7- The Principles
The following principles are derived from incorporating the foregoing elements and testing them against numerous case examples. The test cases include those worked by the author and compared with findings of police investigators from all over the world. This review was conducted while working hundreds of cases from across the nation and discussions with law enforcement personnel internationally, while instructing at the FBI National Academy. Although these principles generally apply, exceptions are anticipated as we recognize that we are dealing with human behavior and often variable factors.
VICTIMOLOGY CONTINUUM PRINCIPLE #1:
“The lower the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the probability that there was pre-association between the victim and the offender.”
“The lower the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the probability that there was pre-association between the victim and the offender.”
Certainly there are exceptions which are influenced by the filters of the situation, circumstances and environment. The filtering process will either validate the principle or explain the exception. Additionally, it does not imply necessarily that an intimate knowledge or familiar acquaintance between the victim/offender (V/0) exists. The association between the V/0 may range from quasi/casual contact up to and including an intimate/formal/social relationship. The low-risk victim can fall prey to a stranger-related interpersonal violent crime, due to the situation, circumstances and environment which exist at the time of the event. For example, a happily married woman whose life is socially centered around her husband and children and whose activities are limited to domestic associations would be generally considered “low-risk.” However, if she is situationally and circumstantially displaced to an unfamiliar environment, her risk level begins to incrementally advance toward medium and even “high risk.” If she is alone and driving on a remote and isolated interstate, her risk level is elevated by a number of situational, circumstantial and environmental factors. Consider her exposure to possible disastrous scenarios if her vehicle breaks down. She may be in unfamiliar territory, with no automotive knowledge, without a cell phone and therefore dependent on assistance from any stranger who happens by. She has progressed from low to medium to high risk and the consequences are potentially deadly.
The risk level is diffused if a highway patrol officer drives by, but what if a Ted Bundy type pulls up to assist her? Such things are what exceptions or accidents are made of. But generally stated, a low risk victim has had some contact or association with the offender. The contact may be completely innocuous. Moreover, the victim may never have even consciously been aware of the offender at the point of contact – but the offender fixated on the victim. This opens the door to principle number two.
The risk level is diffused if a highway patrol officer drives by, but what if a Ted Bundy type pulls up to assist her? Such things are what exceptions or accidents are made of. But generally stated, a low risk victim has had some contact or association with the offender. The contact may be completely innocuous. Moreover, the victim may never have even consciously been aware of the offender at the point of contact – but the offender fixated on the victim. This opens the door to principle number two.
VICTIMOLOGY CONTINUUM PRINCIPLE #2:
“The lower the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the consideration given that the victim was targeted by the offender.”
“The lower the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the consideration given that the victim was targeted by the offender.”
VICTIMOLOGY CONTINUUM PRINCIPLE #3:
“The higher the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the probability that the offender is a stranger to the victim.”
“The higher the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the probability that the offender is a stranger to the victim.”
Typically high-risk victims, as defined by lifestyle (prostitute, runaway, hitchhiker, drug addict, gang member, etc.), simply place themselves recklessly and without regard to their own personal safety in situations, circumstances and environments which elevate their risk level. Furthermore, they are willfully exposed to a variety of disreputable characters and unfavorable surroundings: they are consistently vulnerable, by choice and lifestyle, to the criminal element. This creates an atmosphere of predictable victimization, high-risk vulnerabilities, and predators. These victims are often victims of serial offenders who wait and watch and even seek for such victims to cross their path. This leads to the next and final principle.
VICTIMOLOGY CONTINUUM PRINCIPLE #4:
“The higher the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the probability that
the victim is one of opportunity.”
“The higher the victim's risk level to the associated crime, the higher the probability that
the victim is one of opportunity.”
The consistent high-risk lifestyle of the victim and associated dangerous vulnerabilities invite the notice and attention of the “human predator.” This unique criminal is on the hunt constantly, seeking, lurking with stealth and concentration for the “opportunity” to strike. They often wait, with confidence and patience, for this victim who easily falls prey to their design. The high-risk victim forfeits control over his/her fate while willingly stepping into situations, circumstances and environments which are within the dominion of the offender. The offender, often appearing harmless, is in fact a wolf in sheep’s clothing who cunningly and inconspicuously lures the victim into his control. This type of criminal is often disguised in a “legitimate” role to the victim (i.e., truck driver, “John,” hitchhiker, etc.) and when the situation, circumstances and environment are consistent with the offender’s design, the victim may be simply devoured, like the spider and the fly fable.
CONCLUSIONS
Victimology consists of the application and integration of asking the appropriate diagnostic questions, acquiring accurate data and then assimilating it through the filters and principles designed to lead the investigation. By using this approach, the investigator is better equipped to focus his energy and efforts to the reasonable probabilities rather than the chance of possibilities.
The foregoing insights illustrate how effectively an investigation can be guided by conducting a thorough victimology. By surgically applying the appropriate diagnostic questions, the investigator is better prepared to accurately “prescribe” scarce investigative resources more efficiently and effectively. The application of these principles and their benefits extend beyond the investigative approach. Victimology is the key to crime analysis. It is the foundation to understanding the crime, the offender, the criminal motive and the victim. The integration of victimology has multidimensional impact and multi-disciplinary considerations.
With a thorough victimology, the investigator will more effectually construct a guided investigation, as well as an interview or interrogation focus, and a prosecutor will be better equipped to formulate a strategy and court presentation reflecting the corpus delecti.
The mental health professional will better understand the offender’s thought process, motivations, personality and/or mental disorders for the purpose of assessing “risk” levels. The corrections officer will possess a tool which can assist in presenting clear and articulable data to be considered for accurate sentence determination. Finally, both judge and jury will be able to accurately and vicariously view and experience the victim’s plight. Transcending all of the practical aspects of victimology is the sincere hope that the victim will be viewed with the high degree of respect and honor deserved them, and moreover, that they will be vindicated in their adversity through our empathetic attention and the scathing blow of justice.
The foregoing insights illustrate how effectively an investigation can be guided by conducting a thorough victimology. By surgically applying the appropriate diagnostic questions, the investigator is better prepared to accurately “prescribe” scarce investigative resources more efficiently and effectively. The application of these principles and their benefits extend beyond the investigative approach. Victimology is the key to crime analysis. It is the foundation to understanding the crime, the offender, the criminal motive and the victim. The integration of victimology has multidimensional impact and multi-disciplinary considerations.
With a thorough victimology, the investigator will more effectually construct a guided investigation, as well as an interview or interrogation focus, and a prosecutor will be better equipped to formulate a strategy and court presentation reflecting the corpus delecti.
The mental health professional will better understand the offender’s thought process, motivations, personality and/or mental disorders for the purpose of assessing “risk” levels. The corrections officer will possess a tool which can assist in presenting clear and articulable data to be considered for accurate sentence determination. Finally, both judge and jury will be able to accurately and vicariously view and experience the victim’s plight. Transcending all of the practical aspects of victimology is the sincere hope that the victim will be viewed with the high degree of respect and honor deserved them, and moreover, that they will be vindicated in their adversity through our empathetic attention and the scathing blow of justice.