Week 6: The Process: Phase II – Concepts Relating to the Victim

Laureate Education (Producer). (2017b). Analyzing evidence in relationship to victims [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.

Credit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.

Phase II of the criminal investigative analysis process also includes an in-depth look at the victim of the crime. Developing a compilation of all the information relating to the victim of a crime can be difficult. There are emotional challenges, as the analyst needs to be detached while still seeing the humanity of the victim. Overcoming those challenges will allow the analyst to look at the victim from various perspectives including long-term traits and characteristics, general lifestyle, relationships, recent changes, and circumstances surrounding the offense. The more that is known about the victim, the more that is known about the crime and the offender.

This week you continue Phase II of the criminal investigative analysis process with a focus on the victim. You also look at the pre-offense, offense, and post-offense actions of the victim to help determine the victim/offender dynamics.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze evidence in relationship to the victim of a crime
• Analyze the victimology of an offense

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Turvey, B. E. (2012). Criminal profiling: An introduction to behavioral evidence analysis (4th ed.). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

• Chapter 7, “Forensic Victimology” (pp. 163–187)
• Chapter 8, “Sexual Deviance” (pp. 187–212)
• Chapter 9, “Sexual Asphyxia” (pp. 213–234)
• Chapter 10, “False Reports” (pp. 235–252)

Discussion: Open Forum

An analysis of the evidence related to the victim of a crime may provide insight into why this particular individual was the victim of this particular crime. It may also ascertain any information that provides insight into victim selection (specifically chosen, victim of opportunity, etc.) and if the crime was less about the victim and more about circumstances.

In this Open Forum Discussion, you continue your conversation about the course case, focusing on concepts related to the victim.

To prepare for the Discussion:

Review the evidence of the case related to the victim.

By Day 3

Post a response to the following:

• What are your initial thoughts of the victim that impact your analysis of the offense?
• What other things would you like to know about the victim?
• As you reviewed the evidence concerning the victim, what other issues are surfacing/presenting?

By Day 5

Respond to at least two of your colleagues with a substantive, interactive discussion that continues through Day 7 by responding to their questions and providing additional insight into the case.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:
Week 6 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5

To participate in this Discussion:
Week 6 Discussion

Assignment: Investigating a Crime: Phase II – Concepts Related to the Victim

Phase II of the criminal investigative analysis process continues with a focus on the victim. Victimology is evaluated in three stages:

• Pre-Offense – All information providing insight on such things as:
  • Victim selection
  • Victim risk level (high/low)
  • Possible relationship to offender
• Offense – All information providing insight on such things as:
  • Victim actions during offense
  • Nature of the offense
  • Relationship to offender
• Post-Offense – In homicides, actions by offender can sometimes provide insight into:
  • Motivations
  • Offender/victim relationship

To prepare for this assignment:

• Review the evidence in the criminal report related to the victim.

By Day 7

In a 2- to 3-page analysis of the victim include:

• Pre-offense behavior
• Offense behavior
• Post-offense behavior victimology
• Victim risk level
• Victim/offender dynamics

Support your conclusion with references to specific evidence.

Complete and submit the Assignment.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

• Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK6Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
• Click the Week 6 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
• Click the Week 6 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
• Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK6Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
• If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
• Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.