1 The Homicide Crime Scene

The Crime Scene

At the Crime Scene

The Homicide Investigation Starts at the Crime Scene

Determining the Dimensions of the Homicide Crime Scene

Protecting the Crime Scene

2 First Officer's Duties: General

Notification of a Possible Homicide: The Official Notification to the Police

First Notification of Homicide Received in Person by Patrol Officer

First Officer's Duties on Arrival at the Scene

Protection of Life

Safeguarding the Scene and Detaining Witnesses or Suspects

The First Officer Initiates the Homicide Investigation

Dealing with Emergencies at the Scene

Conclusion

3 First Officer's Duties: Specific

The Suspect in Custody

Transporting the Suspect

Examination of the Suspect for Evidence

The Dying Declaration

The Victim Removed to the Hospital

The Victim Pronounced DOA at the Hospital

The Officer's Duties at the Hospital

The Victim Confirmed DOA at the Scene

Handling Witnesses at the Scene

Additional Officers at the Scene

Handling News Media Personnel at the Scene

The Documentation of Events by the First Officer

The Changing Sequence of Command

Patrol Officer's Checklist

4 The Preliminary Investigation at the Scene:The Detectives

Initial Receipt of Information

Arrival at the Scene

Describing the Scene

Implementing Crime Scene Procedures

Direction of Uniformed Personnel at the Scene

The Teamwork Approach

Directing the Investigation at the Scene

Duties of the Detective Supervisor on Arrival at the Scene

Preliminary Interview of the First Officer

Interview of Ambulance Personnel

Handling Curious Onlookers

Handling Witnesses at the Scene

The Canvass

The Preliminary Medical Examination at the Scene

5 Specific Investigative Duties at the Scene

The Suspect in Custody

Interview and Interrogation of the Suspect in Custody

Examination of a Suspect for Evidence

Evaluation of the Suspect's Demeanor and Mental Capacity

Obtaining a Dying Declaration

Questions to be Asked in a Dying Declaration

Documentation of the Dying Declaration

Handling Buried-Body Cases

The Discovery of the Buried Body

The Excavation

The Body

Search for a Buried Body

The Investigative Checklist

Selected Reading

6 The Crime Scene Photographs

The Value of Crime Scene Photographs

Crime Scene Photography and the Investigator

Admissibility of Photographic Evidence

Photographing the Homicide Crime Scene

Outdoor Locations

Indoor Locations

The Body

Suspects

Type of Film

Recommended Crime Scene Photographs

Practical Application of Crime Scene Photography

Videotaping

Advantages of Videotaping

Videotaping Procedure

Conclusion

Selected Reading

7 The Crime Scene Sketch

The Sketch

Preparing the Crime Scene Sketch

Selected Reading

8 The Homicide Crime Scene Search

Methods of Crime Scene Search

Formulating the Search

The Homicide Kit

The Search

Examination of the Body at the Scene

Release of the Body

The Scene

Examining the Outdoor Scene

Examples of Evidence Found Outdoors

Examining an Outdoor Scene at Night

Physical Examination of a Suspect in Custody

Residue Testing

Release of the Scene

Conclusion

Selected Reading

9 Estimating Time of Death

The Process of Dying

Body Changes after Death

External Agents of Change

Insects

Plants

Animals

Bodies in Water

Information Derived from the Scene

Conclusion

Selected Reading

10 The Identity of the Deceased

The Identification

Identification at the Scene

Personal Identification

Clothing and Possessions

Identification by Photographs

Description of the Body

Clothing

Jewelry and Watches

Fingerprints

Obtaining Fingerprints from Dead Bodies

The Teeth

Age

General Facial Characteristics

Race

Socioeconomic Group

Occupation or Habits

Positive Identification

Bite-Mark Identification

Inquiries Relative to Forensic Odontology

The Bones

Age

Sex

Race

Height and Other Individual Characteristics

Determination of Cause of Death

Determination of Whether the Bones Are Humanor Animal

Examination of the Bones

Facial Reconstruction

Forensic Sculpture

Conclusion

Selected Reading

11 Modes of Death

Gunshot Wounds

The Projectile Striking the Body

The Nature and Extent of Gunshot Wounds

Smudging or Smoke

Searing

Tattooing or Stippling

Reentry

Ricocheting

Shotgun Wounds

Contact Wounds

Bullet Track

Cutting Wounds

Stabbing Wounds

Blunt Force Injuries

Lacerations

Chopping Wounds

Poisons

Deaths by Asphyxia

Strangulation

Hanging

Drowning

Inhalation of Poison Gases

Suffocation

Autoerotic Deaths

Typical Cases

Determining the Involvement of Sexual Asphyxia

Summary

Suicides

The Weapon

Wounds

Motives and Intent

Suicide Notes

Background Information

Arson and Deaths by Fire

Sex Homicides

Selected Reading

12 Collection of Evidence

Procedures for Collection of Evidence

Collection of Specific Types of Evidence

Body Materials

Objects

Impressions

Selected Reading

Appendix: Requesting Laboratory Assistance:Shipment of Evidence to FBI Laboratory

13 The News Media in Homicide Investigations

Establishing a News Media Policy

"Fair Trial Free Press Principles"

Building a Relationship with the News Media

Homicide News Release Policy

Handling the News Media at the Scene

Preparing the News Release

Handling Questions during News Conferences

Conclusion

Selected Reading

14 The Autopsy

The Medical Examiner/Coroner

Investigation of Death

Purpose of the Autopsy

Cause, Manner, and Mode of Death

Investigative Information Provided by the Autopsy

The Medicolegal Autopsy

Examination of the Crime Scene

Identification of the Body

External Examination of the Body

Internal Examination of the Body

The Protocol

Summary

Human Anatomy

Directional Terms

Body Cavities

Quadrants

The Skeletal System

The Heart

Selected Reading

15 Identification of Suspects

Bite-Mark Identification

The Bite Mark

Collection of Bite-Mark Evidence at the Scene

Interpretation of the Bite-Mark Evidence

Examination of the Bite Mark

Summary

Hypnosis

What Is Hypnosis?

Value to the Investigator

Shortcomings of Hypnosis

Case History

Summary

Latent Prints on Human Skin

General Considerations

Procedures

Polygraph Examinations

The Examination

Possible Subjects for Polygraph Examinations

Subjects that Cannot Be Tested

Investigator's Duties Prior to the Examination

Polygraph Procedures

Summary

Psychological Profiling

What Is the Psychological Profile?

The Purpose of the Profile

When Profiling Can Be Productive

Case History

Factors which Can Be Determined in a Psychological Profile

The Investigative Approach to Profiling

Offender Profiles

Goals of Offender Profiles

Case History

Summary

Psycholinguistics

What Is Psycholinguistic Analysis?

Methodology

Case History

Psycholinguistics As an Investigative Tool

Utilizing Psycholinguistic Analysis

Summary

Psychics

What Is a Psychic?

How Can the Police and Psychics Work Together?

Charlatans and Frauds

Summary

Selected Reading

16 Managing the Homicide Investigation

Management Policy

Teamwork

Police Department Policy

Interagency Relationships

Documentation

Notekeeping

Official Reports

Indexing the Homicide Investigation

News Clipping File

The Investigative Conference

Conclusion

Glossary

Index