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21
usually black, likely because of the “believability” factor of the “white victim” and the “black criminal.”60 Most often in cases where there is a white hoaxer, the crime committed is of a greater magnitude than minority perpetrated hoaxes.61 In addition, while minorities blame many types of victims, whites usually blame persons from a protected class. Wilcox’s work lends continued credence to the significance of the believability aspect in committing a hoax, and he presents compelling evidence that most hoaxes cannot be easily categorized. These factors indicate that hoax crimes are not easily recognized and singled out; therefore the best choice is to enact legislation to prohibit them. This should greatly minimize their occurrence. Then, in the event of fewer hoaxes, law enforcement may be better able to ascertain patterns and characteristics to profile and apprehend these criminals.
Although racial hoaxes are a subset of hate-crime hoaxes, they appear to be the most prevalent type of public entity hoax, and, as such, there is some scholarship on these specific crimes. 62 Katheryn Russell-Brown, the author of The Color of Crime, was interviewed regarding the frequency of racial hoaxes.63 She noted the use of a Hispanic criminal by the “Runaway Bride,” and how this group is relatively rarely blamed as the “accused” by hoaxers.64 However, she further emphasizes that
60 This notion is also discussed in Dr. Russell-Brown’s work below, and “believability” is discussed previously from MacDougall’s book.
61 For example, Charles Stuart (white) murdered his wife and unborn child and blamed a black man, Tawana Brawley (black) claimed to have been kidnapped by white police officers, where no actual kidnapping took place.
62 Racial hoaxes include both offensive and defensive vi-per hoaxes unless specifically state otherwise.
63 Erin Texeira, “Fleeing Bride’s Made-Up Hispanic an Injury,” The Associated Press, May 6, 2005, http://abcnews.go.com/US/pring?id=733125
64 In racial hoaxes, black men are most often falsely accused. Russell, Katheryn K., The Color of Crime, Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment, and other Macroaggressions, New York University Press, Albany, New York, 1998.
Object Description
| Title | An argument for the criminal hoax |
| Author | Pellegrini, Laura A. |
| Author email | user1963@yahoo.com; teachpolsci@yahoo.com |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | Political Science |
| School | College of Letters, Arts and Sciences |
| Date defended/completed | 2008-08-20 |
| Date submitted | 2008 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2008-10-13 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Renteln, Alison Dundes |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Wong, Janelle S. Newland, Chester A. |
| Abstract | Hoaxes are part of the fabric of history. While many provide humor and lighthearted joy, the criminal hoax does not. To date, researchers have included aspects of the criminal hoax in larger academic works. This is an original typology that sets forth the criminal hoax as a distinct part of the larger field of law and public policy. This work provides newly created definitions including four distinct categories of hoaxes: the monetary hoax, the attention getter hoax, the hate crime hoax and the racial hoax. It further illustrates these types with actual detailed accounts of hoaxes and provides insights to each one. It makes policy recommendations concerning the four categories of needs: 1. legislative action, 2. a nationwide statistical database of hoax events, 3. media involvement, and 4. law enforcement training and action to deal with criminal hoaxes. Finally, it recommends further research to identify the causes and motivations of vipers. The ultimate goal of this project is to find ways to eliminate criminal hoaxes. |
| Keyword | criminal hoax; hoax categories |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m1659 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Rights | Pellegrini, Laura A. |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Filename | etd-Pellegrini-2397 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume26/etd-Pellegrini-2397.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 27 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Full text | 21 usually black, likely because of the “believability” factor of the “white victim” and the “black criminal.”60 Most often in cases where there is a white hoaxer, the crime committed is of a greater magnitude than minority perpetrated hoaxes.61 In addition, while minorities blame many types of victims, whites usually blame persons from a protected class. Wilcox’s work lends continued credence to the significance of the believability aspect in committing a hoax, and he presents compelling evidence that most hoaxes cannot be easily categorized. These factors indicate that hoax crimes are not easily recognized and singled out; therefore the best choice is to enact legislation to prohibit them. This should greatly minimize their occurrence. Then, in the event of fewer hoaxes, law enforcement may be better able to ascertain patterns and characteristics to profile and apprehend these criminals. Although racial hoaxes are a subset of hate-crime hoaxes, they appear to be the most prevalent type of public entity hoax, and, as such, there is some scholarship on these specific crimes. 62 Katheryn Russell-Brown, the author of The Color of Crime, was interviewed regarding the frequency of racial hoaxes.63 She noted the use of a Hispanic criminal by the “Runaway Bride,” and how this group is relatively rarely blamed as the “accused” by hoaxers.64 However, she further emphasizes that 60 This notion is also discussed in Dr. Russell-Brown’s work below, and “believability” is discussed previously from MacDougall’s book. 61 For example, Charles Stuart (white) murdered his wife and unborn child and blamed a black man, Tawana Brawley (black) claimed to have been kidnapped by white police officers, where no actual kidnapping took place. 62 Racial hoaxes include both offensive and defensive vi-per hoaxes unless specifically state otherwise. 63 Erin Texeira, “Fleeing Bride’s Made-Up Hispanic an Injury,” The Associated Press, May 6, 2005, http://abcnews.go.com/US/pring?id=733125 64 In racial hoaxes, black men are most often falsely accused. Russell, Katheryn K., The Color of Crime, Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment, and other Macroaggressions, New York University Press, Albany, New York, 1998. |
