In the study of crime, it is tantamount that we understand causes, responses, kind of offender and victims of the crime. Getting to the root of an investigation has never been a cup of tea. Therefore, a profiler needs to consider the theories of criminology which explain the offender's behavior and theories of victimization so as to relate the victims to the act of the offender herein referred to as a serial killer (McDonald, 2018). Most importantly, "criminals are born; not made and crime is a matter of nature not nurture" as contemplated by Cesare Lombroso (White et.al). The theory of victimization used explains the mode of operation.
My focus is on Wayne Bertram William a 23-year-old Atlanta native who was convicted of the murder of two adult men and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1982. Born to a family of Homer and Faye Williams who were both of the African American heritage. Both parents were teachers. He had an interest in radio and journalism. More so he was reported to be a photographer and a music supporter who owned a group Gemini. He was associated with the Atlanta Murders of 1979 but was convicted of only two.
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According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the motive behind the serial killing is annexed to psychological disorders which majorly stems from sexual contact between the offender and the victim (Ardila & Ostrosky, 2017). Reports reveal that Bertram began hanging out at both WIGO and WAOK radio stations where he befriended a number of the announcing crew. He had contact with the supposed victims and planned well.
Bertram was an organized serial killer (Ardila & Ostrosky, 2017). He was knowledgeable, approached the victims, killed them and disposed of their bodies in concealment (Felson, 2017). All the alleged victims were all from the same location and were all African American children aged between 11 and 14. Several theories could be used to explain why such children fell victims of murder.
The routine activity theory envisages the availability of suitable targets (McDonald, 2018). Bertram premeditated a music audition that attracted his victims. The targets were vulnerable to attack. Again, their caretakers were not capable per se and could send children on errands alone. This created a suitable atmosphere to strike.
Victim precipitation theory is instructive in the case of female victim Angel Lenair. The theory explains that at times the victims themselves initiate an attack (McDonald, 2018). She was in a denim outfit; which is considered expensive and suggested that financial gain could be extorted from her parents.
Deviant place theory denotes that dangerous places expose people to crime (McDonald, 2018). At the time Atlanta neighborhood was highly prone to crime (Felson, 2017). Several murders took place and still no affirmative action was taken. Witnesses to the said crimes could not easily identify the said assailants and therefore made it easy for the assailants to continue with the acts.
Finally, lifestyle theory encompasses that exposure to criminal activities increases the chances of one becoming a victim (White et.al. 2017). There was no effort to correct the criminal atmosphere in Atlanta. Some of the children were abducted from their houses meaning there was a lack of security and poor housing that were easily accessible.
Lack of causal connection will not find a serial killer at fault. A specialist in victimology is required to take into account every detail of a crime scene. Both biological and scientific tests should be carried out. And lastly, find a common trait in the victims.
References
Ardila, A., & 0strosky, F. (2017). Serial Killers. In Neuropsychology of Criminal Behavior, (pp. 68-85). Routledge.
Felson, M. (2017). Linking criminal choices, routine activities, informal control, and criminal outcomes. In the Reasoning criminal (pp. 119-128). Routledge
McDonald, W. F. (2018) Theories Criminal Victimization. In The Criminal Victimization of Immigrants (pp. 11-28). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Pratt, T. C., & Turanovic, J. J. (2016). Lifestyle and routine activity theories revisited: The importance of “risk” to the study of victimization. Victims & Offenders , 11 (3), 335-354.
White, R. D., Haines, F., & Asquith, N. L. (2017). Crime and criminology
