Serial Criminals Find Easy Victims: Brianna Dennison and Meredith Emerson

In Reno, Nevada Brianna Dennison was found strangled, her body dumped in a field. In North Georgia, Meredith Emerson was found decapitated, her body dumped in isolated woods. Both were victims of serial criminals. Meredith Emerson, a student of karate, was abducted off a popular mountain trail while hiking with her beloved canine companion. Her killer was arrested, thanks to an aware and vigilant public. He has been linked to multiple abductions and homicides in three states, thus qualifying him as a serial killer.

Brianna Dennison's killer is still at large after abducting her while she slept peacefully on a friend's couch. According to authorities, DNA analysis links her abduction and murder with a string of rapes near a college campus. We do not know if her killer had killed previously or if he underwent a transformation process, graduating to a more sinister and sadistic modus operandi, or mode of operation. Law enforcement circles view the modus operandi as the signature of the criminal; the defining set of circumstances encompassing the methods used to accomplish the criminal act. All too often in today's society, criminals, especially violent rapists and killers, prey upon unsuspecting, previously unknown victims. This means we are all at risk of becoming the next table fare for one of the tens of thousands of predators which roam the streets of the world.

Our risks to such a fate can be minimized through proper awareness, preventative action, and training in response to acts of crime. Situational awareness is paramount, as is the ability to defend oneself with or without the use of a weapon. We all know criminals use weapons to gain control of and to strike fear in the hearts of victims. How many people think of consistently carrying a neutralizing instrument such as pepper spray, a knife, a bright flashlight, or even a firearm when they go out in public? How many people become "willing" victims by being "willing" to allow a criminal unfettered access to their property or their person? Proper training of parents, children, teachers, business leaders, and employees is one of the main ways to fight crime. This training should always begin with "situational awareness," the ability to sense and to quickly assess the danger within one's immediate vicinity.

The police are never there at the time we need them. All too often they are responders who respond only "after" crimes have been committed. It is the individual's job to ensure his or her own personal safety, as well as the safety of family members. Where were the police when Meredith Emerson ascended a mountain slope in her search for fresh air, exercise, and companionship with her dog? Were the police patrolling the neighborhood when Brianna Dennison's killer peeped in windows in search of an easy target of his sadistic, sexual and violent impulses?

Could either Meredith, who was schooled in the martial arts, or Brianna have prevented their suffering demises with proper education and training? Could a simple curtain, covering a window, have prevented Brianna's abduction? News sources reported that Meredith fought her attacker ferociously. Could a blast of pepper spray to her assailant's eyes have allowed her a few precious seconds in which to affect an escape? Proper situational awareness could have enabled both of these precious young lives to live another day.

Copyright 2008 KNM Security and Risk Consultants

If you would like to receive personalized training or to schedule a seminar or group training, please contact Ken at 256.679.7405 or email him at knmconsultinggrp@aol.com