a Hutu the other a Tutsi, are victims of the civil war that ravages Burundi for twelve years. Though living on the street, Fablice attends school during the day, and for a time manages to avoid being dragooned into the army. Eventually he is taken from school and forced to become a child-soldier. After much ill-treatment and many foiled attempts to escape he succeeds, and with the help of relatives he is re-united in a Rwandan refugee camp with his sister and her child. In 2007 all three of them are granted visas to Australia: ‘a place where black people are considered a delicacy’, he is told by friends in the camp. This is a story of resilience, humour and hope. Show Less

It's 1979 Vietnam: post-Vietnam war, but at war with Cambodia, husband in re-education camp, and children teenagers; what can you do to save them? Send them to America. Easier said than done; but Carina’s mother takes the risk. She secures a place for her three young children on a people smuggler’s boat, and sixteen-year-old Carina, being the eldest, is charged with securing the safety of her siblings. After avoiding pirates and surviving an attack from the Malaysian authorities, Carina and her boatload of people arrive in Indonesian waters only to be dumped on an uninhabited island, without any supplies or facilities. Initially there were four hundred refugees but by the time they are discovered by UNHCR their numbers had swelled to one thousand. Carina’s story of courage, kindness, perseverance and teenage self-consciousness illustrates just how similar we all are; and, no matter how dark the times may seem the smallest acts of generosity are enough to keep our faith in the universality of love. Show Less