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39 Int. J. Offender Therapy & Comp. Criminology 1 (1995)

handle is hein.journals/ijotcc39 and id is 1 raw text is: Guest Editorial A Personal Perspective Concerning Homicide Investigation Vernon J. Geberth Homicide investigation is a serious duty with awesome responsibilities. It requires that the homicide detective possess a dynamic understanding of human behavior and the ability to conduct a thorough criminal investiga- tion. We in homicide have a mission. Our mission is to bring justice to the deceased and their surviving family. Our task (mission) demands a complete investigation that terminates in the identification and apprehension of the killer and leading to a successful prosecution of the case. A CLINICAL APPROACH In order to conduct an efficient and effective investigation, two requirements are necessary: training and experience. The detective first concentrates on the mechanical aspects of the death, i.e. motives and methods; wound structures; crime scene reconstruction; the cause, manner, and time of death, as well as other factors that provide clues to the dynamics of the event. Detectives focus on consistencies and inconsisten- cies. They must alter their investigation when new information develops. Fundamentally, homicide investigation is an information-seeking function. Physical evidence, namely hairs, fibers, blood stains, and other materials that are gathered are useless until a base population of suspects is established for purposes of comparison. Homicide without witness are difficult to solve because the main witness-the deceased-is dead. The detective needs to read the uncollectible nuances of the event. This includes the psychodynamics, namely, the underlying motivations and human emotions. Moreover, the deliberate staging of the scene in an attempt to mislead or redirect the investigation must be kept in mind. Experienced homicide detectives possess the ability to investigate sudden and violent death. Their knowledge and training assist them in processing the stressors associated with death and provide them with the ability to concentrate on the homicide inquiry. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 39(1), 1995

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