Words Matter and Labels Make a Difference

Words matter and labels make a difference!  Members of the media and law enforcement are using the terms “monster” and “evil” when describing  Ariel Castro in the Cleveland case involving the three kidnapped women recently released.

Using the term “monster” throws us back to the 18th century when werewolves and vampires were blamed for violent crimes. We’ve come a long way since then  and we know so much more about criminal behavior.  Similarly, “Evil” has no legal or behavioral meaning. It implies demonic possession. Ariel Castro, whatever your religious  beliefs has serious personality and sexual issues. Understanding what they are will help you to understand his   behavior. Thinking of Castro as an evil monster may make us feel better, but it does nothing to further our understanding of what happened and maybe how to prevent it in the future.

Words matter and labels make a difference.

As a forensic scientist, I strongly feel we should be using the terms psychopath and sexual sadist. I have worked these cases . I know this behavior. These are not supernatural, satanic events. Lets get the terminology correct so we can understand Castro’s behavior… What it is, what caused it, how it evolved,  and what it looks like in a crime scene.

Words matter and labels make a difference.