Criminology (Essay Sample)

Criminology Name of the student Institution Course Instructor Date              Criminology Introduction Among the most heinous crimes that have consistently intrigued and horrified people are serial killings. The general populace finds tremendous pain in this instance. The horrific experiences that victims of serial killings go through are examined in this essay, which also considers socioeconomic disparities and applies victimological theories to determine the nature and severity of trauma. Serial killers have truly proven that their killings are premeditated and also repetitious, causing great mental as well as emotional pain for both the victims and those that are close to them. Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, as well as Aileen Wuornos are a few examples of such people. The lives of the victims have been permanently destroyed, and even many years after the first incidents, they still experience fear and grief. This essay will examine the range of situations that victims encounter, demonstrating the permanent emotional, physical, and psychological scars caused by criminal activity. The essay makes use of victimological theories, including routine activity theory and victim precipitation theory, to draw attention to the victims' inherent weaknesses. The essay will also discuss the broad implications of social inequality, which exacerbates the risks that disadvantaged communities face due to racial as well as economic injustices. Through the application of critical perspective, the essay stresses how urgently significant societal reform is needed, arguing for continuous investigation, compassion, as well as structural adjustments towards ending the threat of serial killings while at the same time building a society that is safer and more equitable for all. Choosing a Type of Crime: Serial Killing Serial killings explore the most terrible mysteries of human nature and provide a horrific insight into the intricate structure of criminal conduct (Hodgkinson et al., 2017, pp. 282-289). The actions of Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Aileen Wuornos are a few instances of this type of behavior. These horrifying deeds stand out due to their deliberate nature and terrifying repetition. Serial killers meticulously plan their murders and choose which victims to kill according to predetermined criteria for a number of reasons, such as a severe psychological disease or a desire for power (Hodgkinson et al., 2017, pp. 282-289). The effects of their acts have permanently damaged the lives of the victims and their families. Ted Bundy was a lovely law student whose horrific acts terrified people all around the world. Under his alluring exterior was a heartless killer who, during the 1970s, abducted, molested, and killed several young girls (Sastry, 2020). The horrific ingenuity of serial killers was illustrated by his ability to trick his victims and remain out of the public eye for years (Sastry, 2020). Ted Bundy's case acts as a sobering reminder of the horrific toll that these atrocities exact, tearing up families and communities in the process. Aileen Wuornos, a peculiar female serial killer, gained notoriety in the late 1980s for her string of killings (Aldridge, 2022, pp. 35–55). Wuornos' troubled past as well as her work as a sex worker paint a troubling picture of the flaws that often plague victims of serial killers (Aldridge, 2022, pp. 35–55). Her narrative challenges societal perceptions of both perpetrators and victims while illuminating the complex web of interconnected events that can drive an individual towards extreme acts of violence. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jeffrey Dahmer, commonly referred to as the "Milwaukee Cannibal," committed a number of gruesome murders (Addingi, 2022, pp. 32–38). Through his acts, which included murder, necrophilia, as well as cannibalism, Dahmer revealed the unimaginable depths of human wretchedness (Addingi, 2022, pp. 32–38). His experience highlights both how hard it is to understand serial killings as well as the way humanity and compassion seem to completely disappear in these horrors.  Nature and Extent of Harm Serial killings, a phenomenon of widespread devastation that penetrates the very fabric of society, are an expression of the most fundamental traits that humans possess. The emotional harm inflicted on victims and those close to them cannot be measured (Jenkins, 2017). It continues well beyond the first shock and pierces deeply into their being, creating both visible and invisible wounds (Jenkins, 2017). Unfathomable sadness and misery befall families torn in pieces after a family member dies suddenly. The lives of these individuals have been permanently altered, acting as a grim reminder of the suffering these heinous acts have brought about (Jenkins, 2017). Similarly serious is the psychological damage caused by serial killings. Even those who are not physically harmed carry enduring trauma that seeps into their daily existence, dreams, and thoughts (Jenkins, 2017). The constant fear of encountering the same type of malevolent behavior looms large over every moment (Jenkins, 2017). It is challenging for survivors to resume a sort of normalcy because PTSD, anxiety, as well as hopelessness form uncomfortable companions (Jenkins, 2017). This psychological pain has a long-lasting effect on the mental well-being of everyone, not only individuals who are immediately affected but also the greater community. Understanding this multidimensional suffering; the mental, physical, as well as psychological wounds that persist years after the crimes have been committed, is essential to appreciating the scope of the victim's experiences (Jenkins, 2017). This insight delves deeper than statistics and news releases to examine the lived experiences of individuals affected (Jenkins, 2017). Understanding the enormous effect that serial killings have on society could be the first step toward society's ability to confront the complicated issues of victims and work toward the day when such crimes are merely a horrifying chapter in history rather than an ongoing threat.  Applying Victimological Theory Numerous levels of susceptibility are revealed in the context of serial killings when victimological theories, including routine activity theory and victim precipitation theory are applied. Crimes occur when an enthused perpetrator encounters a suitable victim without the presence of a responsible guardian, according to the theory of routine action (Schreck, 2017, pp. 67–72). While going about their daily lives, victims of serial homicides unintentionally come into contact with these perpetrators. It can be a routine walk home, a trip across town to the local store, or a daily route that places them in the inappropriate location at the wrong time. The previously mentioned theory highlights the unpredictable and irregular aspect of these homicides by emphasizing the way victimization results from the combining of routine behaviors and the intentional acts of serial killers (Schreck, 2017, pp. 67–72). In addition, victim precipitation theory studies the premise that certain people display traits or behaviors that draw illegal activity (Lasky, 2019, pp. 1-2). This theory clarifies the psychological dimensions of victimization, even if it shouldn't be interpreted as placing blame on the victims. Certain victims of serial crimes may unintentionally exhibit characteristics that attract the attention of serial killers, such as reliability, naivete, or a propensity for dangerous activity (Lasky, 2019, pp. 1-2). Despite its shortcomings, this notion highlights how crucial it is to fully understand the interactions between victim acts and unlawful activity. It emphasizes the notion that victimization can result from both random events and people's decisions and behaviors (Daniszewska & Daniszewska, 2017, pp. 35–47).  Impact of Social Inequality The influence that socioeconomic disparity has on victims’ experiences cannot be understated, particularly in the case of serial killings. Marginalized communities become involved in a web of risk variables that renders them attractive targets for serial killers because of their economic misery (Sharma, 2018). Economic inequality impedes access to safe practices and safe locations. Wealthy neighborhoods can afford better street lighting, more police presence, as well as advanced security systems, a contrast to the shortage of these facilities in impoverished regions (Sharma, 2018). These groups feel more fearful and helpless as a result of the inequity, which also makes them more susceptible to victimization. Racial discrimination makes the scars of social inequality worse. People of color are more likely to reside in communities that are marginalized and become the target of serial killers as a result of historical injustices as well as institutional racism (Hodgkinson et al., 2017, pp. 282-289). Race-based prejudices not only affect how law enforcement responds to crimes in these communities, but they also sway public opinion by reinforcing stereotypes and wrongly assigning blame to the victims (Hodgkinson et al., 2017, pp. 282-289). Thus, justice becomes a privilege rather than a right, and victims and family members lose faith that their grievances will be heard (Taylor, 2019).  Critical Analysis of Victimology and Social Inequality When analyzing victimology in the context of serial killings, it is crucial to look at the theories that form the basis for our understanding of these heinous acts. Even though victimological theories are helpful for comprehending the processes of victimization, they have limitations (Doerner, 2017). They might not always be in a position to adequately portray the complexity associated with serial killings, despite the fact that they offer useful knowledge of the behavior of both offenders and victims (Doerner, 2017). Conventional victimological paradigms are put to ...