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Notes from Laura's

BUILD-A-SUSPECT WORKSHOP
 

From GOAL, MOTIVATION and CONFLICT,   characters need a clearly defined:

  • GOAL:  desire, want, need, ambition, purpose

  • MOTIVATION: drive, backstory, impetus, incentive

  • CONFLICT: trouble, tension, friction, roadblock.

 

Any journalist will tell you, the key points to any story are:  WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW and WHY.  So together, they formed:  

  • GOAL (the WHAT)

  • MOTIVATION (the WHY)

  • MEANS (HOW)

  • OPPORTUNITY (WHEN & WHERE)

  • CONFLICT (the WHY NOT?)

 Possible GOALS:

  • POWER/ CONTROL

    • Of People – to force someone to submit to your desires/wishes

    • Of Events/Outcomes – to change an outcome or result to something more favorable to you

    • Grab a position of power.

  • WEALTH or  POSSESSION

    • Money 

    • Valuables

    • Other Tangible items

  • PREVENTION/ PROTECTION/ PRESERVATION

    • Protecting loved ones

    • Protecting tangible items

    • Hiding your own guilt or that of someone else

MOTIVATION:
in this case, isn’t as much
WHY but WHY NOW? 

  • What has happened that causes the criminal to take action NOW?

  • Have they learned something NEW?? 

  • Is this their FIRST OPPORTUNITY to take any action? 

  • Is there a TICKING CLOCK so that they must act before it’s too late?

  • Has SOMEONE NEW been introduced into the situation, requiring NEW ACTION? 

MEANS:
THE HOW
  --How do they do it?

  • Weapons expertise

  • Strength

  • Access to necessary equipment

  • Intellectual ability to plan

  • Specialized knowledge

OPPORTUNITY:
WHEN AND WHERE

  • Physical location

  • Timing

  • Witnesses or have an alibi?
     

CONFLICT:
Looking at the reverse,
what almost stops them from acting?
 

  • Morals

  • Lack of physical skill

  • Bad Timing

  • Fear of consequences

  • Fear of failure

  • Lack of opportunity
     

CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME

  • Crimes of Passion--short term goal with long term motive

  • Crimes of Opportunity--short or long term goal with long term motive

  • Premeditated Crime--long term goal with long term motive

  • Accidental Crime--no goal, no motive, solely  opportunity
     

Intrigued? Invite Laura to present
this interactive workshop at your program.

 These notes are for your personal use only. 
Do not copy or distribute otherwise.

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