V is for Victimology




Today, I want to discuss a technique an investigator can employ to catch a perpetrator: victimology. Victimology is a field in forensic science, specifically it is the study of victim characteristics. The investigator looks at the victim’s personal, professional and social life to determine why they were selected at the specific location and time.

The show Criminal Minds dramatizes the lives of special agents with the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. The agents look over cases of serial killings and use similarities between victims to profile the unknown subject (unsub) in order to apprehend them. 

Victims fall into three categories: High-, medium- and low-risk. I used information from the HOW DUNIT series, Forensics: A Guide for Writers, pages 415-16, to explain the characteristics of the three victim categories.   


“High-risk victims are those who are frequently in high-risk situations. Prostitutes, particularly those who “walk the streets,” obviously fall into this category.”

-       nighttime employment
-       drug use
-       promiscuous lifestyle
-       association with people who possess criminal personalities

“Low-risk victims are those who stay close to work and home, doesn’t visit areas unfamiliar to them, have a steady job and many friends, doesn’t use drugs, and lock their doors at night.”

“Medium-risk victims fall between these two.”

Besides the type of risk associated with the victim, the unsub’s fantasy needs and the victim’s vulnerability can lend investigators insight to why a particular victim was selected. Either they were a victim of opportunity (wrong place at the wrong time) or they “fit the starring role” in the unsub’s fantasy. The unsub will “cruise” or stalk their victim to ensure they’re the right person.

The characteristics shared among the victims provides the investigators with not only the type of people at risk, but also an understanding of the unsub and why they are attacking these particular victims.

What shows do you use for inspiration or reference when writing?  

Comments

Jack Edwards Poetry said…
Wow such an interesting post. I have actually just finished an episode of 'Criminal Minds' on the TV. I had never bothered watching it before today :)
April 26, 2011 at 1:44 PM
A Girl and Her eBooks said…
Great post. Victimology was one of my favorite courses because it actually helped me process of the emotions of being a victim.
April 26, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Author Joshua Hoyt said…
This is so interesting good post. I love criminal minds as well
April 26, 2011 at 8:33 PM
Sarah Grigsby said…
I've used the How Dunit book too and found it to be a great resource. Great choice for V!
April 27, 2011 at 6:59 PM
Jeff Beesler said…
Soap operas sometimes help me work on how to get that cliffhanger in each scene. That way, I can keep the reader engaged as much as possible in the story.

Thanks for sharing, and it's a pleasure to meet you via the A-Z Challenge!
April 28, 2011 at 12:46 AM
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