Chapter 4 Victimology

Forensic Vocabulary Witness statement: declaration/statement given by a witness pertaining to a certain crime Antagonist: person who is hostile and actively opposes authority Cynical: distrustful of human nature Maniacal: characterized by ungovernable excitement

Forensic Vocabulary Menacing: possible danger or threat Suspicious: questionable, distrustful Modus operandi: “method of operation”; used to describe a suspect’s habits Threat: declaration of intent to harm someone/something Coercion: forcing another party to act in an involuntary matter

Victimology What is Victimology? Study of relationships between victims and offenders. Understanding these relationships is very important in solving a crime. This is key in linking the suspect to the victim, and then the suspect to the crime scene.

Victimology The following questions are important to consider before beginning an investigation: What type of crime was committed? Has the same type of crime with the same type of circumstances occurred recently? Is there any way to link more than one crime together? Is there any way to link a suspect to a victim?

Type of Crime The type of crime committed is the easiest of these to answer. The type of crime committed can be an expression of emotions from the suspect. Individual characteristics set one crime apart from another. Class characteristics: can belong to multiple people Individual characteristics: unique to 1 person

Circumstances If more than one crime occurs in the same area (city, town, or state), then investigators can try to link crimes together. For example: There have been 3 murders in a city in the past 2 weeks. All 3 bodies have been found in allies. On all bodies found, a playing card from a deck has been left behind.

Likenesses If an investigator can link one crime to another, it makes it easier to catch the suspect. More crimes = more chances to leave evidence. The more evidence an investigator has, the more he/she has to present in court.

Forensic Vocabulary Alias: fake name used by a person to deceive others Annihilation: the act of destroying something Chronological: arranged in the order in which the events happened Asphyxiation: medical term for suffocation Habit: an established custom

Linking a Suspect to a Victim This can be done by linking: Relationships Common friends Areas of common interest Common means of travel By linking these common areas between a suspect and a victim, a relationship between the suspect and victim can be discovered.

Understanding the Suspect It is very important for investigators to fully understand the mental and emotional state of the suspect. Helps form a better image of suspect. Helps begin process of elimination. Helps better understand why victim picked the suspect and type of crime.

Ch. 4 Sec. 1 Pop Quiz 1) What is victimology? 2) List 2 of the 4 questions that are important to consider before beginning an investigation. 3) Name 1 thing that makes it easier for investigators to catch a suspect. 4) What is the difference between menacing and maniacal?

Vocabulary Review Using Your Vocabulary from Ch. 4, answer the following questions. Fill in the blank with the appropriate vocabulary term. Your vocabulary quiz for Ch. 4 is tomorrow.

Vocabulary Review 1) _____:a person who is hostile and actively opposes authority 2) _____:arranged in the order in which the events happened. 3) _____: characterized by ungovernable excitement 4) _____: declaration/statement given by a witness pertaining to a certain crime

Vocabulary Review 5) _____: an established custom 6) _____: fake name used by a person to deceive others 7) _____: forcing another party to act in an involuntary matter 8) _____: the act of destroying something 9) _____: possible danger or threat

Vocabulary Review 10) _____: distrustful of human nature 11) _____: declaration of intent to harm someone/something 12) _____: questionable, distrustful 13) _____: “method of operation”; used to describe a suspect’s habits 14) _____: medical term for suffocation

Forensic Vocabulary Acid: a corrosive substance that has a sour taste when mixed with water Base: slippery substance that has a bitter taste Bullet track: the path of a bullet as it passes through matter Indicator: chemical used to determine the presence of an acid or base

Forensic Vocabulary Luminol: chemical capable of detecting bloodstains that have been removed from a given area Trajectory: the path of an object as it moves through space Energy: an exertion of force Hypothesis: an educated guess Quantitative data: any data with numbers

Case Studies You will make your own case study. Needs to be a blend of a case study and a short story. You may pick the type of crime, characters, location, events surrounding crime, etc. This needs to be very descriptive and creative. The audience should be able to visualize what you are thinking through reading this story.

Case Studies Must include: Suspect At least 1 crime Victim At least 1 crime scene

Case Studies Must turn in the following: Brainstorm (general idea of what you will write about) Type of crime: Location: Suspect: Victim: Case Study (1 page in length)

Case Studies Your case study must include the following vocabulary: Witness statement, cynical, suspicious, modus operandi, threat, alias, luminol, energy, hypothesis These should be used in the correct form and not just placed in a random sentence.

Forensic Vocabulary Interpretation: an explanation of a concept or object Coroner: an expert who confirms the death of an individual Serial: anything in the form of a series (repetition) Obligatory: required by a legal or moral rule Roster: list of people involved in an event

Forensic Vocabulary International: involving more than 1 country Fortitude: courage in pain and adversity Optimal: most favorable or desirable Deduce: arrive at a logical conclusion Conclusion: an explanation of results