InsaneJournal

202 // Criminology Class // Open to all
[ It's a good thing this class is only an hour long, with how antsy Reid is today. With Hotch showing up you'd think that he'd have better things to do but their fearless leader will need some time to adjust and Morgan seemed to be on that, so the class will be on like scheduled. It's a good enough distraction, even if it's all too obvious that his mind is on other things when he isn't talking about victimology.

Good thing there's a roleplay session planned. He probably won't be able to keep his concentration for the full hour anyway. ]

HISTORICAL SERIAL KILLER — David Berkowitz.

David Richard Berkowitz, also known as the Son of Sam and the .44 Caliber Killer, is an American serial killer convicted of a series of shooting attacks that began in the summer of 1976. Perpetrated with a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver, the shootings continued for over a year, leaving six victims dead and seven others wounded. As the toll mounted, Berkowitz eluded a massive police manhunt while leaving brazen letters which promised further murders. Highly publicized in the press, the killings terrorized the people of New York City and achieved worldwide notoriety.

Although Berkowitz had originally been dubbed the ".44 Caliber Killer" because of his signature weapon, the letters he left on the scene of the crimes soon gave the press the moniker "Son of Sam", which rapidly eclipsed the old name. After his arrest and upon confessing to the crimes, Berkowitz claimed that he'd been commanded to kill by a demon that possessed his neighbors dog. In the mid-1990s he amended his confession to claim that he had been the member of a murderous Satanic cult that orchestrated the incidents as ritual murder. Though some law enforcement authorities have argued that Berkowitz's claims are credible and a new investigation was launched in 1996, it was suspended indefinitely after inconclusive findings.

[ Wiki]


PSYCHOLOGY — Victimology

Victimology, or the study of victims is an examination of every facet of their lifestyle, background, health and physical characteristics. It is hoped that through an in-depth examination of the victims, we may know the perpetrator a little better. Victimology is important in the overall investigative process because it not only tells us who the victims were, their health and personal history, social habits and personality, but also provides ideas as to why they were chosen as victims. In many situations, the offender will hold back from choosing a victim until one that meets his needs comes along, possibly allowing him to fulfill some fantasy or desire he has. Because of this, the way the victim is chosen is important and gives an insight into how the offender thinks, which subsequently affects how the perpetrator acts. If we are able to determine how the offender is acting now, we may be better able to determine his future behavior, possibly leading to a successful arrest.

Closely related to victimology are the concepts of method of approach, method of attack and risk assessment. If we know details of the victims' personalities (i.e. they may be naturally cautious), then we may be able to determine, in conjunction with an analysis of the crime scene, how they were initially approached by the offender. The same will apply for the way they were attacked and overpowered. If this information is not distinguishable through the crime scene, then an analysis of the victims' overall risk, that is, the chances of them becoming a victim, may be of some help. If we examine this along with the risks the offender was willing to take to acquire a certain victim, then we will have an overall picture of who the victim was and what drove the offender to choose this particular person as a victim.

[ Article on victimology in the investigative process.]


PRACTICAL APPLICATION — Victimology Roleplaying.

• Take a few minutes to make up a serial killer. Try to take into account what we've discussed today — how does this killer choose his or her victims? Do they charm them? Take them by force? Do they have a preferred area to hunt? Some event in their background that draws them to a particular type of person?

• In pairs, take turns to give each other the information about the victim as it would be found by law enforcement. Remember to only give information that would be readily available to the investigators, such as details about the crime scene and method of murder. From this information, try to deduct what the killer is like.

• Switch partners when both participants have figured out the details about the killer. You can reuse your first imagined killer, or think up a new one.

Q&A

[ A Q&A thread can be found here for all your question-based needs! There is also a suggestions box available — just note that your character is dropping a note in the box in the subject header and it will be brought up during the next class! ]