Applying Routine Activity Theory: A Case Study of the Sonya Farak Drug Scandal

Abstract

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.