Victimology is the deliberate study of crime victims to better understand the crime. Studying victims can help define a suspect pool by linking victims to possible suspects and developing timelines of victims' activities. Understanding a victim's past and present lifestyle and environment can help predict what types of victims may be targeted in the future. Key factors that affect a victim's risk include their state of mind, the time and location of the crime, whether they were alone or with others, and any drug or alcohol use. The level of skill and planning by the offender also influences the risk, with more disorganized offenders posing a higher risk. Details about the victim, crime scene, and timeline are essential to solving the case.