New at Hurst: Benjamin Baughman, Ph.D.

Chris Borraccia, Contributing writer

This year, former police detective and crime analyst Benjamin Baughman, Ph.D., joined Mercyhurst University as an assistant professor in Intelligence Studies.

After graduating from high school, Baughman joined the Raleigh Police Department and soon became inspired by David Canter, author of the book “Criminal Shadows,” who used psychological techniques to apprehend John Duffy and David Mulcahy, who had conspired to rape and murder multiple victims.

“Not only was he showing and displaying that these techniques could work, he was showing in real time that they do work,” said Baughman. “I wanted to make sure that I was utilizing some methods that would help us tackle crime in a better way, more effectively.”

In 2006, Baughman enrolled at the University of Liverpool to complete his M.S. in Investigative Psychology. He used statistical analysis to create a criminal and geographical profile of an offender.

The analysis considered many components that may increase the likelihood that an individual will commit a crime, including sex, age, education and relationship status. This data has been used to convict criminals.

Baughman eventually completed his Ph.D. in Investigative Psychology at the University of Huddersfield. In 2016, he spent a week on the Mercyhurst campus, and began reaching out to his FBI contacts to investigate the credibility of the university, its Intelligence Studies program in particular.

“One of my friends with the FBI said it was 100 percent a great place, and every person that we’ve gotten from Mercyhurst, has been well-qualified (and) well trained,” said Baughman. “To be part of (Mercyhurst) is great. It’s something I’m looking forward to.”