The fourth edition of Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques has been totally revised to address the revolutionary forensic techniques as well as the modern investigative procedures and considerations of the new millennium. Practical Homicide Investigation is the benchmark and "best practice" model and therefore continues to be the "Bible" of homicide investigation and the recognized protocol for professional death investigation. This text provides the most practical and conventional information available to detectives responsible for conducting intelligent investigations of violent and sudden death.

This revision is based on my 40 years of law enforcement experience. Formerly a New York City detective, detective supervisor, and homicide commander, and now a nationwide consultant, I have integrated this considerable knowledge along with my associations with experts in the sphere of forensic science and criminal investigation. I include personal interviews from other homicide authorities and present an extensive search of forensic literature offering as many actual case histories and illustrations as possible. My mission is to provide a comprehensive and practical resource text that will serve as an investigation guide for the homicide professional.

Professional Homicide Investigation: A Personal Perspective

Homicide investigation is a profound duty with awesome responsibilities. It requires the professional homicide detective to develop an understanding of the dynamics of human behavior as well as the essential details of professional investigation.

The world of the homicide detective is permeated with human tragedies comprising a variety of sudden and violent death scenarios. Many of these events, needless to say, are seemingly beyond the comprehension of the average person and reveal motivations and patterns of repetition, which are recognized by the experienced homicide detective. Professional homicide investigators become keenly aware of the reality of death and the impact it has on our society and the surviving family. In fact, we in homicide have a mission. Our mission is to bring justice to the deceased and their surviving families. We do this by conducting a professional and intelligent investigation resulting in the identification and apprehension of the killer and the successful prosecution of the case.

In order to conduct an efficient and effective investigation, the detective first concentrates on the mechanical aspects of the death — i.e., motives and methods; wound structures; crime scene reconstruction; bloodstain pattern analysis; the

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cause, manner, and time of death; and other factors that provide clues to the dynamics of the event. The detective then accesses various sources, which can be applied to his or her investigation.

My rationale in developing the "Practical Aspect of Criminal and Forensic Investigations" series was to provide investigators with specific resources, written by expert practitioners, which would promote and facilitate investigations, with Practical Homicide Investigation as the flagship book in this series of professional texts. I have had the honor and privilege to edit a number of books within my forensic series, which directly relate to the various aspects of practical homicide investigation.

The books are listed on the series page at the front of this text. The subjects are forensic pathology; gunshot wounds; bloodstain pattern analysis; footwear and imprint evidence; crime scene processing; forensic photography; interview and interrogation; rape and sex crimes investigation; officer-involved shootings; arson, narcotics, and drug investigations; Munchausen syndrome by proxy cases; DNA technology as it applies to managing mass disasters; and cold-case homicide investigation. The counterterrorism handbook has been updated to undertake the challenge of terrorism, and I have commissioned a practical bomb scene investigation textbook to address the mounting threats of foreign and domestic bombings. These are just some of the excellent forensic textbooks in this series.

Throughout this textbook, I will reference these texts as they apply to homicide investigation. The reader will be provided with additional resource information as well as case examples of the application of various tactics, procedures, and forensic techniques along with full-color illustrations.

The professional homicide investigator must learn to deal with death in a clinical manner. Detectives should develop an emotional insulation and not project a personality into the body. Personally speaking, if you begin to look upon that body as your wife or husband, daughter, son, mother, or father, you are going to lose that professional objectivity that is so necessary in the murder inquiry. My way of dealing with the reality of sudden and violent death is a strong belief in God and a belief in a higher order of things in our existence. My theology informs me that there is an afterlife and I believe that the soul of the murder victim has left the body. To function effectively, it is imperative that detectives have strong ego defense mechanisms, allowing them to engage in isolation of affect through intellectualization. This is not meant to suggest that homicide practitioners can avoid personal feelings about the tragedy. Rather, it allows a professional investigator to focus and concentrate on the dynamics of the event and not become emotionally involved in the crime.

Teamwork and Communication

Another component in homicide investigations is the human behavior factors, which present themselves during the course of the inquiry. The interpersonal relationships among and between professionals involved in death investigations are varied. The professional homicide detective must be willing to work as a team player and engender cooperation by his or her conduct and behavior. The ability to communicate with different personality types and effectively interview and interrogate murder suspects is paramount to professional homicide investigation.

A professional homicide investigator, in my opinion, is someone who is a "truth seeker," someone who is not opinionated, tainted with prejudice, or prone to prejudgment. There is a need for patience and flexibility in homicide investigation. Part of the inquiry is directed toward the elimination of suspects, as well as the inclusion. In fact, many times an investigation focuses initially on one or more specific suspects. Subsequently, those very same "suspects" are then eliminated though the analysis of evidence and the professional investigative process ultimately revealing the truth. A professional homicide practitioner cannot be an individual with a "lock-and-load" mentality. The true professional must possess a flexible type of personality open to new suggestions, ideas, and concepts that arise in these fluid types of investigations. The detective looks for consistencies as well as inconsistencies and must be prepared to change the focus of the investigation as new information is developed.

The bottom line is that homicide investigators are an information-seeking body. Physical evidence such as hairs, fibers, bloodstains, and other materials that are gathered are useless without having established a base population of suspects with which to compare it.

We have entered the 21st century with advanced forensic and technological improvements. However, as we experience these advances within the law enforcement community, we should be cognizant of an important prerequisite. In my professional opinion, the investigation of homicide and the initial actions taken by the police at the homicide crime scene will or may eventually determine whether or not the crime is ever solved or the guilty person brought to justice.

Computerized law enforcement data-based systems, which include N.C.I.C., VICAP, R.I.S.S., HITS, A.F.I.S., and other intelligence networks, have provided state-of-the-art electronic technology to the criminal investigator.

The scientific community has developed forensic techniques which put criminal investigation on the cutting edge of science. Over the last decade, we have witnessed the potential of DNA technology, which is the future of forensic law enforcement operations. It should be noted, however, that these advanced technologies will never replace the homicide detective.

The basic criminal investigative techniques stressed in the fourth edition of Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques are essential for effective inquiry into sudden and violent death.

In order to be successful, the homicide detective must have an eye for details and the ability to recognize and evaluate evidence. He or she must have an above average intelligence in order to absorb the many details that arise. Most importantly, he or she must be able to effectively interview and interrogate the many different persons with whom he or she will come into contact.

In my opinion, the ingredients of an effective homicide investigation are flexibility and common sense.

The investigation of murder necessitates a certain tenacity and perseverance that transcend the ordinary investigative pursuit. Homicides are usually solved because the detective cares. The homicide detective becomes the advocate for the victim and the surviving family. That explains how a case 3, 5, or 15 years old is eventually solved. All real murder cops are cold case detectives because we never forget our victims and their families.

The investigative techniques required in a cold case homicide investigation are essentially different from those applied to an active inquiry. Therefore, I have commissioned a cold case homicide textbook to be included within my series to address this subject.

Homicides, especially those without witnesses, are extremely difficult to solve because the main witness, the deceased, is dead. One must develop the ability to "absorb" the crime scene and be able to read the uncollectible nuances of the event. This would include the psychodynamics, which are the underlying motivations and human emotions, as well as indications of the deliberate staging of the scene in order to mislead or redirect the investigation.

Homicide investigation is an aggressive business. Not everyone is qualified for the mission-oriented commitment of death investigation. Your homicide case is yours forever. It may stay with you throughout your career and sometimes your life. I know this because I have been there.

You must be prepared to use tactics and strategies for any given situation. Skilled interrogation is paramount to the successful investigation of murder. "Good-guy" and "bad-guy" scenarios never grow old. Any number of tactics might be employed in seeking the truth, and the limit is set only by your imagination, your initiative, and the boundaries of the law.

A homicide investigator is street smart and book wise. The knowledge that he or she develops must then be further enhanced with experience, flexibility, and common sense.

Many factors complicate effective investigation, such as interpersonal conflicts, politics, or the classic scenario of bureaucracy, hypocrisy, arrogance, and incompetence which permeates the public sector. Additionally, it could be the apathy and indifference of society or the ludicrous overconcern regarding the defendant's rights by the courts. In any event, the homicide detective must be able to overcome these obstacles, concentrate on what results he or she can obtain from the scene, and pursue the case with dedication and perseverance.

This text begins with a comprehensive discussion of the homicide crime scene and evolves chronologically from the initial notification to police that a homicide has occurred, to how the police should react to this notification, and to the procedural steps necessary in order to conduct an intelligent homicide investigation.

The early chapters act as an instructional guide to the patrol officer, including a "Patrol Officer's Checklist". The text then proceeds into the details of criminal investigation at the scene. I have added a revised Investigator's Homicide Checklist that helps an officer to review his actions at the scene and refreshes respective memories.

The book then delves into the more technical aspects of homicide investigation, augmented by many additional pictures and full-color illustrations with pertinent case histories, which graphically portray exactly what to look for and what to do at the crime scene. I am proud that many "P.H.I. disciples" in various disciplines were able to assist in this venture through their contributions, which furnished the most up-to-date information available.

I have added two new chapters to this fourth edition. One of the new chapters addresses the current application of DNA technology to the investigative process with contributions from Dr. Robert Shaler and Dr. Pasquale Buffolino. Dr. Buffolino, who worked in the New York City Medical Examiner's Office under the supervision of Dr. Shaler from 1992 to 2001, is the director of the Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office in East Meadow, New York. He updated and prepared this DNA chapter at my request to assure the accuracy of the contents presented there.

Another new chapter addresses the issue of equivocal death investigations, which refers to investigations involving staged crime scenes or cases where there is no clear-cut determination of homicide or suicide. I use a case history format to illustrate these unique cases.

Throughout the textbook, I have made major revisions to each chapter from the third edition and added additional references and new information to address current issues. An example would be the "CSI effect." In my opinion, a number of crime series on television, such as CSI, Law and Order, New Detectives, Forensic Files, A&E, may have created a smarter criminal. The CSI effect basically refers to criminals who have implemented some of the insider tips from the country's most popular crime series. These "CSI criminals" attempt to avoid leaving evidence at crime scenes. Some examples of this are killers who hide or destroy their victims' bodies, rapists who wear condoms so as not leave any sperm or semen, offenders who wear gloves to prevent leaving fingerprints, and other criminals who may even attempt to remove or collect trace evidence from their crime scenes.

I have added additional wound structure and injury photographs to aid the practitioner in properly assessing the mode of death, and there are a number of new photographs and case histories to assist the investigator in understanding the dynamics of homicide investigation.

Dr. Leslie I. Lukash, former chief medical examiner, Nassau County, New York, acted as a mentor to me throughout the years and was instrumental in the formulation of the chapter on the medicolegal autopsy from the first edition of my text through this current book. Dr. Lukash graciously provided me with a number of forensic pathology slides for inclusion in this new edition.

The late Dr. Dominick J. DiMaio, former chief medical examiner, New York City Medical Examiner's Office, was also my mentor while I was in the New York City Police Department. His book is within my series. Dr. DiMaio had contributed some unique forensic photographs, which are also included in this text.

Chicago Homicide Detective Mark Czworniak provided many exquisite crime scene photographs as well as CSI photographs to illustrate documentation and collection procedures. I have strategically placed these illustrations throughout the textbook to show the reader exactly what to look for and how to document these very important observations.

I updated the chapter dealing with death notifications and the surviving families of homicide victims. In fact, it should be noted that the homicide detective, in addition to pursuing the case, becomes the advocate for the deceased as well as the surviving family throughout the entire process.

I have updated and expanded the entire chapter on suicide investigation. This was revised because of the dynamics of suicide and the many additional considerations that these types of cases entail. In addition, I have updated and included revised chapters on narcotics-related homicides and homosexual homicide investigations in this edition.

The sex-related homicide investigation chapter and the chapter on investigative assessment through criminal profiling have been significantly revised and expanded based on my textbook, Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, to enable the investigator to recognize the different classifications of sex-related death and enable the detective to make an early assessment of possible suspects based on the psychodynamics of the event.

These chapters examine murderers who violated their victims sexually, as reported within the journalistic, academic, and law enforcement literature. They are based on my experience and case studies in which I have been involved as well as my clinical study as reported in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. My intention and goal is to suggest that the dual diagnosis of psychopathic sexual sadism best describes offenders who obtain intense sexual arousal while violating their victims and engaging in sexually sadistic activities including torture, mutilation, and/or killing to achieve sexual gratification. In my opinion, psychopathy coupled with sexual sadism and evidence of deviant sexual arousal clearly indicates danger and the potential for recidivism.

A Psychology of Evil

I believe in the concept of a "psychology of evil." In this preface, I would like to reaffirm that there is "good and evil" in the world. There are many manifestations of evil in our world, such as politics, religious extremism, education, and corrupt business practices.

I believe that the homicidal attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, was an evil act of genocide perpetrated by religious fanatics. That evil caused the deaths of 2749 innocent persons and resulted in the largest crime scene in the history of the city of New York. I believe that the terrorist attacks and suicide bombings across the world are heinous attacks on all of humankind and are also examples of evil.

Sexual psychopaths and serial murderers who kill because they like to kill are evil. Murderers who target young children for sexual assault are evil. Family annihilators are evil. Killers who murder their victims to prevent being identified are examples of evil.

These killers have cognizant and detailed plans to murder. They certainly know right from wrong — they just don't give a damn. Their fundamental mechanism of conscience, responsibility, and feeling for fellow human beings is totally lacking. Their will to do evil takes precedence over humanity. Evil people take and destroy lives without the least bit of hesitation or remorse because they are evil. Many of the cases within this text are representative of that evil.

There is a developmental process involved in evil. In my opinion, people are not born evil. We do have free will and can choose to do good or bad. An evil person exercises his free will and chooses to do evil and characteristically is hedonistic and feels superior to other human beings.

Management

The chapter on management has been restructured to provide guidance to police administrators on the make-up and mission of the investigative unit that handles homicide investigation, including a section on formulating an apprehension team to effect the arrest of homicide fugitives. There is a "Supervisor's Homicide Checklist" to help field supervisors to coordinate and direct activities properly at the crime scene.

I also include a complete section on police-related shooting and OIS cases along with a checklist that provides the police manager with recommendations on effective documentation of crucial information that may later be used in departmental review. The procedure defined in this checklist is absolutely essential in the event of any subsequent civil action against the agency.

A new and expanded glossary of terms has been added to aid the reader with the medical, anatomical, scientific, technical, and psychological terminology within the text, along with street terms and subcultural references as they relate to behavior.

This totally revised fourth edition stresses the basics, indicates the practicalities of certain investigative techniques, and provides the reader with patterns upon which to build a solid foundation for a prosecutable case. There is deliberate repetition throughout the text: I have strategically placed these cues throughout because certain investigative principles can never be stressed enough.

In life, you get only one chance at the homicide crime scene and a limited opportunity to question the suspect. Therefore, I recommend that the reader follow the investigative checklists and basic principles in this text. Remember: Things are not always as they appear to be and do it right the first time; you only get one chance.

Death investigation constitutes a heavy responsibility, and no person, system, or circumstance should deter you from the truth and your personal commitment to see that justice is done — not only for the deceased, but for the surviving family as well. That is why my personal philosophy as a murder cop is "Remember, we work for God."

Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S.

Lieutenant Commander (retired) NYPD Homicide and Forensic Consultant