FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Murder of Andrew Harper



Murder of Andrew Harper

Question 1

Sequence of Events

Before the investigators determine the sequence of events, it is essential to determine the actual crime scene. As the name suggests, the crime scene is a place where the murderer chooses to kill his victim. There can be a number of scenes if the murderer has used different places from which, he trapped the victim. The offender can capture the victim on a site, torture him in the second place, commit murder in the third, and move to another location to leave the victim there. In any case, the main scene is where the death or assault takes place. This place is of utmost significance, and the rest are secondary (Allhoff 2010, pp. 223-248). It is usually in the primary place where there are more interactions between the murderer and his victim, which is usually where there is more psychological and physical evidence. As a result, it is essential to protect the crime scene or scenes because each track can be the key. It is also essential to assess whether there has been a manipulation of the scene, what is called conscious acts of precaution or coroner (if physical evidence eliminates).

The sequence of events may be difficult to assess without the identification of the prime suspect. However, the state of Andrew's body suggests that he was tied, so that he could not resist, beaten and scratched, which is evident by the appearance of his body, and sexually assaulted before or after getting killed. In addition, there is also an element of small quantity of alcohol, which was present in his system. The investigation needs to determine if Andrew was intoxicated during the torture, before the torture, or he drank willingly.

Victimology

The victim is crucial, since he is the protagonist of the criminal act. The person or an offender who commits a crime falls under a criminal act and represents the modus operandi and the signature of the murderer. In case, the victim survives, he may provide a lot of first hand information about his offender, and circumstances. On the other hand, if the victim dies, then it is essential to conduct a psychological autopsy. The purpose of this autopsy is to try and collect a number of personal and social aspects of the victim. Furthermore, during interrogation, it is essential to satisfy the investigators about the information about home, education, marital status, hobbies, economic status, fears, habits, illnesses, friends, or work (Simon 2009, pp. 553-656).

With respect to the current case, the investigating team needs to interrogate Lance Smith, who travelled to Portsmouth along with Andrew. He was also the last person, who was seen with Andrew when he was alive. Therefore, he may be the prime suspect in the case. The investigating team needs to retrieve information and seek significant clues. In addition, the team also needs to determine the relationship between Andrew and Smith and the duration of their acquaintance.

Offender Motivation

There are two patterns of a crime or ...