Melissa Pritchett

Dr. Melissa Pritchett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Central Missouri's Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. Her research focuses on biosocial criminology, exploring the intersection of genetics and environmental factors in antisocial behavior. She teaches courses such as Criminology, Graduate Methods of CJ Research, and special topics like Violence and the Brain, Forensic Psychology of Eyewitness Identification, and Jury Behavior.

• Education:
• Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University (2014)
• M.S. in Criminal Justice & Forensic Psychology, Tiffin University (2010)
• B.A. in Psychology, The College of Wooster (2008)

Her research interests emphasize the biological and social underpinnings of crime, with recent work analyzing video games (e.g., BioShock, Resident Evil) as cultural artifacts reflecting criminal justice themes. She actively mentors student research at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Dr. Pritchett's publications span biosocial criminology, forensic psychology, and methodological studies, often blending quantitative analyses with sociological and psychological frameworks.