Criminal Homicide

(Definition and categories)

(intentional) Causing the death of another person without legal justification or excuse

Two categories: Murder and Non-negligent manslaughter

the willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another 

Premeditation- forethought and planning to cause death

intentional killing of another person, premeditation may be absent 

Killing another as a result of recklessness or culpable negligence 

No intent to kill, but offender should have known death would occur

The intentional inflicting of serious bodily injury (/harm) on another person, or the attempt to inflict such injury

Often use of a deadly or dangerous weapon

The unlawful, intentional inflicting of less than serious bodily injury without a deadly or dangerous weapon, or the attempt to inflict such bodily injury

Without a deadly or dangerous weapon 

Understanding commonalities between different types of crimes that aren't covered by legal (Likely similarities between different classification, may miss similarities if only looking at one type of legal classification**).

Looking at different factors, doesn't help with finding information. Offenders don't necessarily commit one kind of crime. Important to understand why they do what they do.

Homicide is an outcome of a series of interactions. There may be a number of similarities between outcomes, but legal classification may miss those.

Satten, Menninger, Roseman and Mayman Classification 1960

(Categories and basic descriptions of each, distinction)

Distinction between sane and insane offenders is clear

Much more difficult when offender appear rational/coherent/controlled but their crimes have a “bizarre, apparently senseless fashion”.

Classification:

-Sane offenders- acted in a rational manner and in accordance with rational motives

-Insane offenders were driven by irrational motives (some sort of psychosis, hallucinations, delusions)

-“Murder without apparent motive” : committed extreme acts of violence (impulsive and senseless) 

Offenders reported persistent feelings of inferiority and inadequacy throughout their lives,

Sudden loss of control leads to explosion of violence

Described dissociative states of consciousness during the violence (memory deficits or spotty memory, some details remembered, some parts blank)

Murder Without Apparent Motive

(Definition, offender info, subset of which theory)

Committed extreme acts of violence (impulsive and senseless), but not insane.

Offenders reported persistent feelings of inferiority and inadequacy throughout their lives,

Sudden loss of control leads to explosion of violence

Described dissociative states of consciousness during the violence (memory deficits or spotty memory, some details remembered, some parts blank)

Tanay 1969 Classification

(3 classification names)

Ego dystonic

(5 aspects/traits, model and similarity to other model classification)

-No psychopathology, no obvious signs - depression in some instances, fully functioning individuals, no break from reality

-Related to severe superegos - extreme honest and rigid lifestyles, an "absence of aggressive fantasies" saw themselves as cooperative/kind and others do too

-Aggression/violence would contradict their personality

-Expressions of anger/violence - sudden and explosive - represent a failure or collapse of superego Very violent

-Dissociative state (amnesia, spotty memory) - defense mechanism against the discharge or awareness of unacceptable behaviors (violence they just perpetrated)

Ego Syntotic

(definition, model, and similarity to other model classification)

- homicide was consciously accepted by offender

Part of Tanay Model

Similar to Sane Offenders in Satten et al Model

Psychotic

(Definition, model, similarity to other model classification)

offenders demonstrate clear signs of psychosis (that was responsible for the homicide, similar to insane classification)

Part of Tanay model

Similar to Insane offenders Satten et al model

Motivational Spectrum of Homicide **

(Who, what, 5 categories)

Classified homicide along a continuum from those stimulated by external factors at one end to those motivated by internal factors at the opposite end.

Five categories:

Environmental (externally motivated)

Situational

Impulsive 

Catathymic 

Compulsive- serial  (internally motivated, applies to all serial homicide according to S)

Homicides resulting from organic, toxic, or paranoid states were separate from this model

*Revitch and Schlesigner, and later on Schlesigner

Environmental Classification

(Definition, model, spectrum level)

motivated by social factors

Crime of obedience; organized crime; media influence

Motivational Spectrum of Homicide

1 of 5 (primarily external)

Situational Classification

(definition, model, spectrum level)

Situational- motivated by powerful feelings of stress and occur under certain circumstances

Domestic homicide- lovers triangle

Impulsive Classification

(definition, model, spectrum level)

motivated by conscious or unconscious feelings that can’t be controlled- spur of the moment; chronic poor impulse control- often chronic offenders (long history of criminal behavior, KEY is chronic offender, impulse control issue)

Motivational Spectrum of Homicide

3 of 5. Between external and internal

Catathymic Classification

(Definition, types, model, spectrum level, difference from impulsive, characteristics common to both)

Motivated by internal conflicts: feelings of sexual inadequacy/inferiority and/or building feelings of tension

-Internally motivated homicide and offenders act violently when victims trigger emotional conflicts (which cause on explosion of violence which may end in homicide)

Emotional conflicts can be manifested in two ways: 

Acute Process: sudden, violent, unplanned

Chronic: Planned, obsessive rumination, violent (not sudden)

(DIFFERENT types of emotional conflicts)

(Impulsive is different because committed by chronic offender and acute catathymic isn't necessarily a chronic offender)

Both: Offender = male, victim = female. Attempt to contact mental health profession before, no attempt to elude authorities after

Trigger: deep seated sexual inadequacy, victim insults/taunts.

Victim: stranger.

Unplanned.

Method of attack: Sudden, violent, overkill.

Sexual activity prior: before homicide, possibly impotence.

Postmortem Behavior: necrophilia, dismemberment

Trigger: Tension, frustration, helplessmess inadequacy

Relationship: close relationship, intimate/former intimate

Planning: Planned / stalking / obsessive rumination

Method of Attack: violent but not sudden

Postmortem Behavior: Rarely postmortem assault, relief, possibly suicide

Develops feeling they must kill person and experience release of tension afterwards. May commit suicide afterwards 

That homicide is a result of motivation and behavior. Clinical experience working with offenders in treatment setting** Psych classifications reflect mental state and motivations of offenders.

Usefulness: Some disagreement on it, some say yes because gives insight into emotions and stuff they don't now about. other people say no because focusing on stuff that can't limit suspect pool like insecurity

Criticisms: little empirical evidence, low reliability, no test of validity, homicide is heavily based on situation whic this doesn't account for, a lot are based on org/disorg model which wasn't empirically supported. Based on small number of offenders and very detailed case studies

Probably useful for clinicians. Quenstionable use for understanding behaviors.

Law Enforcement Classifications

(Purpose, focus, basis)

Designed to assist investigations

Offender Profiling (crime scene analysis)

Focus on behaviors, victimology, crime scene evidence (ballistics, ME report, trace evidence, etc.) and link these  with motivations and personality characteristics- useful in identification of perpetrators

Based on interviews with offenders and professional experience investigating crimes. (or case studies)

Often no empirical analyses

Staging 

(Definition)

The purposeful alteration of a crime scene prior to the arrival of the police. 

Staging

(Purpose, reasons)

Purpose: Re-direct investigation away from offender

Reasons:

-Take things from crime scene to make crime of passion seem like burglary gone wrong

-Protect victim or victims family

-Victim dies in unflattering manner- change it

Essentially self-protection or protecting the victim or family

-Identify staging through inconsistencies in crime scene.

Did offender take unnecessary items?

Hazelwood and Napier ('04) Homicide and Staging

(Original motives for homicide 3, Reasons for staging)

Need to identify original motive for homicide and motive for staging

Original motives (for homicide first) 

Greed: desire money/property, stage homicide as sex related or theft related

Anger-revenge - strong feelings of hostility desire for revenge

Attention - desire for attention as a result of complaint - often false allegation of sexual assault

Reasons for staging essentially: self-protection, protect victim or victim's family

Personation

(Definition, reason, repetition)

Def: Unusual behavior beyond what is necessary to commit crime.

Reason: Violence may begin as fantasy- when these are translated into action then emotional needs may be displayed at crime scene

Intimate meaning in crime scene behavior (positioning body; mutilation)

Includes Undoing

Repetition: When repetitive (across series of crimes)- signature (or ritualistic behavior)

Undoing

(Definition, type of _____)

occurs when there is close relationship btw vic & offender (covering vic) remorse (on part of offender)

Specific type of personation

Modus Operandi

Actions taken by an offender during the perpetration of a crime. Carry out crime and evade detection

Learned set of behaviors that offender develops over time and remains somewhat consistent. 

M.O. will evolve as offender learns what works

Sexual Homicide

(Other names, Difference from other homicides, definitions, disagreements)

Other names: lust murder, sadistic murder, sadistic lust murder

Difference from other homicides:

Overt sexual behavior (ie rape, maybe gentile mutilation, any sexual activity, removal of clothes); sexual arousal; sexual fantasy; power and brutality

Not clearly defined like some other sexual crimes (rape-legal) or sexual disorders (pedophilia)

Disagreement: For IP has to be overt sexual behavior that can be identified from crime scene, any penetration. Other people say if fantasy, arousal, etc. is sexual homicide

FBI Crime Classification Manual

(What, Types of Murder)

Most widely used/known classification system.

Identifies four types of murder based on offender’s motivations

Criminal enterprise murder 

Personal cause murder

Sexual homicide 

Group cause homicide 

Criminal Enterprise Murder

(Basic definition, list subcategories, model)

Murder committed for material gain

Eight subcategories

Contract murder, Gang motivated murder, Criminal Competition, Kidnap Murder, Product tampering, Drug murder, Insurance motivated murder, Felony murder 

Part of FBI Crime Classification

Contract Murder

(Definition, subset of ____, model)

Kills by secret assault or surprise for profit. Usually an absence of a prior relationship btw victim and offender

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Gang Motivated Murder

(Definition, subset of ____, model)

Gang motivated murder: fatalities associated with gang activity- territory/drugs 

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder under FBI Crime Classification

Criminal Competition

(Definition, subset of ____, model)

Homicide as a result of organized crime conflict over control of territory

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Kidnap Murder 

(Definition, subset of _____, model)

Person abducted for ransom and killed whether ransom is obtained or not.  

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Personal Cause Murder

(Definition, subsets, model)

Committed under emotional conflict/passion and precipitated by altercation/argument

Contains 11 subcategories including

Eroto-mania-motivated, Domestic Homicide, Argument/Conflict Murder, Authority Murder, Revenge Murder, Extremist Murder, Mercy Homicide, Hostage Murder

Eroto-mania Motivated Murder

(Definition, victim profile, planning style/development, similarity to other classification, subset of ____, model

Murder is motivated by offenders fantasy and preoccupation with victim.

Victim maybe high profile; superior at work; higher status

Victim becomes imagined lover- fantasy is built

Greater distance btw offender and vic- more planning/stalking; little forensic evidence

Develop fantasy, rumination, obsessed with victim

Occurs when family or household member kills another member of the household (often after dispute, crime of passion)

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Argument/Conflict Murder

(Definition, subtype of ____, model)

Murder that results from a dispute or personal conflict between persons- excluding family/household members

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Authority Murder

(Definition, subset of, model)

Offender kills person who has an authority relationship or symbolic authority relationship over victim. Offender perceives that they have been wronged by victim

Subset of Personal Cause, under FBI Crime Classification

Revenge Murder

(Definition, subset of, model)

Killing in retaliation for a perceived wrong, real or imaginary, committed against the offender or a significant other

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Sexual Murder

(Definition, subsets, model)

Involves a sexual element (activity) as the basis for the sequence of acts leading to death

Murder that has a sexual component in the situation/dynamic that leads to murder

Subtypes

Organized/Disorganized/Mixed (both) 

Sadistic

Elder Sexual

Organized/Disorganized/Mixed** Sexual Murder

(Mixed definition, Model, basic org/disorg definition)

Mixed category: pertains to crimes that don't fall under either type but contain features of both. Proposed they occur because of situational factors (victim resists), or juvenile (experimenting, etc) or substance use 

Org: Planned, exercised control

Disorg: Impuslive, haphazard, depersonalizing and mutliation

FBI Crime Classification Manual

Sadistic Murder

(Definition; Victim type; behaviors: prior, during, after; Subset of; model)

Established pattern of sexual arousal to sadistic imagery. 

Sexual gratification from torture (physical and mental) and victim’s response to torture

Victims- white female adults who are strangers, may be symbolic 

Behaviors: Stalking; multiple crime scenes; torture- need isolated location and may have custom made torture

Preparation- gloves worn; bondage & binding (may take steps to conceal identity)

Serial killers

Subset of Sexual Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Group Cause Murder

(Definition, subsets, model)

Committed by two+ people who share ideologies or beliefs (including just planning, not necessarily the act)

Three subcategories

Cult murder 

Extremist murder 

Group excitement

Part of FBI Crime Classification

Keppel and Walter Model

(Basis, type of homicide, subsets)

Based sexual homicide classification on different offender motivations and behavioral patterns (designed for profiling purposes)

Proposed the rapist classifications developed by Hazelwood and Burgess (1987) could be expanded and applied to rape-murder offenders. 

Four subcategories:

Power-Assertive 

Power-Reassurance

Anger- Retaliatory

Anger-Excitation 

Power Assertive

(Motivation, Crime Scene Characteristics, victim, type of crime scene, model)

Motivation: power

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape; unplanned murder

Increasing aggression leads to death

Clothing torn

Weapon is knife/rope- something easily concealed

Severe violence but no mutilation

Victim of opportunity, often stranger

Organized crime scene- attempt to cover up crime

Keppel and Walter Model

Power Assertive Offender

(age, attitude, history, problems with this, classification)

Early 20s

Preoccupied with macho image (body builder/tattoos)

Arrogant/condescending towards others

Unsuccessful interpersonal relationships; limited education experiences, military, criminal history

(A lot of these are general statements that could be applied to people in their early 20s)

Keppel and Walter Classification

Power Reassurance

(Motivation, crime scene characteristics, victim, crime scene type, classification)

Motivation: power; Assault is fantasy driven (seduction/conquest fantasy); throughout rape, seeking reassurance for sexual adequacy--engage in polite dialogue throughout rape

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape; unplanned murder

Victim doesn't yield - offender is enraged/sense of failure/panic

Victim may be acquaintance or stranger

Threats and intimidates to gain control

May engage in postmortem activities with victims body (cut or mutilate, necrophilia)

Souvenirs may be taken, disorganized crime scene

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Power Reassurance Offender

(Age, issues, history, classification)

 mid 20s

Issues: with inadequacy - lives in fantasy life for fear of rejection

Sexually inadequate - develops fantasy through pornography - window peeping, fondling of clothing

History: Loner socially isolated, lacks intimate relationship

Little/limited education (could finish high school, unlikely they went to college), menial jobs, low income

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Anger Retaliatory

(Motivation, crime scene characteristics, victim, crime scene type, classification)

Motivation: anger- revenge on symbolic person; precipitated by criticism by a female

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape and murder Also crime of opportunity

Violent sexual assault and overkill 

May walk to crime scene- use a ruse 

Weapon of opportunity

Victim: May victimize a female substitute for mother, wife, female supervisor (ex. offender could have been criticized by female boss, then perpetrate against woman who reminds him of his boss (Private Practice Rape))

Disorganized crime- unplanned spontaneous 

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Anger Retaliatory Offender

(Age, characteristics, history)

Mid to late 20s; younger than victim

Superficial relationships, conflicted relationships with women; unsuccessful interpersonal relationships - divorce/spousal abuse

 Sexually frustrated; impotent; links sex with aggression

History: Impulsive/unpredictable, possible criminal history; if military - dishonorably discharged

Anger Retaliatory

(Motivation, crime scene characteristics, victim, classification)

Motivation: anger; gratification from inflicting pain; sadistc--pleasure is from the process not the death

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape and murder

Prolonged bizarre and ritualistic attack on victim

Acts out fantasies which fuels violence 

Incorporates bondage/domination roles into killing

Multiple methods of wounding; postmortem sexual assault and experimentation

Conceals body

Victim: Chooses a victim with specific characteristics

Uses a con or ruse to contact and isolate victim

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Anger Excitation Offender

(Age, personal characteristics, history)

Age varies

Personal: Organized offender - intelligent, sociable, appears to be law abiding citizen

Compulsive/obsessive in daily habits (cleanliness, dress, etc), some college education

Sections off sadistic fantasies into a private world separate from public eye (away from public persona) 

History: Married, financially secure

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Based on rape classifications, no empirical evidence, very specific criteria, heavily based on and links personal characteristics, motivations and behaviors.

Lots of overlap. Based on untested classification and uses untested classification.

Assumes personality from behaviors, very specific offender characteristics but lots of ambiguity and questionable.

No talk about situation. Don't talk much about the victims

Types of Child Victim Homicides

(List - 4 basic)

Maltreatment Homicide,

Multiple victim family homicide,

Child abduction homicide

Maternal Filicide

Maltreatment Homicide

(Definition, victim profile, typical perpetrators)

Committed by individual who is in charge of caring for child - caretaker (parents, family members, babysitters etc.)

Victims are usually children <5 years: dependent, physically vulnerable- major cause of death cerebral trauma

Roughly equal male/female victim ratio 

Perpetrators often male caretakers 

Multiple Victim Family Homicide

(Definition, victim, typical perpetrators)

Occur when a family member kills multiple members/entire family

Juvenile victims: <12 years old , Males and females equally

Perpetrators: Males- fathers/step-fathers, White 

Homicide-Suicide

Child Abduction Homicide

(Definition, victims, perpetrators, motivation)

Non-family abduction where child is detained, transported, killed **

Victims: children 5 – 12 and female teenagers

Perpetrators : Strangers or acquaintances, Males (more often)

Motivation: Sexual (child victim abduction sexual homicides)

Maternal Filicide 

(Definition, crime characteristics)

Killing of children by mother

Crime Characteristics: Often occur in family home

Well-planned out- thought of as an extension of role as mother; think they are caring for their children by killing them and the homicide reflects this

Maternal Filicide Precipitating Factors

(3 causes)

Loss of womens’ role: mother/spouse/partner

Lost autonomy: child interferes with life; future mate prospects

Psychiatric problems- 

Most common major depression with psychotic features - may involve protecting children from harm

Combined with personality and/or substance use disorders

Bourget and Gagne Classification

(Topic, list types - 5)

Child-victim homicide (Mostly family)

Mental Illness

Fatal Abuse

Retaliation

Mercy

Unspecified

Mental Illness (Bourget and Gagne)

(Definition, victim target)

Major mental illness is active at time of filicide. Psychosis- homicides a result of delusions/delusional altruistic notions/hallucinations/thought disturbances

Child Homicide

Fatal Abuse (Bourget and Gagne)

(Definition, victim type examples)

No intent- a result of recurrent abuse or isolated incident. Battered children & shaken baby syndrome (intent not to kill the child, but should have known behavior would end in death)

Child-victim Homicide

Retaliating (Bourget and Gagne)

(Definition, precipitating factors, victim type)

Specific intent to kill often for revenge.

Precipitating Factors: Personality disorders & chaotic relationships (against the partner, child) (fighting, marital discord)

Child-victim Homicide

Mercy (Bourget and Gagne)

(Definition, victim type)

Specific intent to harm, child has debilitating illness. No mental disturbance (perpetrator is connected to reality)

Child-victim homicide

Boudreaux et al (2002)

(Main idea and 2 forms of lethal aggression)

ecological approach to the study of offender and victim behavior

2 forms of lethal aggression in this population: predation and competition

Predation and Competition

(Definitions, subsets, definitions of subsets, model, type of homicide)

Competition: rivals compete for desired objects like drugs, territory, income, and mates. These are Emotion-based or profit motivated. 

Emotion-based: child abuse fatalities, revenge, retribution, raged based homicides

Profit motivated: drug, robbery, extortion cases

Predation: offender needing or desiring the child, sexually motivated homicides

Sexually motivated: requiring physical evidence of a sex act She doesn't agree with their definition of predation.

Boudreaux et al, Child-victim homicide

Boudreaux: Which age groups are associated with which forms of aggression?

(Age ranges: 0-4, 5-12, 13-17. Explanations for associations, accessibility to offenders)

0-4 and 13-17 are more often involved in competition motivated homicides. The child is a stumbling block to controlling or accessing something desired 

Young children (0-4 years) big strain on immediate family, viewed as burden/rival for resources. In competition with/risk of homicide by: members of own family. Limited mobility, close parental supervision. Increased vulnerability to offenders within the home

Male Teenagers (13-17 years): Competing for status/sex/resources with nonfamily members. More mobile, interact w/ nonfamily members more. Decreased supervision and increased vulnerability to offenders outside home. No money and access to drugs and guns makes it worse

5-12 are more often victims of sexual predation

The child is “the resource or desired object”

Children (5-12 years): less demanding, less likely to be competition. More accessible to people outside family. Overall decreased risk and low incidence of homicide. Risk of sexual predation, majority of child abduction homicides

More likely females

Juvenile Offender Homicide

(Typology, Types, Characteristics of offenders)

Majority of offenders are adults

Myers et al: Typology of Juvenile Homicide Case types:

Criminal Enterprise- more likely to target an adult or older victim who was a stranger and (these children were) more likely to suffer to abuse (from family)

Personal Crime- selected child or adolescent victims who they knew

Abuse, learning disorders, history of violence, failure in school, psychotic symptoms

Development of violence over life course

Focus on risk factors & contribution of risk factors to developmental process

--Disadvantaged family (harsh parenting, mental deficits)  

-->school failure (peer rejection, conduct problems)

--> poor parental monitoring (poor relationships)

--> antisocial peers

--> violent behavior

-not based on any psychological theory/principles 

-offender interviews to develop classification- unreliable 

never tested their model

   -Most of the behaviors are high-frequency behaviors, so useless. Way more disorganized behaviors. 

More lower frequency behaviors on disorganized side. Most of the low frequency things are mutilation--all pretty much mean the same thing.

Conclusions:

Overlap between types

Inclusion of high frequency behaviors

Organized/disorganized model not supported

Model should not be used for academic or practical purposes

Motivational Spectrum of Homicide **

(Who, what, 5 categories)

Classified homicide along a continuum from those stimulated by external factors at one end to those motivated by internal factors at the opposite end.

Five categories:

Environmental (externally motivated)

Situational

Impulsive 

Catathymic 

Compulsive- serial  (internally motivated, applies to all serial homicide according to S)

Homicides resulting from organic, toxic, or paranoid states were separate from this model

*Revitch and Schlesigner, and later on Schlesigner

Environmental Classification

(Definition, model, spectrum level)

motivated by social factors

Crime of obedience; organized crime; media influence

Motivational Spectrum of Homicide

1 of 5 (primarily external)

Situational Classification

(definition, model, spectrum level)

Situational- motivated by powerful feelings of stress and occur under certain circumstances

Domestic homicide- lovers triangle

Impulsive Classification

(definition, model, spectrum level)

motivated by conscious or unconscious feelings that can’t be controlled- spur of the moment; chronic poor impulse control- often chronic offenders (long history of criminal behavior, KEY is chronic offender, impulse control issue)

Motivational Spectrum of Homicide

3 of 5. Between external and internal

Catathymic Classification

(Definition, types, model, spectrum level, difference from impulsive, characteristics common to both)

Motivated by internal conflicts: feelings of sexual inadequacy/inferiority and/or building feelings of tension

-Internally motivated homicide and offenders act violently when victims trigger emotional conflicts (which cause on explosion of violence which may end in homicide)

Emotional conflicts can be manifested in two ways: 

Acute Process: sudden, violent, unplanned

Chronic: Planned, obsessive rumination, violent (not sudden)

(DIFFERENT types of emotional conflicts)

(Impulsive is different because committed by chronic offender and acute catathymic isn't necessarily a chronic offender)

Both: Offender = male, victim = female. Attempt to contact mental health profession before, no attempt to elude authorities after

Trigger: deep seated sexual inadequacy, victim insults/taunts.

Victim: stranger.

Unplanned.

Method of attack: Sudden, violent, overkill.

Sexual activity prior: before homicide, possibly impotence.

Postmortem Behavior: necrophilia, dismemberment

Trigger: Tension, frustration, helplessmess inadequacy

Relationship: close relationship, intimate/former intimate

Planning: Planned / stalking / obsessive rumination

Method of Attack: violent but not sudden

Postmortem Behavior: Rarely postmortem assault, relief, possibly suicide

Develops feeling they must kill person and experience release of tension afterwards. May commit suicide afterwards 

Staging 

(Definition)

The purposeful alteration of a crime scene prior to the arrival of the police. 

Staging

(Purpose, reasons)

Purpose: Re-direct investigation away from offender

Reasons:

-Take things from crime scene to make crime of passion seem like burglary gone wrong

-Protect victim or victims family

-Victim dies in unflattering manner- change it

Essentially self-protection or protecting the victim or family

-Identify staging through inconsistencies in crime scene.

Did offender take unnecessary items?

Personation

(Definition, reason, repetition)

Def: Unusual behavior beyond what is necessary to commit crime.

Reason: Violence may begin as fantasy- when these are translated into action then emotional needs may be displayed at crime scene

Intimate meaning in crime scene behavior (positioning body; mutilation)

Includes Undoing

Repetition: When repetitive (across series of crimes)- signature (or ritualistic behavior)

Undoing

(Definition, type of _____)

occurs when there is close relationship btw vic & offender (covering vic) remorse (on part of offender)

Specific type of personation

Modus Operandi

Actions taken by an offender during the perpetration of a crime. Carry out crime and evade detection

Learned set of behaviors that offender develops over time and remains somewhat consistent. 

M.O. will evolve as offender learns what works

FBI Crime Classification Manual

(What, Types of Murder)

Most widely used/known classification system.

Identifies four types of murder based on offender’s motivations

Criminal enterprise murder 

Personal cause murder

Sexual homicide 

Group cause homicide 

Criminal Enterprise Murder

(Basic definition, list subcategories, model)

Murder committed for material gain

Eight subcategories

Contract murder, Gang motivated murder, Criminal Competition, Kidnap Murder, Product tampering, Drug murder, Insurance motivated murder, Felony murder 

Part of FBI Crime Classification

Contract Murder

(Definition, subset of ____, model)

Kills by secret assault or surprise for profit. Usually an absence of a prior relationship btw victim and offender

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Gang Motivated Murder

(Definition, subset of ____, model)

Gang motivated murder: fatalities associated with gang activity- territory/drugs 

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder under FBI Crime Classification

Criminal Competition

(Definition, subset of ____, model)

Homicide as a result of organized crime conflict over control of territory

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Kidnap Murder 

(Definition, subset of _____, model)

Person abducted for ransom and killed whether ransom is obtained or not.  

Subset of Criminal Enterprise Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Personal Cause Murder

(Definition, subsets, model)

Committed under emotional conflict/passion and precipitated by altercation/argument

Contains 11 subcategories including

Eroto-mania-motivated, Domestic Homicide, Argument/Conflict Murder, Authority Murder, Revenge Murder, Extremist Murder, Mercy Homicide, Hostage Murder

Eroto-mania Motivated Murder

(Definition, victim profile, planning style/development, similarity to other classification, subset of ____, model

Murder is motivated by offenders fantasy and preoccupation with victim.

Victim maybe high profile; superior at work; higher status

Victim becomes imagined lover- fantasy is built

Greater distance btw offender and vic- more planning/stalking; little forensic evidence

Develop fantasy, rumination, obsessed with victim

Similar to chronic catathymic homicide

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Occurs when family or household member kills another member of the household (often after dispute, crime of passion)

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Argument/Conflict Murder

(Definition, subtype of ____, model)

Murder that results from a dispute or personal conflict between persons- excluding family/household members

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, under FBI Crime Classification

Authority Murder

(Definition, subset of, model)

Offender kills person who has an authority relationship or symbolic authority relationship over victim. Offender perceives that they have been wronged by victim

Subset of Personal Cause, under FBI Crime Classification

Revenge Murder

(Definition, subset of, model)

Killing in retaliation for a perceived wrong, real or imaginary, committed against the offender or a significant other

Subset of Personal Cause Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Sexual Murder

(Definition, subsets, model)

Involves a sexual element (activity) as the basis for the sequence of acts leading to death

Murder that has a sexual component in the situation/dynamic that leads to murder

Subtypes

Organized/Disorganized/Mixed (both) 

Sadistic

Elder Sexual

Organized/Disorganized/Mixed** Sexual Murder

(Mixed definition, Model, basic org/disorg definition)

Mixed category: pertains to crimes that don't fall under either type but contain features of both. Proposed they occur because of situational factors (victim resists), or juvenile (experimenting, etc) or substance use 

Org: Planned, exercised control

Disorg: Impuslive, haphazard, depersonalizing and mutliation

FBI Crime Classification Manual

Sadistic Murder

(Definition; Victim type; behaviors: prior, during, after; Subset of; model)

Established pattern of sexual arousal to sadistic imagery. 

Sexual gratification from torture (physical and mental) and victim’s response to torture

Victims- white female adults who are strangers, may be symbolic 

Behaviors: Stalking; multiple crime scenes; torture- need isolated location and may have custom made torture

Preparation- gloves worn; bondage & binding (may take steps to conceal identity)

Serial killers

Subset of Sexual Murder, part of FBI Crime Classification

Group Cause Murder

(Definition, subsets, model)

Committed by two+ people who share ideologies or beliefs (including just planning, not necessarily the act)

Three subcategories

Cult murder 

Extremist murder 

Group excitement

Part of FBI Crime Classification

Keppel and Walter Model

(Basis, type of homicide, subsets)

Based sexual homicide classification on different offender motivations and behavioral patterns (designed for profiling purposes)

Proposed the rapist classifications developed by Hazelwood and Burgess (1987) could be expanded and applied to rape-murder offenders. 

Four subcategories:

Power-Assertive 

Power-Reassurance

Anger- Retaliatory

Anger-Excitation 

Power Assertive

(Motivation, Crime Scene Characteristics, victim, type of crime scene, model)

Motivation: power

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape; unplanned murder

Increasing aggression leads to death

Clothing torn

Weapon is knife/rope- something easily concealed

Severe violence but no mutilation

Victim of opportunity, often stranger

Organized crime scene- attempt to cover up crime

Keppel and Walter Model

Power Assertive Offender

(age, attitude, history, problems with this, classification)

Early 20s

Preoccupied with macho image (body builder/tattoos)

Arrogant/condescending towards others

Unsuccessful interpersonal relationships; limited education experiences, military, criminal history

(A lot of these are general statements that could be applied to people in their early 20s)

Keppel and Walter Classification

Power Reassurance

(Motivation, crime scene characteristics, victim, crime scene type, classification)

Motivation: power; Assault is fantasy driven (seduction/conquest fantasy); throughout rape, seeking reassurance for sexual adequacy--engage in polite dialogue throughout rape

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape; unplanned murder

Victim doesn't yield - offender is enraged/sense of failure/panic

Victim may be acquaintance or stranger

Threats and intimidates to gain control

May engage in postmortem activities with victims body (cut or mutilate, necrophilia)

Souvenirs may be taken, disorganized crime scene

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Power Reassurance Offender

(Age, issues, history, classification)

 mid 20s

Issues: with inadequacy - lives in fantasy life for fear of rejection

Sexually inadequate - develops fantasy through pornography - window peeping, fondling of clothing

History: Loner socially isolated, lacks intimate relationship

Little/limited education (could finish high school, unlikely they went to college), menial jobs, low income

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Anger Retaliatory

(Motivation, crime scene characteristics, victim, crime scene type, classification)

Motivation: anger- revenge on symbolic person; precipitated by criticism by a female

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape and murder Also crime of opportunity

Violent sexual assault and overkill 

May walk to crime scene- use a ruse 

Weapon of opportunity

Victim: May victimize a female substitute for mother, wife, female supervisor (ex. offender could have been criticized by female boss, then perpetrate against woman who reminds him of his boss (Private Practice Rape))

Disorganized crime- unplanned spontaneous 

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Anger Retaliatory Offender

(Age, characteristics, history)

Mid to late 20s; younger than victim

Superficial relationships, conflicted relationships with women; unsuccessful interpersonal relationships - divorce/spousal abuse

 Sexually frustrated; impotent; links sex with aggression

History: Impulsive/unpredictable, possible criminal history; if military - dishonorably discharged

Anger Retaliatory

(Motivation, crime scene characteristics, victim, classification)

Motivation: anger; gratification from inflicting pain; sadistc--pleasure is from the process not the death

Crime Scene Characteristics: Planned rape and murder

Prolonged bizarre and ritualistic attack on victim

Acts out fantasies which fuels violence 

Incorporates bondage/domination roles into killing

Multiple methods of wounding; postmortem sexual assault and experimentation

Conceals body

Victim: Chooses a victim with specific characteristics

Uses a con or ruse to contact and isolate victim

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Anger Excitation Offender

(Age, personal characteristics, history)

Age varies

Personal: Organized offender - intelligent, sociable, appears to be law abiding citizen

Compulsive/obsessive in daily habits (cleanliness, dress, etc), some college education

Sections off sadistic fantasies into a private world separate from public eye (away from public persona) 

History: Married, financially secure

Keppel and Walter Sexual Homicide

Based on rape classifications, no empirical evidence, very specific criteria, heavily based on and links personal characteristics, motivations and behaviors.

Lots of overlap. Based on untested classification and uses untested classification.

Assumes personality from behaviors, very specific offender characteristics but lots of ambiguity and questionable.

No talk about situation. Don't talk much about the victims