Title: Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8th edition Chapter 8
1Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8th edition
Chapter 8
2The Violent Crime Apprehension Program (VICAP)
coordinates major violent-crime cases within the
United States such as serial killings and other
cases committed in multiple jurisdictions.
3It must be established whether a death was caused
by criminal action
- Natural
- Accidental
- Suicide
- Homicide (non-criminal or criminal)
4Homicide
- Criminal Homicide
- Murder (first, second, or third degree)
- Manslaughter (voluntary or involuntary)
- Non-criminal Homicide
- Excusable homicide
- Justifiable homicide
5Homicide
6Premeditation is the consideration or planning of
an act, no matter how briefly before committing
it. It is the element of first-degree murder
that sets it apart from all other classifications.
7Terms to know..
- Heat of passion---an act committed when the
suspect suddenly becomes extremely emotional,
thus precluding premeditation - Criminal negligence---a dangerous act committed
by an individual that any prudent person would
see death as a possible result - Equivocal death---facts that may be vague or
purposely misleading as in a staged crime
8The most prominent evidence found at a homicide
scene includes a weapon, a body, blood, hairs,
and fibers.
9Homicide Victim Identification
- Immediate family members
- Relatives
- Acquaintances
- Personal effects
- Fingerprints
- DNA analysis
- Dental/skeletal remains
- Clothing/jewelry
- Missing-persons file
10Rigor Mortis
- A Latin term meaning stiffness of death
- Stiffening of the joints after death due to
skeletal muscle contraction - Depending on conditions, onset may be visible
from 10 minutes to several hours - Usually noticed in the smaller muscle masses
first (hands, face, etc.)
11Postmortem Lividity (Livor mortis)
- Upon death, the blood no longer circulates and
gravity draws blood to the bodys lowest level - Begins within 30 minutes to three hours after
death occurs - Patterns indicate whether or not the body was
moved after death
12Estimating the time of death.
- Body temperature
- Rigor mortis
- Postmortem lividity
- Eye appearance
- Stomach contents
- Stage of decomposition
- Variance in victims normal routine
- Insect growth and development
13The medical examination provides evidence related
to the cause and time of death and if drugs or
alcohol are present
14Gunshot wounds
- Handguns, rifles, shotguns
- Contact wounds may leave a muzzle impression on
the skin and soot or powder fragments in the
entrance area - Close-range wounds will leave tattooing cause
by discharged powder on the victims clothes/body
15Terms to know..
- Defense wounds---cuts on the hands, arms, and
legs as a result of the victim attempting to ward
off an attacker - Hesitation wounds---superficial wounds often
present on a suicide victim resulting from an
attempt to build up the courage to make the fatal
wound - Asphyxiation---body tissues and brain receive
insufficient oxygen to support red blood cells
resulting in death (choking, drowning, hanging,
strangulation)
16Autoerotic asphyxiation
- Accidental death caused by a solitary victim
seeking to intensify sexual gratification by
constricting oxygen and blood flow to the brain
that results in unconsciousness, often by a rope
or other ligature.
17Mass murderers Serial murderers
- Occurs when multiple victims are killed in a
single incident by one or a few suspects. An
example is a sniper who kills several innocent
people from on top of a building.
- The killing of three or more people with a
cooling off period between the killings. An
example would be a killer who murders several
people in a multi-state area in the course of a
year.