Practical Homicide Investigation: Checklist and Field Guide

This practical how-to guide contains many of the checklists from Practical Homicide Investigation, Third Edition that lead you step-by-step through procedures, tactics, and forensic techniques used in sudden death and violent death investigations. Using these checklists will ensure that a proper and complete investigation is undertaken at the death scene.

Many times, officers in the field come across evidence that they don't know how to collect properly. This versatile field guide contains an important appendix that provides collection of evidence procedures for field personnel, categorized by type of evidence.

With the help of this book, no matter when you come into an investigation, you are ready to go. Indexed by type of crime for quick and easy reference, this guide is a must-have for anyone responding to a death investigation.

The Checklist Approach to Homicide Investigation
THE HOMICIDE CRIME SCENE
Introduction
The Crime Scene
THE PATROL OFFICER'S DUTIES
First Officer's Duties Upon Arrival
Patrol Officer Establishing the Crime Scene
Protecting the Crime Scene
The Crime Scene Sign-In Sheet
The First Officer Initiates the Homicide Investigation
Recommended Procedures to Initiate the Investigation
Patrol Officer's Quicklist
The Patrol Officer's Checklist
Initial Call/Receipt of Information
Arrival at the Homicide Crime Scene
Protection of the Crime Scene
Notifications
Preliminary Investigation
Suspect in Custody
Suicide and Accidental Deaths
THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AT THE SCENE
The Detectives
Initial Receipt of Information
Prior to Leaving for the Scene Instruct Patrol to...
THE INVESTIGATIVE CHECKLIST
Documentation
Initial Receipt of Information
Arrival at the Homicide - Death Scene
Preliminary Inspection of the Body at the Crime Scene
Implement Crime Scene Control Procedures
Initiate a Crime Scene Log
Establish a Policy for Crime Scene Integrity
Establish a Command Post or Temporary Headquarters
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Ambulance Personnel
Initiate a Canvass
Weapons
The Suspect in Custody
Suspect in Custody: Interrogation at the Scene
Crime Scene Photographs
Documentation of Crime Scene Photographs
Recommended Crime Scene Photographs
The Crime Scene Sketch
The Crime Scene Search
Dust for Fingerprints
Description of the Deceased
Preliminary Medical Examination at the Scene
Victim - Hospital Information
Evidence Process and Control Procedures
Release of the Homicide Crime Scene
Duties of the Detective Supervisor on Arrival at the Scene
SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIVE DUTIES AT THE SCENE
The Suspect in Custody
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
SUICIDE INVESTIGATION
Investigative Considerations
Suicide Notes
Suicide Checklist
Evaluation of the Wounds
Psychological State of the Victim
Any Prior Mental Disease or Defect
Recognized Warning Signs and Extreme Danger Signs in Suicides Warning Signs
Extreme Danger Signs
Final Exit Suicides
Investigative Checklist for Final Exit Cases
Recommendations
SUICIDE-BY-COP SCENARIOS
Some Suicide Indicators Are...
AUTOEROTIC FATALITIES (ACCIDENTAL SEXUAL ASPHYXIA)
Investigative Considerations
Autoerotic Checklist
INVESTIGATING FATAL FIRES CHECKLIST
The Investigative Considerations
The Fire Incident
Suspicious Designation: General Determination
Factors
Maintenance of the Fire Crime Scene
Investigation at the Scene
Determination of Arson
SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS)
Investigative Checklist
MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY (MSBP)
Warning Signs
CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION
Documentation of Crime Scene Photographs
Recommended Crime Scene Photographs
Videotape Protocol
Arrival at Scene
Taping Protocol Checklist
DOCUMENTATION OF THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH
The Title Block
THE HOMICIDE CRIME SCENE SEARCH
Formulating the Search
Examination of the Body at the Scene
Examination of the Outdoor Crime Scene
RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTING PROPER DEATH NOTIFICATIONS TO SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS
SEX-RELATED HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
The Crime Scene Investigation
Sex-Related Crime Scene Checklist
THE MEDICOLEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
Examination of the Crime Scene
Descriptive Information
ANATOMICAL FIGURES
Supervisor's Homicide Checklist
Supervising the Preliminary Investigation at the Scene
Directing Specific Investigative Duties
Supervising Homicide Crime Scene Search
THE INVESTIGATION OF POLICE-RELATED SHOOTINGS
Police-Related Shooting Report
APPENDIX
PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE
COLLECTION OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF EVIDENCE
Body Materials
Blood (Wet)
Blood Stains (Dry)
Semen
Urine
Spittle or Saliva
Feces
Vomit
Tissue
Hair
Objects
Bullets
Discharged Casings or Cartridges
Shotgun Shells
Live Cartridges or Rounds of Ammunition
Shotgun Wadding
Weapons
Firearms
Fibers
Fabric
Cigarette/Cigar Butts
Displaced Furniture
Soil
Tools
Vehicles
Clothing
Documents (Letters, Notes, Papers)
Glass
Impressions
Fingerprint Examination
Types of Fingerprints
Development of Fingerprints
Chemical Processes
Tire Tracks and Footprints
Tool Marks
Newly Damaged Areas
Collection of Bite-Mark Evidence at the Scene
Photographs of the Bite-Mark Wound
Saliva Washings
Application of DNA Technology
Notes