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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 1 Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8 th edition Chapter 8 Death Investigations
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 2 The 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.
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 3 It must be established whether a death was caused by criminal action Natural Accidental Suicide Homicide (non-criminal or criminal)
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 4 Homicide Criminal Homicide Murder (first, second, or third degree) Manslaughter (voluntary or involuntary) Non-criminal Homicide Excusable homicide Justifiable homicide
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 5 Premeditation 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.
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 6 Terms 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
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 7 The most prominent evidence found at a homicide scene includes a weapon, a body, blood, hairs, and fibers.
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 8 Homicide Victim Identification Immediate family members Relatives Acquaintances Personal effects Fingerprints DNA analysis Dental/skeletal remains Clothing/jewelry Missing-persons file
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 9 Rigor 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.)
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 10 Postmortem Lividity (Livor mortis) Upon death, the blood no longer circulates and gravity draws blood to the body ’ s lowest level Begins within 30 minutes to three hours after death occurs Patterns indicate whether or not the body was moved after death
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 11 Estimating the time of death…. Body temperature Rigor mortis Postmortem lividity Eye appearance Stomach contents Stage of decomposition Variance in victim ’ s normal routine Insect growth and development
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 12 The medical examination provides evidence related to the cause and time of death and if drugs or alcohol are present
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 13 Gunshot 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 victim ’ s clothes/body
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 14 Terms 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)
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 15 Autoerotic 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.
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Bennett/Hess, Criminal Investigation, 8e 16 Mass 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.
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