Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide SECOND EDITION

This book provides protocols for suicide and equivocal death investigation, police action shooting investigations and a homicide supervisor's checklist. It contains state-of-the-art anatomical graphics in full color to assist the investigator in describing any injuries or wounds to the body.

The Checklist Approach to Homicide InvestigationThe Homicide Crime SceneIntroductionThe Patrol Officer’s DutiesFirst Officer’s Duties upon ArrivalPatrol Officer Establishing the Crime SceneThe First Officer Initiates the Homicide Investigation The Patrol Officer’s Checklist The Preliminary Investigation at the SceneThe Detectives Prior to Leaving for the Crime Scene, Instruct Patrol to Arrival at the Scene The Investigative ChecklistDocumentation of the Initial ReportDuties of the Detective Supervisor upon Arrival at the SceneSpecific Investigative Duties at the SceneThe Suspect in CustodyEvaluation of the Suspect’s Demeanor and Mental CapacityObtaining a Dying DeclarationSuicide Investigation Three Investigative Considerations in Determining theManner of Death (Homicide or Suicide)Suicide NotesSuicide ChecklistPsychological AspectsFinal Exit SuicidesInvestigative Checklist for Final Exit Cases The Plastic Bag Suicide-By-Cop ScenariosSome Suicide IndicatorsAutoerotic FatalitiesInvestigative ConsiderationsAutoerotic Checklist: Determining the Involvement ofSexual AsphyxiaInvestigative Fatal Fires ChecklistInvestigative ConsiderationsThe Fire IncidentSuspicious Designation: General Determination FactorsMaintenance of the Fire Crime SceneInvestigation at the SceneDetermination of ArsonSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS )Investigative ChecklistMunchausen Syndrome by ProxyWarning SignsCrime Scene DocumentationDocumentation of Crimes Scene PhotographsRecommended Crime Scene PhotographsPhotographs of Deceased SubjectsVideotape ProtocolTaping Protocol ChecklistDocumentation of the Crime Scene SketchThe Title BlockFormulating the SearchExamination of the Outdoor Crime SceneInvestigative Questions Examination of the Body at the SceneThe Wound ChartGunshot WoundsCutting WoundsBlunt Force InjuriesAsphyxial DeathsRecommendations and Guidelines for ProperDeath Notifications to Surviving FamilyMembersSex-Related Homicide InvestigationInvestigative ConsiderationsThe Crime Scene InvestigationSex-Related Crime Scene ChecklistMedicolegal Considerations Examination of the Crime SceneDescriptive Information Anatomical Figures Supervisor’s Homicide Checklist Supervising the Preliminary Investigation at the Scene:The ChecklistDirecting Specific Investigative Duties Supervising a Homicide Crime Scene SearchCrime Scene ConsiderationsRelease of the Body Release of the Crime Scene Investigation of Police-Related ShootingsOfficer-Involved Shootings (OIS s) and Use of Deadly ForceIncidents The Protocol Investigation of OISs and Use of Deadly ForceIncidentsSupervisory Responsibilities—Checklist Incident Scene Investigator(s)—Checklist Interview of Employee(s) Involved Follow-Up InvestigationBackground InvestigationPreparation of Investigative ReportAppendix: Procedures for the Collection of Evidence Collection of Specific Types of Evidence Body MaterialsBlood Stains (Dry)SemenUrineSpittle or SalivaFecesVomitTissueHairObjectsFirearmsFibersFabricClothingCigarette or Cigar ButtsDisplaced FurnitureInsectsSoilToolsVehiclesDocuments (Letters, Notes, and Papers)GlassImpressionsTool MarksNewly Damaged AreasCollection of Bite-M ark Evidence at the SceneBlood Stain Pattern Analysis (Examination of Blood Spatter) Crime Scene Collection of Electronic andDigital Evidence Investigative ConsiderationsAdditional Investigative Considerations Computers Cellular PhonesNotes

Commander Vernon Geberth is a retired lieutenant commander of the New York City Police Department with over 40 years of law enforcement experience. He is a nationally renowned lecturer, author, educator, consultant, and expert witness on the subject of death investigation. He has appeared on numerous local, national, and international television programs to answer questions on the subject of murder and provide insight, analysis, and commentary with respect to all aspects of homicide and death investigations. Geberth has been referenced as a media consultant on myriad national major cases across the United States and Canada. Over 69,500 members from over 8,000 law enforcement agencies have attended Geberth’s Practical Homicide Investigation seminars. In his seminars, Geberth focuses on his textbooks stressing advanced tactics, procedures, and forensic techniques and presents equivocal death, suicide, and missed investigations as well as serial murder investigation and the application of abnormal psychology to the investigative process.