Practical Homicide Investigation Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques, Fifth Edition

Renowned for being THE definitive resource for homicide investigators, Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques details the recognized protocols used by investigative divisions of major police departments throughout the world. The text is used in most police academies, including the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.Now in its fifth edition, the book begins with a comprehensive discussion of homicide crime scenes and moves chronologically from initial police notification, the correct police response that follows, and the subsequent steps necessary to conduct an intelligent investigation. It then delves into the more technical aspects of homicide investigation, augmented with numerous pictures and full-color illustrations that involve pertinent case histories.This latest edition includes three new chapters along with fully revised chapters with new case histories and techniques that reflect the latest forensic methods and modern investigative procedures.Highlights of the Fifth Edition Include: Newly revised "Homicide Investigator’s Checklist" A new chapter on the latest DNA technology A rewritten chapter on equivocal death investigations that includes staged crime scenes Additional information on modes of death Fully updated chapters on death notifications, sex-related homicide, management for police administrators, suicide investigation, and narcotics-related and homosexually based homicides Over 920 photos and illustrations, 250 new photographs, and several new case histories Eminent author, lecturer, consultant, and expert witness Vernon J. Geberth incorporates his more than four and a half decades of real-world law enforcement experience in this quintessential reference. This classic and must-have resource provides the most vital information needed by detectives and police investigators responsible for cases in violent and sudden death. Remember: do it right the first time. You only get one chance.—Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S., Homicide and Forensic Consultant, Author of Practical Homicide Investigation, and Series Editor of The Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations

The Homicide Crime SceneThe Five Components of Practical Homicide InvestigationThe Crime SceneThe Preliminary Investigation at the Primary Crime SceneVictimologyEquivocal Death InvestigationsMost Common Errors or Missteps in Death InvestigationsConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingFirst Officer's Duties: GeneralNotification of a Possible Homicide: The Official Notification to the PoliceFirst Notification of Homicide Received in Person by Patrol OfficerFirst Officer's Duties on Arrival at the SceneThe First Officer Initiates the Homicide InvestigationDealing with Emergencies at the SceneConclusionReferenceSelected ReadingFirst Officer's Duties: SpecificThe Suspect in CustodyTransporting the SuspectExamination of the Suspect for EvidenceThe Dying DeclarationThe Victim Removed to the HospitalThe Victim Pronounced DOA at the HospitalThe Officer's Duties at the HospitalThe Victim Confirmed DOA at the SceneHandling Witnesses at the SceneAdditional Officers at the SceneHandling News Media Personnel at the SceneThe Documentation of Events by the First OfficerThe Changing Sequence of CommandPatrol Officer's ChecklistThe Preliminary Investigation at the Scene: The DetectivesInitial Receipt of InformationArrival at the ScenePreliminary Steps to Be Taken by Detectives upon Arrival—ChecklistDescribing the SceneImplementing Crime Scene ProceduresDirection of Uniformed Personnel at the SceneThe Teamwork ApproachDirecting the Investigation at the SceneDuties of the Detective Supervisor on Arrival at the ScenePreliminary Interview of the First OfficerInterview of Ambulance PersonnelHandling Curious OnlookersHandling Witnesses at the SceneThe CanvassThe Preliminary Medical Examination at the SceneSpecial Procedure to Follow in Specific CasesConclusionSelected ReadingSpecific Investigative Duties at the SceneThe Suspect in CustodyInterview and Interrogation of the Suspect in CustodyExamination of a Suspect for EvidenceEvaluation of the Suspect’s Demeanor and Mental CapacityHomicide Calls and Statement AnalysisObtaining a Dying DeclarationHandling Buried-Body CasesThe Investigative ChecklistReferencesSelected ReadingsThe Crime Scene PhotographsThe Value of Crime Scene PhotographsCrime Scene Photography and the InvestigatorAdmissibility of Photographic EvidencePhotographing the Homicide Crime SceneType of FilmRecommended Crime Scene PhotographsPractical Application of Crime Scene PhotographyDigital Video RecordingConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingThe Crime Scene SketchThe SketchPreparing the Crime Scene SketchUtilizing Aerial Photographs for Mapping Outdoor Crime ScenesThe Total Station Crime Scene Reconstruction ProgramThe Homicide Crime Scene SearchLegal ConsiderationsPhysical EvidenceThe Concept of LinkageMethods of Crime Scene SearchFormulating the SearchThe Homicide KitThe SearchExamination of the Body at the SceneBloodstain Pattern AnalysisDocumenting Bloodstain PatternsRelease of the BodyThe ScenePhysical Examination of a Suspect in CustodyRelease of the SceneCrime Scene Process Protective Equipment and ClothingCrime Scene Protocol for Protection from Airborne Pathogens and Other BiohazardsExposure of First RespondersExposure to Blood-Borne DiseasesInfection Control TechniquesConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingsEstimating Time of DeathThe Process of DyingBody Changes after DeathExternal Agents of ChangeInformation Derived from the SceneConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingThe Identity of the Deceased; Resources for Missing and Unidentified Persons CasesThe IdentificationMass Fatality EventsThe Iceman CaseThe TeethThe BonesForensic ArtResources for Missing and Unidentified Persons CasesConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingsDeath Notifications: The Surviving Family as Secondary VictimsPsychological Reactions to DeathThe Normal Grieving ProcessThe Stages of GriefPsychological Reactions to MurderPsychological Reactions to Murdered ChildrenPsychological Reactions to the Murder of Police OfficersNotifications of Death by the Homicide DetectiveRecommendations and Guidelines for Proper Death Notifications to Surviving Family MembersProviding Information to the Surviving FamilyGuiding the Surviving Family through the Criminal Justice SystemConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingModes of DeathGunshot WoundsCutting WoundsStabbing WoundsBlunt Force InjuriesDeaths by AsphyxiaDeaths by FireArsonPoisonsDeaths Caused by InjectionSexual Asphyxia: The Phenomenon of Autoerotic FatalitiesReferencesSelected ReadingSuicide InvestigationSuicide Risk FactorsDepression: A Clinical PerspectiveOther Motives for SuicideThe InvestigationStaging a SceneInvestigative ConsiderationsChemical Suicides in AutomobilesBizarre SuicidesEquivocal Death InvestigationsMotives and IntentSuicide NotesBackground InformationPsychological AutopsyFinal Exit Suicide InvestigationsSuicide-by-CopSeven Major Mistakes in the Investigation of SuicideSuicide Investigation Checklist ProtocolReferencesSelected ReadingThe Investigation of Sex-Related HomicidesIntroductionThe Crime Scene InvestigationHuman Sexuality and Sexual DevianceParaphilic DisordersDetermining MotivationSignificance of Fantasy in Sex-Related IncidentsTechnology and the Sex OffenderThe Identification of the VictimModus Operandi and SignatureOrganized and Disorganized OffendersFour Classifications of Sex-Related HomicidesInterpersonal Violence-Oriented Disputes and AssaultsRape- and/or Sodomy-Oriented AssaultDeviant-Oriented Assault—”The Lust MurderThe Serial MurderConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingsHomosexual HomicidesIntroductionHomosexual RelationshipsHomosexual Lifestyles: Investigative ConsiderationsInterpersonal Violence-Oriented Disputes and AssaultsMurders Involving Forced Anal Rape and/or SodomyLust Murders and Other Acts of Sexual PerversionHomosexual Serial MurdersInvestigative Assessment and Analysis of Case HistoryInvestigative SignificancePsychological ConsiderationsRobbery-Homicide of HomosexualsHomophobic Assault and "Gay-Bashing" IncidentsConclusionReferencesSelected ReadingsForensic Application of DNA Analysis: IntroductionAn Introduction to Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)Cells: Structure and Molecular BiologyStructure and Function of DNATechniques and Procedures in Forensic DNA AnalysisTechniques and Procedures in Forensic DNA AnalysisAdmissibility of DNA EvidenceLaboratory AccreditationRelatedness TestingFamilial DNA AnalysisTouch DNAAncestry DeterminationForensic DNA Case StudiesConclusionReferencesCollection of EvidenceProcedures for Collection of EvidenceGeneral Types of EvidenceClassifications of Physical EvidenceCollection of Specific Types of EvidenceReferencesSelected ReadingsThe AutopsyThe Medical Examiner/CoronerInvestigation of DeathPurpose of the AutopsyThe Medicolegal AutopsyHuman AnatomyReferencesSelected ReadingThe News Media in Homicide InvestigationsThe Changing Media Dynamic in the New MillenniumEstablishing a News Media PolicyHomicide News Release PolicyOffering RewardsHandling the News Media at the ScenePreparing the News ReleaseConclusionSelected ReadingIdentification of SuspectsBite-Mark IdentificationHypnosisLatent Prints on Human SkinPolygraph ExaminationsPsycholinguisticsPsychicsMunchausen Syndrome by ProxyHomicides Involving Theft of a FetusStalkersViCAP, and Statewide and Regional Information SystemsAcknowledgmentsReferencesSelected ReadingInvestigative Assessment: Criminal Personality ProfilingIntroductionEarly History of ProfilingViolent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP)The Application of Abnormal PsychologyCriminal Personality ProfileThe Investigative Approach to ProfilingInvestigative Assessment: The Profiling ProcessClinical Considerations and Descriptions of BehaviorCrime Scene and Profile: Characteristics of Organized and Disorganized MurderersThe Organized OffenderThe Disorganized OffenderCriminal Personality Profiling: The Signature Aspect in Criminal InvestigationGeographic ProfilingA Psychology of EvilInterview Strategies and Techniques for Dealing with a Serial KillerConclusionReferencesSele

Vernon J. Geberth