how important is “victimology” in the criminal justice field?
TRANSCRIPT
How Important Is “Victimology” In The Criminal Justice Field?
In responding to this question, Police Science Institute’s highly-recognized, online, academic
Courses in “Criminal Justice” and “Criminal Profiling” provide an extensive examination of the
vital area of “victimology”. But for the purposes of this article, we may highly summarize by
suggesting that “victimology” is effectively the “study of the victim (or victims) of a particular
offender, and, may be further defined as "the thorough study and analysis of victim
characteristics".
In reality, victimology holds the same level of importance as weapons, eye witnesses and the
crime scene itself when considering all aspects of the crime having been committed. This
becomes especially true when Criminal Profilers are presented with a live victim who was the
last person to witness the actual crime, and, as such, may therefore be able to provide the best
possible behavioral and physical description of the offender.
An additional consideration involves a careful analysis of the victim's background. This may
provide the Criminal Profiler important ancillary information regarding the past activities or
lifestyle of the offender, and, could possibly lead directly to the identification or description of
the subject / suspect. As such, victimology is also vital to identifying suspects and determining
their motives.
Victimology therefore involves the collection and evaluation of important information regarding
the victim, his or her habits, behaviors and lifestyle. This can include information about where
the victim worked, his / her educational level, reputation, personal relationships, and, any history
of alcohol or drug abuse, etc.
And, the process of victimology further extends beyond the crime scene, and, delves into the
personal life of the victim. That investigation can include such matters as looking into the
victim’s emails, telephone calls, messages, letters and personal browsing-preferences on the
Internet, etc.
Today, it has been widely recognized that the best way to approach developing an accurate
profile is by way of using victimology, and, it has therefore become one (1) of the most
beneficial tools in classifying and solving a violent crime.