Theories on crimes - Case Study Example

Harvey Robinson was a teenager serial killer who killed and raped Charlotte Schmoyer - another fellow teenager- in 1993, he also assaulted numerous women. According to Ramsland (2012), there was evidence of blood and abandoned shoes where it was later discovered that the girl had also been stabbed in the woods. In committing the crime of rape and murder, Harvey had gone back to the scene of a previous crime scene when he chanced upon Charlotte who was the ‘perfect’ victim in an isolated place.

Serial killers who rape and kill are a rare kind as evidenced by the involvement of the FBI in most of the cases. This theory explains the prevalence of criminal behavior in that the criminal makes rational choices when committing crimes. The reasons behind committing crimes could be due to personal needs like anger, lust or greed. This theory basis its ideas on the classical school of thought in criminology, which posits that individuals have a free will to choose their actions both good and bad while threats of punishment and sanctions deter criminal acts (Siegel, 2009).

Furthermore, the choice theory points out that there are three actors of criminal behavior; rational actor, predestined actor, and the victimized actor. For rational actors, there is a choice on whether to commit a criminal act which is manageable with an imposition of penalties. The predestined actor commits crime without any control over their desire and surroundings. These actors are stimulated before they commit crimes. In order to enhance deterrence, there is a need to change the psychological, social, and biological environment.

The victimized actor appears since there are disparities in the society; this ought to be addressed through enacting laws. The choice theory is useful in explaining the crimes given that Robinson stalked other victims then he made rational