6- The background
|
Another fundamental purpose of assessing victimology is to acquire a thorough understanding of the victim, their lifestyle and the degree to which they may or may not have contributed to their own victimization. The victim’s role in the incident may range from innocence or ignorance to recklessness, negligence and disregard for their own safety. An accurate plotting of the victim’s risk level should not be based on the diagnosis of lifestyle alone. The screening process should also include the application of the following referenced filters: situation, circumstances and environment.
|
Another fundamental purpose of assessing victimology is to acquire a thorough understanding of the victim, their lifestyle and the degree to which they may or may not have contributed to their own victimization. The victim’s role in the incident may range from innocence or ignorance to recklessness, negligence and disregard for their own safety. An accurate plotting of the victim’s risk level should not be based on the diagnosis of lifestyle alone. The screening process should also include the application of the following referenced filters: situation, circumstances and environment.
In the context of victimology, the situation will be defined as a description and/or clarification of the physical location, place or site wherein an incident occurs. It isolates and portrays the “where” in relation to the event. Additionally, consideration should be given to the “emotional” or mental state or condition of the victim at or proximate to the incident. Both the physical location and mental/emotional state of the victim may influence their choices, responses, and reactions.
The circumstances of the situation will describe the accompanying influence factors or accessory conditions that may have contributed to the victimization and its outcome. These factors illustrate the particular components which may assist in addressing the “why” of the victimization. These characteristics will further begin to unravel circumstantial aspects that may suggest whether the victim was targeted or a victim of opportunity.
The environment will reflect a detailed account of the physical location (situation) associated with the event. It may include the assessment of the social, cultural, geographical and temporal composite of the victimization site. The examination of the environment will assist in revealing any relationship between the victim and the environment, the offender and the environment and/or the victim and offender and the environment.
While processing the foregoing elements of victimology, the investigator becomes acutely aware of the dynamics occurring between each of them. Each element and their interdependent association formulate a progressive system which can effectively unravel mysteries. This approach can begin to incrementally lead the investigation toward an increased probability of successful resolution.
The investigative application of these interdependent and dynamic elements has often betrayed the offender while revealing principles which have successfully guided an investigation to probabilities over possibilities. We have found in our assessments that the accurately plotted victim risk level produced by this process may also lead the investigator to an educated and credible opinion of the relationship between the victim and the offender.
In the context of victimology, the situation will be defined as a description and/or clarification of the physical location, place or site wherein an incident occurs. It isolates and portrays the “where” in relation to the event. Additionally, consideration should be given to the “emotional” or mental state or condition of the victim at or proximate to the incident. Both the physical location and mental/emotional state of the victim may influence their choices, responses, and reactions.
The circumstances of the situation will describe the accompanying influence factors or accessory conditions that may have contributed to the victimization and its outcome. These factors illustrate the particular components which may assist in addressing the “why” of the victimization. These characteristics will further begin to unravel circumstantial aspects that may suggest whether the victim was targeted or a victim of opportunity.
The environment will reflect a detailed account of the physical location (situation) associated with the event. It may include the assessment of the social, cultural, geographical and temporal composite of the victimization site. The examination of the environment will assist in revealing any relationship between the victim and the environment, the offender and the environment and/or the victim and offender and the environment.
While processing the foregoing elements of victimology, the investigator becomes acutely aware of the dynamics occurring between each of them. Each element and their interdependent association formulate a progressive system which can effectively unravel mysteries. This approach can begin to incrementally lead the investigation toward an increased probability of successful resolution.
The investigative application of these interdependent and dynamic elements has often betrayed the offender while revealing principles which have successfully guided an investigation to probabilities over possibilities. We have found in our assessments that the accurately plotted victim risk level produced by this process may also lead the investigator to an educated and credible opinion of the relationship between the victim and the offender.