1. Forensic Victimology 2nd Edition
Chapter One: Victimology - A Brief History with an Introduction to Forensic Victimology

2. History of Victimology
In modern criminal justice system, the word victim has come to describe any person who has experienced injury, loss, or hardship due to the illegal action of another individual, group, or organization.
The term victimology first appeared in 1949 and was used to describe the study of individuals harmed by criminals.
In modern usage, the term victimology generally refers to the scientific study of victims and victimization, including the relationships between victim and offender, investigators, courts, corrections, media, and social movements.

3. History of Victimology
Jan Van Dijk (1999) proposed that there are two types of victimology:
General victimology
Studies victimity in the broadest sense, including those that have been harmed by accidents, natural disasters, war, etc.
Focuses on the treatment, prevention, and alleviation of the consequences of being victimized, regardless of the cause

4. History of Victimology
Interactionist (or penal) victimology
Combines issues concerning the causation of crimes with those relating to the victim’s role in the criminal proceedings, where victims are only those who become such as a result of crime
Focuses on advocacy for victims

5. History of Victimology
Jerin and Moriarty (1998) contend that there are three distinct historical eras defining the victims’ role within systems of justice:
The Golden Age
Existed prior to written laws and established governments, tribal law prevailed
Victims played a direct role in determining punishments for the unlawful actions that others committed against them or their property
Retribution was the resolution for criminal matters

6. History of Victimology
The Dark Age
Resulted from the emergence of structured local governments and the development of legal statutes
Offenses were viewed as perpetrated against the laws of the king or state, not just against the victim or the victim’s family
Focus shifted towards offender punishments and rights, as opposed to victim rights and restoration

7. History of Victimology
The Reemergence of the victim
Realization that victims were being overlooked as a source of information about crime and criminal
Studying victims led to the birth of traditional victimology as a discrete scientific endeavor

8. Key Figures
The origins of scientific victimology can be attributed to the following key figures in criminology:
Hans Von Hentig ( )
Sought to develop crime prevention strategies
Determined that certain victim characteristics played a role in shaping the crimes suffered
Believed that some victims contributed to their own victimization by virtue or many converging factors, not all of which were in their control
Classified victims into one of 13 categories

9. Key Figures The Young Females The Old
The Mentally Defective and Deranged
Immigrants
Minorities
Dull Normals
The Depressed
The Acquisitive
The Wanton
The Lonesome of Heartbroken
The Tormentor
The Blocked, Exempted, or Fighting

10. Key Figures Benjamin Mendelsohn
Became interested in the correlations between rapists and their victims
Developed the term victim precipitation
Developed a typology that categorizes the extent to which a victim is capable of his or her own demise (focusing on situational factors)
Completely innocent victims
Victim due to ignorance
Voluntary victim
Victim more guilty than the offender
Most guilty victim
Simulating or imaginary victim

11. Key Figures Stephen Schafer
Published the first textbook on the subject of victimology
Interviewed criminals and aimed to build upon the previous typologies, focusing on victim culpability
Proposed seven types of victim responsibility
Unrelated victims
Provocative victims
Precipitative victims
Biologically weak victims
Socially week victims
Self-victimizing
Political victims

12. Key Figures Marvin E. Wolfgang
First presented empirical research findings as support for his theories of victimology
Presented his study of police homicide records, which concluded that over a quarter of the homicides in the city of Philadelphia between involved an element of victim contribution and participation

13. Forensic Victimology: An Introduction
Forensic victimology is the objective study of victims, with a focus on impartially and completely describing all aspects of their life and lifestyle in order to gain a better understanding of how they came to be victimized, how the crime took place, and their relationship with the offender.

14. Forensic Victimology: An Introduction
Purpose
The purpose of forensic victimology is aimed at accurately, critically, and objectively describing the victim in order to better understand victims, crime, criminals, and forensic issues.
Forensic victimologists serve investigations and court proceedings by endeavoring to:
Assist in understanding elements of crime
Assist in developing a timeline
Define the suspect pool
Provide investigative suggestions
Assist with crime reconstruction

15. Forensic Victimology: An Introduction
Continued:
Assist with contextualizing allegations of victimizations
Assist with the development of offender modus operandi
Assist with the development of offender motive
Assist with case linkage
Assist with public safety response
Educate the court

16. Forensic Victimology: An Introduction
Philosophy
The philosophy behind studying victims in investigative and forensic contexts is that a complete understanding of victims and their circumstances will allow for a comprehensive and correct interpretation of the nature of their harm and loss.
It also provides insight into the plans and motives of those who committed the offense against them.

17. Forensic Victimology: An Introduction
Aim
The aim of forensic victimology is to assist in providing informed investigations, to require scientific examinations of victim evidence that is intended for court, and to result in more informed legal outcomes.