Crime Classification Manual Introduction 7

 

A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES

SECOND EDITION

 

John E. Douglas, Ann W. Burgess, Allen G. Burgess, and Robert K. Ressler,

Editors

 

Crime Scene Indicators

Of the many elements that constitute the crime scene, not all will be present or recognizable with every offense. The following sections describe the ma- jor points investigators should consider when looking at the crime scene, especially as it pertains to crime classification. The modus operandi as it re- lates to the crime scene and forensics is covered in Chapter One.

 

How Many Crime Scenes? How many crime scenes are involved with the offense? There may be one site, as in group excitement homicide. In con-

 

trast, the product tamperer may taint the product at one location and then put it on shelves in several stores. The victim may consume the product in one location but die in another location. In this case, there are at least four crime scenes.

The use of several locales during the commission of an offense frequently gives the investigator significant insight into the nature of the offender. One example is the disorganized sexual killer who may confront, assault, kill, and leave the body all in the same location. In contrast, the organized killer may abduct, assault, kill, and dispose of the victim using separate locations for each event.