Homicide Analysis and Victim Typologies

Wolfgang’s Analysis on Homicide

• Menachem Amir, a student of Wolfgang, applied criminological frameworks to rape cases but faced criticism.
• Wolfgang's 1958 study revealed that 26% of Philadelphia homicides from 1948-1952 were victim-precipitated, where victims initiated violence.
• Victim-precipitated homicides occur when the victim uses physical force first, often involving prior relationships with offenders (spouses, friends, family).
• Such homicide acts frequently arise from minor disagreements escalating into violence, which may involve alcohol consumption by victims.

Schafer’s Victim Precipitation Typology

• Schafer's classification details different types of victims based on responsibility for their victimization:
  • Unrelated Victims: No victim responsibility; simply unfortunate targets.
  • Provocative Victims: Share responsibility; offender reacts to victim's actions.
  • Preciptitative Victims: Victims place themselves in dangerous situations.
  • Biologically Weak Victims: Age or condition makes them vulnerable without victim responsibility.
  • Socially Weak Victims: Marginalized groups are often targeted without responsibility.
  • Self-Victimizing: Individuals engage in risky behaviors resulting in total responsibility.
  • Political Victims: Victimized due to their opposition to power dynamics.

Early Efforts in Victimology

• Scholars like von Hentig, Mendelsohn, and Schafer led analyses emphasizing victim-offender relationships, marking a shift toward victim-centered studies.
• Early victimologists often overlooked the negative impact of offenses on victims and focused on victim contributions to their victimization.
• The concept of victim precipitation emerged, shifting the blame onto the victim and sparking significant debates in victimology.

Empirical Studies and Methodologies

• Victim precipitation considers both passive and active victim involvement in their victimization.
• Wolfgang’s analysis of police records provided a systematic examination of the victim's role in homicide cases.
• Victim typologies categorize victims to better understand social dynamics surrounding crime.

Von Hentig’s Contributions

• Hans von Hentig posited that victims could contribute to their own victimization and explored the criminal-victim relationship.
• He highlighted the importance of recognizing the victim's role in provoking violence and potential contributions to their downfall.
• Victimization surveys were advocated for as a more accurate measure of crime than relying solely on police reports.

Development of Victimization Surveys

• First-Generation Surveys initiated in the mid-1960s revealed higher victimization rates than indicated by police data.
• Second and Third-Generation Surveys refined methodologies to address challenges from earlier studies, with the National Crime Survey introduced in 1972.
• Fourth-Generation Surveys have expanded to include the National Crime Victimization Survey, renaming it in 1992 for accuracy and modern relevance.

Initial Victim Surveys

• Early victim surveys aimed to gather sensitive public information and assess the utility of victim-based data for the criminal justice system.
• The NORC Survey was among the first national victim surveys conducted, targeting a sample of 10,000 households across the U.S.

Explore Wolfgang's insights on homicide patterns, particularly focusing on victim-precipitated cases. Additionally, delve into Schafer's typology that categorizes victims based on their responsibility in the crime. Discover how minor conflicts can escalate into tragic outcomes.