• Review the article titled “The witness prep survival guide for CFEs” by Annette Simmons-Brown at: The witness prep survival guide for CFEs (fraud-magazine.com) (You may need your ACFE log in to view the entire article).
• Discuss if you agree or disagree that witnesses should be prepped before a fraud trial, why or why not? Additionally, do you think AI could assist with witness prep?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Should Witnesses Be Prepped Before a Fraud Trial?

In the article “The witness prep survival guide for CFEs” by Annette Simmons-Brown, the importance of witness preparation before a fraud trial is emphasized. Witness preparation is a crucial aspect of ensuring that witnesses are ready to effectively testify and present their accounts in court. But the question arises: should witnesses be prepped before a fraud trial, and can AI assist in this process?

Thesis Statement

Witnesses should be prepped before a fraud trial to enhance their confidence, credibility, and clarity in delivering testimony. Additionally, AI can play a significant role in assisting with witness preparation by providing valuable insights, simulations, and feedback.

Importance of Witness Preparation

Preparation is key to ensuring that witnesses are fully equipped to handle the high-pressure environment of a fraud trial. Witness prep can help individuals organize their thoughts, understand the legal process, and become familiar with potential questions they may face. This preparation not only benefits the witness but also enhances the overall efficiency of the trial by reducing the chances of confusion or miscommunication.

Benefits of Witness Preparation

1. Confidence: Witness preparation can boost the witness’s confidence, helping them stay composed and articulate during questioning.
2. Credibility: A well-prepared witness is more likely to come across as credible and trustworthy to the judge and jury.
3. Clarity: Preparation allows witnesses to clarify their statements, ensuring that their testimony is accurate and consistent.

Role of AI in Witness Preparation

AI technology has the potential to revolutionize the process of witness preparation. By leveraging AI tools, witnesses can benefit from:

1. Data Analysis: AI can analyze vast amounts of case-related data to provide witnesses with a comprehensive understanding of the case.
2. Simulation: AI can simulate trial scenarios, allowing witnesses to practice their testimony in a realistic setting.
3. Feedback: AI systems can provide real-time feedback on witness responses, helping them refine their answers and communication skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, witness preparation is essential for ensuring that individuals are adequately prepared to testify in a fraud trial. By empowering witnesses with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can enhance the integrity and effectiveness of the legal process. Moreover, AI technology can serve as a valuable tool in streamlining and enhancing the witness preparation process, ultimately leading to more informed and confident witnesses.

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