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.

Copyright  ©  2013