choose one of the crime scene scenarios in the “Crime Scene Scenarios” document in the Learning Resources. You will create and post your violent crime case analysis in the form of a 5-minute video. Familiarize yourself with the Kaltura interactive media resource, in the Learning Resources, for instructions on creating, uploading, and posting a video.
Analyze the offender characteristics from the crime scene interactive in the Learning Resources and consider what might have been the primary motivation and some secondary motivations for the crime.
Consider which of the following crime scene elements are present in the crime scene interactive, and how you might describe each and its potential meaning.
Staging
Undoing
Posing
Signatures
Consider whether the crime scene interactive is an example of expressive or instrumental crime? Or both? And why you think so.
From your perspective, what do you think is the most important part of this crime scene assessment in terms of the forensic psychology professional’s role and why.
Post a 5-minute Kaltura video in which you analyze the crime scene in this week’s interactive, and the accompanying case file, and respond to each of the following prompts:
Describe the offender characteristics from the crime scene.
Explain what you think was the primary motivation for the crime and secondary motivations, if any.
Describe which of the following crime scene elements are present, then explain their possible meaning.
Staging
Undoing
Posing
Signatures
Explain why you think this crime scene is an example of expressive crime, instrumental crime, or both.
From your perspective, what is the most important part of this crime scene assessment in terms of the forensic psychology professional’s role? Explain why.
Primary Motivation: The primary motivation appears to be expressive. The act of multiple, non-lethal stabs followed by a fatal one suggests a rage-filled, personal attack rather than a quick, efficient kill for gain. This is supported by the message on the note, which indicates a sense of betrayal or a moral judgment against the victim.
Secondary Motivations: Secondary motivations may include revenge, power, and control. The long, drawn-out attack, focusing on non-lethal areas first, demonstrates a desire to control the victim’s pain and suffering. The cryptic note suggests a sense of vindication or retaliation for a perceived wrong.
2. Crime Scene Elements
Staging: There is no evidence of staging. The scene appears to be exactly as the offender left it, with no attempt to deceive law enforcement about the crime's nature or motive.
Undoing: There is no evidence of undoing. The offender did not attempt to clean up or "fix" the crime in any way.
Posing: The crime scene does contain a specific act of posing: the victim's portrait has been turned to face the wall. This is a deliberate, symbolic act. It could signify the offender's rejection of the victim’s identity or public image. It's a non-physical, yet powerful act of defiance and disrespect.
Signatures: The crime scene contains a strong signature: the handwritten note and the specific manner of the stabs. The note, "You shouldn't have been so careless," is a clear message from the offender that goes beyond what's necessary to commit the crime. It's an emotional and psychological "calling card" that reveals a personal connection and motive. The specific, methodical nature of the wounds is also a signature, suggesting a need to inflict suffering and assert control.
3. Expressive vs. Instrumental Crime
This crime scene is a clear example of expressive crime. An instrumental crime is goal-oriented, such as a murder committed during a robbery for financial gain. This crime, however, is not about material gain; it's about the emotional and psychological fulfillment of the offender. The extended, personal nature of the attack, the symbolic act of posing, and the message left behind all point to a crime driven by rage, vengeance, or a deeply personal conflict. The crime itself is the goal, not a means to an end.
Sample Answer
Crime Scene Analysis: Hypothetical Scenario
Scenario: A male victim, a 45-year-old accountant named Arthur, is found dead in his meticulously clean, upscale apartment. There are no signs of forced entry. The victim has been stabbed multiple times, but the wounds appear to be non-lethal, focused on his limbs and torso, with the fatal wound being a single, deep stab to the heart. A large, ornate portrait of the victim has been turned around to face the wall. A small, handwritten note is found on the victim’s chest, which reads, “You shouldn't have been so careless.”
1. Offender Characteristics and Motivations
Based on this crime scene, the offender is likely someone who knew the victim well. The lack of forced entry suggests the victim either knew and trusted the offender or was caught off guard. The multiple, non-lethal wounds, followed by a single fatal one, suggest the offender was a man seeking control and power over his victim. The methodical nature of the scene—the clean apartment, the absence of a struggle—indicates a planned and deliberate act.