Serial Killers

Hickey describes various attempts by scholars to categorize serial killers in Chapter 1 of the text. What typology(ies) does the serial killer Richard Trenton Chase fit? Why?

Serial killers attract a lot of attention because of their motives and brutal methods of committing heinous crimes. At the heart of studies of serial killers is the nature versus nurture argument. This argument can be expanded by asking whether serial killers commit crimes because of genetic dispositions or whether a person can be taught to be a serial killer. A lot can be learned from the in depth study and profiling of serial killers. As a victimologist, it is important that you understand that the serial killers don’t necessarily fit nicely into a little box with a theory label attached. Therefore, you know how and why a particular theory is used in these cases. This will help you predict and possibly prevent future victimization.

Victimology is important in the overall investigative process because it not only provides information about the victims (their health, personal history, social habits, and personalities) but also explains why they became victims.

To understand victimology, it is important to understand the method of approach, the method of attack, and the risk assessment by the offender. If we know the victim’s personality, then we may be able to determine, in conjunction with an analysis of the crime scene, how the offender initially approached the victim. The same will apply to the way the victim was attacked and overpowered.

If this information cannot be obtained by studying the crime scene, then an analysis of the victim’s overall risk, that is, the chances of his or her becoming a victim, may help. If we examine this along with the risks the offender was willing to take to acquire a certain victim, then we will get an overall picture of who the victim was and what drove the offender to choose a particular person as a victim.

Learning about the victims of serial killers is not less important than learning about carjacking, robbery, or theft victims. Learning about serial killers’ victims is as important as studying the victims of carjacking, robberies, or thefts. In the criminal justice system, the community and the government place a higher priority on homicides—including serial killings—than on other crimes. Police officers, detectives, and victim services workers are expected to prioritize cases involving homicides and serial killings even if they happen rarely.

Task:

Select a serial killer you find interesting. Using the Argosy University online library and the textbook readings, write a 2–3-page report that includes the following:

Meadows, Robert J. Understanding Violence and Victimization, 6th Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions, 02/2013. VitalSource Bookshelf Online.

Any relevant information that was used or that you feel could have been used in profiling the serial killer.

Theories of criminology you feel might help explain the serial killer’s criminal behavior.

The theory of victimization you think best explains the selection of the victim.

For each theory selected:

Discuss the key points.

Apply the key points to explain the serial killer’s specific criminal behavior (method of operation).

Identify the characteristics (for example: ethnicity, gender, age, profession, and socioeconomic status) of his or her victims and discuss how the characteristics seem to be associated with the type of serial killer you chose.

Include an APA-formatted reference page that links back to your in-text citations and supports your recommendations. Remember, you cannot have only in-text citations or only references. You must have both because in-text citations and references link to each other. It is important to demonstrate application of your learning by integrating more of the course materials and other resources, as in-text citations, emphasize more explanatory reasoning and analysis in your posts to support your points.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Profiled a serial killer and explained why the killer fit into the selected profile type.
24
Analyzed and explained the theory of criminology that best explains the behavior of the serial killer.
24
Analyzed and described the profile of the victim selected by the serial killer and the theory of victimization that best explains the selection of the victim.
20
Described the characteristics of the victim that gave the killer the motivation to commit the crime.
12
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in the accurate representation and attribution of sources; and used accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
20
Total:
100

Dental Law Assignment
1. Pick a case that violates the Dental Practice Act. Choose a side: Plaintiff or Defendant. You will serve as an expert witness for your client.
• Limit: Two people per case. One person per side.
• There will be a sign-up sheet in class, which will operate on “first-come-first-serve” basis.
• How to find case:
• Log into portal.brightwood.edu ? You can use the virtual library database
• Casebriefs.com
• Findlaw.com
• Our bff – google – but make sure it’s a legit site

2. Assignment: Typed paper response based on the topic selected. You will be allotted two full days of class time. Any additional time that you may need must be outside of class.
• All assignments must be Times New Roman, size 12 font, and single-spaced with 1” margins. The assignment must be at least 1 page but no more than 2 pages.
• All assignments must have a proper heading at the top left of the page.
Lastname, Firstname
DAR170 Chairside Specialties
Ms. Bhikadiya
April 22, 2014
• All assignments must have an appropriate title no more than 1 sentence long.
• All assignments must have five paragraphs: introduction, 3 body, and conclusion.
• In order to avoid plagiarism: you are required to have a Reference section in MLA or APA format. You are not permitted to have more than 25% quoted text.

3. All assignments are due before 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. No late work will be accepted, regardless of reasoning.
• Print out your paper.
• Attach the reverse side of this sheet to the front of your paper.

4. You will give a brief overview of your assignment to the class.
• The verbal presentation must be less than 5 minutes in length.
• You will be graded on quality of information and your presentation itself (i.e. you are not permitted to read your entire presentation).

Research Paper Grading Rubric
Concentration Excellent Good/Acceptable Unacceptable Score
Grammar The paper is free of major grammatical errors and spelling & punctuation. Very few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors interfere with reading the paper. Grammatical errors or spelling & punctuation substantially detract from the paper. –
Support Strong peer reviewed research based support for thesis. Sources well selected to support thesis with some research in support of thesis. Few sources supporting thesis. Sources insignificant or unsubstantiated.
Introduction
(50) Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s), terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement Conveys topic, but may not convey key question(s).
Describes sub topics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate thesis statement.
Focus & Sequencing
(100) All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Strong organization and integration of material within subtopics. Strong transitions linking subtopics, and main topic. Most material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Material may not be organized within subtopics. Attempts to provide variety of transitions Little evidence material is logically organized into topic, subtopics or related to topic. Many transitions are unclear or nonexistent.
Conclusion
(50) Strong review of key conclusions. Strong integration with thesis statement. Insightful discussion of impact of the researched material on topic. Some review of key conclusions. Some integration with thesis statement. Discusses impact of researched material on topic. Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis statement. Does not discuss the impact of researched material on topic.
Citations & References
(50) All works cited. Some works cited. No works cited.
Presentation
Concentration Excellent Good/Acceptable Unacceptable Score
Introduction
(10) Introduces self & topic clearly. Partially introduces either self or topic. Fails to introduce.
Presentation of Research
(15) Presents all material without reading it. Knowledgeable regarding research topic. Good research but reads during presentation. Fails to do adequate research.
Conclusion
(5) Sums up research with insightful discussion. Partially concludes research purpose. Fails to sum up entire research purpose.
Talking Style
(10) Stands in professional manner and conducts presentation professionally Unprofessional during parts of presentation. Unprofessional during majority of presentation.
Professional Attire
(10) Followed Kaplan dress code.
Scrubs, shoes, nails, hair, jewelry, etc. was appropriate. Did not dress in appropriately.
Total score: /300

Serial killers attract a lot of attention because of their motives and brutal methods of committing heinous crimes. At the heart of studies of serial killers is the nature versus nurture argument. This argument can be expanded by asking whether serial killers commit crimes because of genetic dispositions or whether a person can be taught to be a serial killer. A lot can be learned from the in depth study and profiling of serial killers. As a victimologist, it is important that you understand that the serial killers don’t necessarily fit nicely into a little box with a theory label attached. Therefore, you know how and why a particular theory is used in these cases. This will help you predict and possibly prevent future victimization.

Victimology is important in the overall investigative process because it not only provides information about the victims (their health, personal history, social habits, and personalities) but also explains why they became victims.

To understand victimology, it is important to understand the method of approach, the method of attack, and the risk assessment by the offender. If we know the victim’s personality, then we may be able to determine, in conjunction with an analysis of the crime scene, how the offender initially approached the victim. The same will apply to the way the victim was attacked and overpowered.

If this information cannot be obtained by studying the crime scene, then an analysis of the victim’s overall risk, that is, the chances of his or her becoming a victim, may help. If we examine this along with the risks the offender was willing to take to acquire a certain victim, then we will get an overall picture of who the victim was and what drove the offender to choose a particular person as a victim.

Learning about the victims of serial killers is not less important than learning about carjacking, robbery, or theft victims. Learning about serial killers’ victims is as important as studying the victims of carjacking, robberies, or thefts. In the criminal justice system, the community and the government place a higher priority on homicides—including serial killings—than on other crimes. Police officers, detectives, and victim services workers are expected to prioritize cases involving homicides and serial killings even if they happen rarely.

Task:

Select a serial killer you find interesting. Using the Argosy University online library and the textbook readings, write a 2–3-page report that includes the following:

Meadows, Robert J. Understanding Violence and Victimization, 6th Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions, 02/2013. VitalSource Bookshelf Online.

Any relevant information that was used or that you feel could have been used in profiling the serial killer.

Theories of criminology you feel might help explain the serial killer’s criminal behavior.

The theory of victimization you think best explains the selection of the victim.

For each theory selected:

Discuss the key points.

Apply the key points to explain the serial killer’s specific criminal behavior (method of operation).

Identify the characteristics (for example: ethnicity, gender, age, profession, and socioeconomic status) of his or her victims and discuss how the characteristics seem to be associated with the type of serial killer you chose.

Include an APA-formatted reference page that links back to your in-text citations and supports your recommendations. Remember, you cannot have only in-text citations or only references. You must have both because in-text citations and references link to each other. It is important to demonstrate application of your learning by integrating more of the course materials and other resources, as in-text citations, emphasize more explanatory reasoning and analysis in your posts to support your points.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Profiled a serial killer and explained why the killer fit into the selected profile type.
24
Analyzed and explained the theory of criminology that best explains the behavior of the serial killer.
24
Analyzed and described the profile of the victim selected by the serial killer and the theory of victimization that best explains the selection of the victim.
20
Described the characteristics of the victim that gave the killer the motivation to commit the crime.
12
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in the accurate representation and attribution of sources; and used accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
20
Total:
100

Dental Law Assignment
1. Pick a case that violates the Dental Practice Act. Choose a side: Plaintiff or Defendant. You will serve as an expert witness for your client.
• Limit: Two people per case. One person per side.
• There will be a sign-up sheet in class, which will operate on “first-come-first-serve” basis.
• How to find case:
• Log into portal.brightwood.edu ? You can use the virtual library database
• Casebriefs.com
• Findlaw.com
• Our bff – google – but make sure it’s a legit site

2. Assignment: Typed paper response based on the topic selected. You will be allotted two full days of class time. Any additional time that you may need must be outside of class.
• All assignments must be Times New Roman, size 12 font, and single-spaced with 1” margins. The assignment must be at least 1 page but no more than 2 pages.
• All assignments must have a proper heading at the top left of the page.
Lastname, Firstname
DAR170 Chairside Specialties
Ms. Bhikadiya
April 22, 2014
• All assignments must have an appropriate title no more than 1 sentence long.
• All assignments must have five paragraphs: introduction, 3 body, and conclusion.
• In order to avoid plagiarism: you are required to have a Reference section in MLA or APA format. You are not permitted to have more than 25% quoted text.

3. All assignments are due before 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. No late work will be accepted, regardless of reasoning.
• Print out your paper.
• Attach the reverse side of this sheet to the front of your paper.

4. You will give a brief overview of your assignment to the class.
• The verbal presentation must be less than 5 minutes in length.
• You will be graded on quality of information and your presentation itself (i.e. you are not permitted to read your entire presentation).

Research Paper Grading Rubric
Concentration Excellent Good/Acceptable Unacceptable Score
Grammar The paper is free of major grammatical errors and spelling & punctuation. Very few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors interfere with reading the paper. Grammatical errors or spelling & punctuation substantially detract from the paper. –
Support Strong peer reviewed research based support for thesis. Sources well selected to support thesis with some research in support of thesis. Few sources supporting thesis. Sources insignificant or unsubstantiated.
Introduction
(50) Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s), terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement Conveys topic, but may not convey key question(s).
Describes sub topics to be reviewed. General thesis statement. Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate thesis statement.
Focus & Sequencing
(100) All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Strong organization and integration of material within subtopics. Strong transitions linking subtopics, and main topic. Most material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Material may not be organized within subtopics. Attempts to provide variety of transitions Little evidence material is logically organized into topic, subtopics or related to topic. Many transitions are unclear or nonexistent.
Conclusion
(50) Strong review of key conclusions. Strong integration with thesis statement. Insightful discussion of impact of the researched material on topic. Some review of key conclusions. Some integration with thesis statement. Discusses impact of researched material on topic. Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis statement. Does not discuss the impact of researched material on topic.
Citations & References
(50) All works cited. Some works cited. No works cited.
Presentation
Concentration Excellent Good/Acceptable Unacceptable Score
Introduction
(10) Introduces self & topic clearly. Partially introduces either self or topic. Fails to introduce.
Presentation of Research
(15) Presents all material without reading it. Knowledgeable regarding research topic. Good research but reads during presentation. Fails to do adequate research.
Conclusion
(5) Sums up research with insightful discussion. Partially concludes research purpose. Fails to sum up entire research purpose.
Talking Style
(10) Stands in professional manner and conducts presentation professionally Unprofessional during parts of presentation. Unprofessional during majority of presentation.
Professional Attire
(10) Followed Kaplan dress code.
Scrubs, shoes, nails, hair, jewelry, etc. was appropriate. Did not dress in appropriately.
Total score: /300