Criminal Research Assignment Unit-5 - Article Example

Criminal Research There has been a kidnapping of a seven-year-old girl from Dade County. At the beginning of the case, a decision was made to use case study as the preferred mode of investigation. This was advised by the fact that there have been previous reported cases of the same crime in the area. In addition, in order to get access to their histories and other records, we might need to use phone interviews to communicate with various authorities that have this information (Concannon et al, 2008).

The following questions were formulated for the investigative research;1. Has anyone ever attempted to take the child away from its guardian against his or her will?2. Has there ever been an instance where someone attempted to attack, defile, molest, or rough up the missing child.3. Has anyone threatened the child with a weapon, stick, bat, or rock in the past year?4. Has an authority like a babysitter attempted, in the past year, to touch the child inappropriately, or tried to make the child do the same to them when they were unwilling?5. Has anyone the child knows well, or casually tried to coerce the child into sexual activity that was unwanted by the child/6.

Has anybody ever kidnapped or attempted to kidnap this child before?7. Has anyone at home or school made any threat face to face to the child, Have there been any incidences of bullying reported by the child.8. Has the child ever run away from home under any circumstance? How soon were they found?9. Does the child suffer from Emotional and Behavioral disorder, EBD, and are they prone to solitary playing and existence?10. Has the child been insisting on visiting a specific location, say an amusement park?

Have her guardians taken her there yet, or was she still expectant?11. Are both of the girl’s parents still together? If not was there a custodial battle and was it satisfactory for both parents.12. Has any convicted child molester been released from jail in the child’s community? If so, has been into any form of contact with the child? Do they visit the same store? Does his child go to the same school as the subject?13. Is there a family member with mental disability? Where were they on the day of the kidnapping and what were their demeanor?14. Does the child have any mental disorder?15. Do any dangerous areas like ponds, dams, or quarries exist?

Participant research has several pros and cons (Concannon et al, 2008). The researcher gains access knowledge that would otherwise have remained unknown. This helps him get a better grip of the aspects under study. However, the suspects may alter their behavior if they realize they are being investigated, and thus present themselves more desirably. The researcher may also develop sympathies, or develop a bias that is exaggerated towards them. This will alter the dynamics of the case.ReferencesConcannon, D. M et al. (2008).

Kidnapping : an investigators guide to profiling. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press.