Ejercicio Topic 1 · Angles Criminologic UB Mini Essay Test: Forensic Victimology

Topic 1 (max. 4 points). Relevance of victims in criminal investigation: Discuss and provide concrete examples demonstrating why taking victims into account is fundamental to conducting an exhaustive and effective criminal investigation (length: 120–180 words).

Solución: In forensic victimology, conducting an in-depth victimological assessment is essential for an exhaustive investigation. Examining the victim's routine activities, lifestyle, relationships, and physical environment allows investigators to reconstruct the timeline leading up to the incident and assess victim exposure and target attractiveness. This contextual information helps determine why a specific individual was targeted at that precise moment and location, narrowing the suspect pool and shedding light on offender modus operandi and motivation. For instance, in homicide investigations, identifying sudden departures from the victim's standard schedule or undisclosed digital interactions often exposes concealed relationships or immediate threats, providing critical leads. Furthermore, physical evidence gathered directly from the victim—such as defensive wounds, biological transfer, or toxicological analyses—can corroborate or refute suspect statements. Disregarding the victim produces blind spots, potentially resulting in premature conclusions and compromised investigative leads.