The conflict approach to crime suggests that crime is a power struggle between the haves and the have-nots. Generally, conflict theorists argue that the law and the system of enforcing it exist to serve the purpose of the social elite, namely maintaining their position of social, moral, and economic dominance in society. Other approaches to crime extol the importance of the criminal justice system maintaining a consensual normative order. Consensus theorists argue that the law and the system of enforcing it are reflections of moral and ethical values that everyone in society shares. The purpose of criminal justice agencies is to ensure that the consensus is reinforced through the punishment of those who violate the law. Using these theoretical orientations,

New evidence has come to light in the case of Luisa Delgado, the third child found dead in Smithville. The police are now pursuing this case as an infanticide. The primary suspect in this infanticide case is the mother. In this context discuss the questions listed below; justify your ideas and responses by citing appropriate examples from references within the texts, Web sites, and other resources or apply examples from personal experience. Remember to use at least five terms from vocabulary relevant to the current week's topics when responding to the following:

How does the possibility of infanticide fit with the realities of crimes against children, based on the data you have examined?

How do the realities of data on crimes against children compare to the current perceptions of the nation about the chief causes of these crimes and the prevalence of sexual predators in our communities?

Should parents be considered the first suspects in cases of crime against children? Why? How should law enforcement balance the grief of parents against the need to investigate all aspects of a crime against a child?

Which theoretical model is consistent with the new facts of the case? How does this change the way you might approach the problem now?

What percentage of sex crimes against children are committed by sexual predators? What percentage of sexual predators are repeat offenders?

Based on the data you have reviewed, does our cultural emphasis upon "stranger danger" appear to be an effective means to prevent the victimization of children? Are there better methods that we could employ to educate children about crime and the potential to be victimized?

Compare the realities of the data you've just discussed with the prevailing perceptions of sex crimes against children. What drives these perceptions? What can be done to align public perception of potential risk to our children with the realities of likely threats to our kids?

use references cite sources