Sonja
Farak was a chemist for a state crime lab in Massachusetts. She was arrested
for tampering with evidence while abusing narcotics at work. Her arrest led to
the dismissal of thousands of drug cases in Massachusetts. Given the account
that Farak was a law-abiding citizen, it is questioned as to how an educated
person with a stable job would commit a crime of this magnitude. Though Farak provided
testimony of her behavior, no research has been conducted on the explanation
for her crime. To examine her behavior, data from Farak’s Grand Jury testimony
are analyzed using a qualitative content document analysis. Examination of the
data allows for
the application of Cohen and Felson’s Routine Activity Theory, which provides a
theoretical understanding of Farak’s evidence tampering and drug use. All three components (motivated
offender, suitable target, and absence of a capable guardian) are presented. By
doing so we get a better understanding as to how a law-abiding citizen, while
participating in everyday routine life, can commit crime but remain undetected.
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