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.