3-2 Final Project Milestone One
Question
For this assignment, you will complete a draft of your summary and the crime assessment portion of the final project assignment.
To complete this assignment, review the following documents:
Answer
Summary of the case
Aileen Wuornos is the subject of the case; she is a prominent serial killer who rose to popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was born on February 29, 1956, in Rochester, Michigan, and died from execution in 2002. One of the critical facts and demographic information about this serial murder case is that between 1989 and 1990 in Florida, along the Interstate 75 corridor, she was accountable for the deaths of seven men (Wuornos, 2017). Also, during that period, Wuornos was a prostitute, and the men she allegedly had contact with were middle-aged and looking for sex. Additionally, using a. 22-caliber pistol, she also shot the victims at close range. Finally, when attempted sexual assaults occurred, Wuornos claimed the homicides were committed in self-defense.
Initial hypothesis
According to the available information, the initial hypothesis on her possible motive shows that Aileen Wuornos was motivated to commit the crime by self-defense. As a sex worker, Wuornos probably dealt with customers in unsafe and possibly violent settings. It is conceivable that she used lethal force to defend herself from imagined threats (Wuornos, 2017). She may have taken drastic measures to ensure her survival since she thought her life was in immediate danger, as evidenced by her claims of self-defense made during the investigation. Wuornos’s first justification for the killings, self-defense, is insufficient to explain why he committed them (Pearson, 2007). She may have been more violent as a result of underlying psychological concerns. It is crucial to consider the probability that Wuornos endured severe trauma and abuse throughout her life, resulting in a warped awareness of risk and a distorted perception of self-preservation. These psychological variables might have increased her hostility and motivated her to go after people she deemed dangerous to her safety.
It is important to note that the subsequent homicides deviated from immediate self-defense, even though the reason for the crimes may initially appear to be founded in self-defense (Wuornos, 2017). This viewpoint shows that additional factors, such as psychological trauma and warped views, may have influenced Wuornos’s prolonged involvement in the killings. These factors most likely fueled a spiraling cycle of violence that went beyond acts of self-defense and into a pattern of serial killing. Moreover, Aileen Wuornos committed crimes categorized as serial killings because they characterize an extended time to occur and frequent cooling-off periods between each murder (Pearson, 2007). This term applies to Wuornos because she quickly targeted and killed seven men. The systematic structure of the killings and the predictable selection of victims point to a planned and intentional pattern of violence.
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Crime assessment
Comparison of data and evidence of similar crimes
Aileen Wuornos and Robert William Fisher have infamous criminal histories, particularly in serial murder cases. While the nature of their crimes differs, examining their cases can reveal trends and motives frequently present in similar crimes. Between 1989 and 1990, Aileen Wuornos murdered several people in Florida and was found guilty of killing seven men who, according to her, had either assaulted or attempted to assault her (Wuornos, 2017). While working as a prostitute, Wuornos sought out her victims and enticed them to isolated areas where she shot them. Her case demonstrates a pattern of specifically chosen victims and a methodical style of crime commitment. As a result, a pattern of premeditation and a desire to assert control over her surroundings are suggested by the similarities between her method of operation and the intended demographics of her victims.
In contrast, a crime involving Robert William Fisher portrays some similarities and differences with Wuornos, even though they are serial murder cases. After his wife and two children were killed in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2001 the fugitive Fisher rose to prominence (FBI, 2010). Fisher does not seem to have murdered his family repeatedly; instead, he seems to have targeted them with a single, profoundly personal act of violence. The incident reveals a history of domestic abuse and unresolved conflict in the home. It is worth noting that the initial hypothesis suggests that Fisher’s crime was motivated by marital and financial issues, a desire to avoid taking care of personal duties, or perhaps even a mental illness.
Patterns
It is clear from comparing these cases that Wuornos and Fisher demonstrated control- and situation-related tendencies. Wuornos’ selection of victims and her justification of each act as self-defense point to her wish to take charge of her own life by eliminating ostensible threats. Conversely, Fisher’s conduct can be seen as a desperate attempt to regain control of his life and escape his parental obligations (FBI, 2010). Both cases show the harmful results of people trying to exert power violently, despite the differences in their acts’ goals and effects.
Motivations
Inferences can be reached about these individuals’ motivations based on the evidence and comparisons to these similar crimes. Both cases display psychological distress related to past trauma or present challenges. Fisher’s involvement in domestic violence events and Wuornos’ history of murder point to underlying problems that may have influenced their behavior. The motivation behind their acts, whether a need for control or an attempt to calm their internal turmoil, can be considered maladaptive coping mechanisms.
References
FBI. (2010). Robert William Fisher. FBI. https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/murders/robert-william-fisher
Pearson, K. (2007). The trouble with Aileen Wuornos, feminism’s “first serial killer.” Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, 4(3): 256–275. doi:10.1080/14791420701472791.
Wuornos, A. (2017). Biography. https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/aileen-wuornos
