• Because of the nature of the offense, a homicide investigation can be considered the most important assignment an investigator will respond to. Describe the elements of a homicide and discuss signs investigators should be looking for during their investigation to determine if a homicide occurred if it is not plainly evident.
• Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates’ posts.
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 Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Significance of Homicide Investigations
A homicide investigation is undeniably one of the most crucial assignments for law enforcement investigators. Unlike other offenses, homicide investigations carry a unique weight due to the severity of the crime and the impact it has on the community. Understanding the elements of a homicide and recognizing signs that might indicate foul play are essential for investigators to effectively determine if a homicide has occurred.
Elements of a Homicide
A homicide, simply put, is the intentional killing of another person. However, to classify an incident as a homicide, investigators must establish three key elements:
Actus Reus: This refers to the physical act of killing someone. It could involve actions such as shooting, stabbing, strangling, or poisoning. Establishing that a death occurred due to intentional human action is the first step in identifying a potential homicide.
Mens Rea: The second element focuses on the mental state of the perpetrator. Investigators need to establish that the act was committed with malice aforethought – the intent to cause harm or take someone’s life. Intent can be proven through evidence like premeditation, motive, or previous threats.
Causation: Finally, investigators must link the actus reus and mens rea together to show that the actions of the suspect directly caused the victim’s death. This involves establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between the actions of the perpetrator and the fatal outcome.
Signs of a Potential Homicide
In some cases, determining if a death is a homicide may not be immediately evident. Investigators should be vigilant in looking for signs that might indicate foul play during their investigation. Here are some key indicators:
Suspicious circumstances: Unexplained injuries, inconsistent statements from witnesses, or signs of forced entry can raise red flags. Investigators should carefully analyze the crime scene for any signs of disturbance or signs that suggest the incident was not accidental.
Pattern of injuries: Examining the nature and location of injuries sustained by the victim can provide important clues. If the injuries are inconsistent with a self-inflicted or accidental cause, it may suggest foul play. Multiple injuries in different stages of healing may also suggest a history of abuse or ongoing violence.
Lack of apparent motive: A motive may not always be immediately apparent, but investigators should consider if there could be hidden motives such as financial gain, personal vendettas, or disputes that are not readily apparent.
Altered crime scene: If the scene has been tampered with or cleaned up before investigators arrive, it may indicate an attempt to conceal evidence or mislead authorities. Such actions often suggest a deliberate act to cover up a crime.
Inconsistencies in witness statements: Inconsistent statements from witnesses can raise suspicions. Investigators should carefully scrutinize these discrepancies and conduct thorough interviews to identify any contradictions or attempts at deception.
Forensic evidence: Physical evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, or weapon analysis can provide critical information about the circumstances surrounding a death. Investigators should ensure a comprehensive collection and analysis of forensic evidence.
By recognizing these signs and thoroughly investigating each case, law enforcement officers can effectively determine if a homicide has occurred even when it is not plainly evident.
In conclusion, homicide investigations are of utmost importance due to their severe nature and impact on society. Understanding the elements of a homicide and being vigilant for signs that indicate foul play are essential for investigators. By carefully examining suspicious circumstances, patterns of injuries, motives, crime scenes, witness statements, and forensic evidence, investigators can successfully determine if a homicide has taken place even when it is not immediately apparent.
Response to Classmate’s Post
I agree with my classmate’s post on the significance of homicide investigations. The points mentioned about the elements of a homicide and signs investigators should look for are comprehensive and well-explained. I believe that recognizing these elements and signs is crucial for investigators to conduct thorough investigations and ensure justice is served in such serious cases. Additionally, it would be beneficial for investigators to collaborate with forensic experts and utilize advanced technologies to enhance their ability to determine if a homicide occurred when it is not plainly evident. Overall, my classmate has provided valuable insights into this topic.
