The Fact and Fiction of Homicide: A Critical Review of a Canadian True Crime Podcast

Reasons for studying homicide

Overview Throughout this course, we discuss several reasons why it is important to study homicide. Among those reasons is the need for an informed public which is argued to be the key to the prevention of violence. However, we also discuss how most of us get our information on crime and violence from media and popular culture which may include television or newspaper coverage of actual events, ‘true crime’ representations of select cases, or fictionalized accounts in television dramas, Hollywood movies, podcasts, or books. We asked ourselves, how reliable is this information in portraying the reality of homicide and, if it is not reliable, how informed or adequate will our policy responses be? Will they be based on fact or fiction? As we proceeded through the course, we also learned where we might get more accurate information on homicide – more reliable and valid data sources – and what were perceived as the strengths and limitations of these data. We examined how these data sources can help us understand homicide more generally as well as contribute to more informed knowledge about various subtypes of homicide by looking at the characteristics of each, including those related to the victims, the perpetrators and the incidents of homicide. Using this new knowledge, the purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned about the ‘fact and fiction’ of homicide by reviewing a Canadian true crime podcast that documents an actual homicide and critiquing how well it aligns with the facts about homicide learned in this course. Alternatively, you may show how it demonstrates the fiction of homicide if it does not align with what you now know. In doing so, you are to draw from, and reference, course materials that help to support your points and/or arguments. Course materials may include readings, lectures, videos, and any other materials incorporated throughout the course. In short, the overall goal of this assignment, then, is to compare and contrast the portrayal of the homicide in the podcast with what you have learned in this course. Must reference this paper to the GIANT MINE Murders https://canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/2019/1/31/39-giant-mine-explosion Your analysis should provide a thoughtful review of the content, not simply a summary of podcast. You are expected to incorporate course materials to support your statements or discussion points. Note: You are not expected to use external resources – those outside course materials – to do this assignment and you will not receive credit for doing so. Proper referencing style is expected when referring to any course materials. What you cover in your analysis will vary, to some degree, on the podcast being reviewed, but some suggestions are provided below. (1) A brief summary or description of the homicide, concluding with a thesis statement about how accurate (factual) it has been portrayed; What type of homicide is featured in this case? (Note: Be as specific as possible); What are the main characteristics of the perpetrator (e.g. age, ethnicity, occupation, previous criminal history, previous victimization, health-related issues, and/or family history); What are the main characteristics of the victim (e.g. age, ethnicity, occupation, previous criminal history, previous victimization, health-related issues, and/or family history)? (2) A detailed critique which will support your thesis statement which captures how well the true crime podcast may have aligned and not aligned with course materials even if overall it was more fact than fiction or vice versa; How well does the type of homicide being portrayed align with what you have learned about these types of homicides in this course? To what extent are these offender characteristics similar to, or different, from general patterns in perpetrators who commit this particular type of homicide? (Please provide references for information provided on trends in the general perpetrator characteristics). To what extent are these victim characteristics similar to, or different from, general patterns in victims of this particular type of homicide? What is missing from the true crime account, in your view? What is being emphasized (or overemphasized) which you feel is not in line with what you have learned in the course? Are there particular explanations being offered for why the homicide occurred or for what motivated the offender? What types of explanations are these? Do they make sense given what you know about this type of homicide or those involved? (3) A concluding paragraph, restating your argument and key pieces of supporting evidence. Note: Proper referencing style is expected when referencing any course materials. When drawing from or referring to the video, merely indicate ‘the podcast’. Please keep in mind that you cannot write a critique on something you have viewed only once or skimmed quickly. It may take several viewings to pinpoint the areas that diverge from what you know or align with the knowledge gained in this course. Skimming a work may give you the wrong impression of the focus. You may miss relevant portions and make incorrect assumptions based on incomplete information. Therefore, give yourself time to engage with the video in a comprehensive manner. The assignment must be typed, 12 pt., double-spaced (and, yes, we can tell the difference ????), using 8 x 11 pages. The podcast analysis must be 4-6 pages in length (not including references) and is due no later than the due date as specified in the Course Outline. Papers longer than specified or those that do not follow guidelines will not be returned to the student to adjust the length and late deductions will apply until the revised assignment is received. Please refer to the Course Outline for Policies on Late Assignments and Resubmission.