How Important is “Victimology” in the Criminal Justice Field?

Summary:

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.

Body:

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.