Define the concept of "victim precipitation." Is this a worthwhile area of study, or is there too much risk that such study will result in placing blame on the victim? Support your answer.

What will be an ideal response?


Victim precipitation is quite common in many violent crimes and the various typologies postulated help explain this phenomenon. In examining violent crime, Lombroso (1911) was one of the first to note that passionate criminals often acted under the provocation of victims. In many violent crimes such as assault and voluntary manslaughter, a flip of the coin separates the victim from the offender, with both parties being active participants. In many violent crimes, victims contribute to their own harm (Von Hentig, 1948). Benjamin Mendelson (1963), one of the pioneers of victimology, developed a typology of victims in terms of their degree of guilt in the perpetration of crime.

Criminal Justice

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a. True b. False

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In criminal homicide cases, certain elements of the offense can be proven only by circumstantial evidence

To rebut an accused's claim that his killing of the victim was accidental, the prosecution might show that the accused had a ________ to desire the victim dead. Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

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The impact of budget cuts on federal public defenders has had only negligible effects.

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

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The _______ oversees criminal justice practices and has the power to determine whether existing operations fall within the bounds of the U.S. Constitution

A) ?president B) ?legislature C) judiciary D) ?correctional agencies E) ?bureaucracy

Criminal Justice