Reflection

To have the scientific attitude is to be skeptical about certain ideas, and then test these ideas in order to remove fiction from fact. Based on our theories about these ideas, we can organize our observations and create a hypothesis that we can test to confirm our theory. This is called the scientific method. In class we discussed how the scientific method could help us understand the roots of certain crimes. The specific example we studied was a murder that occurred over the summer in Cheshire, Connecticut. First we developed the theory that the inspiration for the two men to murder the family spawned from past experience. Then, in order to expand upon this theory, we read a biographical article and developed a series of hypotheses as to what past experiences influenced the murder. The article revealed many clues that we used to form these hypotheses. It explained that the two criminals, Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes, had roomed together at a halfway house. This reveals that they probably had serious issues with drugs and/or alcohol. Experimentation with both of these things can lead to rash, violent behavior. Additionally, the article stated, “Mr. Komisarjevsky’s family had once owned a great deal of property in the vicinity. The land had been sold off for high-end housing developments…” Since the family that was murdered lived a wealthy, comfortable life with a steady income, Komisarjevsky could possibly have seen them as threatening and been envious of their lifestyle. Alcohol and drug use could have led him to take out this anger in an exaggerated way.

An article I found interesting that details criminal psychology is called “Inside a Mass Murderer’s Mind”. Many claims in this article give more clues as to why the murderers in Cheshire committed their crime. Stanton Samenow, a forensic psychologist, stated, “They (mass murderers) seem to have an unfathomable ability to shut off knowledge of the consequences, of the difference between right and wrong. It’s critical for us to try to understand that worldview and mental makeup.” The article also states, “Among the additional risk factors experts look for is a history of other kinds of emotional turmoil, such as depression, substance abuse or some kind of childhood trauma.” This quote backs up our class’ assumption that the Cheshire murder was committed in part because the murderers had been drug abusers. Dr. Anthony Ng, a professor at George Washington University, explained, “We see people with a job or a relationship that defines them. When that is shattered, they decide that they have nothing else.” (Kluger 2007). Since both the murderers were recently released from their halfway house, they did not have a career