The Psychology of Death Investigations outlines definitively how behavioral evidence can often provide the necessary components and "missing pieces" to complement physical evidence as an essential tool for incident reconstruction. In order to determine the direction of an investigation and to prioritize leads, if necessary, death investigators must establish the manner of a death: natural, accident, homicide or suicide. The most overlooked aspect of death investigation is the psychological dimension, which can provide unique leads, correct false assumptions, enhance investigative awareness, and solve cases in surprising ways. In an estimated 10–20% of cases, the manner of death cannot be determined, or worse, has been erroneously categorized. Since many jurisdictions can’t afford behavioral consultants, this book has been written to provide practical information for a basic psychological analysis. If the circumstances surrounding a death are equivocal, psychological consultants can compile information retrospectively about a deceased person’s mental state and possible motive to assist with unravelling ambiguity about the manner of death. This is the primary function of a psychological autopsy, and, as such, this is the first book of its kind dedicated solely to the topic. In the event that the manner of death is determined to be a homicide, behavioral profiling can help to focus the potential pool of suspects. Professionals and students alike will benefit from the exercise of cognitive awareness and the application of psychological logic presented. Psychologists, medical examiners, coroners, attorneys, fraud examiners, law enforcement personnel, death and homicide investigators, and students enrolled in criminal profiling, forensic psychology, and criminal justice programs will find this text to be a compelling and insightful reference to add to their professional toolkit.

A collaboration between two internationally known experts, this volume presents a scientific, modern view of autoerotic death, complete with a variety of case histories and investigator tips. Enhanced with more than 100 color photos, the book begins by exploring the evolution of the concept of sexual asphyxia and autoerotic death. It then examines death scene characteristics and the importance of recognizing clues to the autoerotic nature of a death. Using a case history format to describe methods as well as typical and atypical victims, the book is an unparalleled resource for all those involved in the investigation of these peculiar incidents.

Death Investigations is the first installment of the new Jones & Bartlett Learning Guides to Law Enforcement Investigation series! Many books on the market go into the investigative and forensic aspects of “homicides” but, singularly, do not adequately address the death investigation process as a whole. Understanding the entire process and event (whether it be homicide, suicide, accident or natural) with all of its nuances makes the detectives better death investigators. In this attempt the authors have addressed how one should go about conducting a death investigation from understanding the death process, to first officers’ responses upon arrival, the victim and the victimology, the preliminary versus the follow up investigation and the issues presented at a crime scene. It further delves into investigating equivocal deaths, the art of reconstructing the facts of the case, the investigative interviewing process, to a review of common mistakes found in other cases considering the legal issues at hand. In the appendices there is a sample of the Behavioral Analysis Interview in a homicide case; the art of differentiating suspects with pre-peri and post offense behaviors and a classic equivocal death analysis of a case that has had much attention over the years. The bottom line, “Death Investigations” is a “how to” book that all law enforcement officers should have on their bookshelf.

Estimation of the Time Since Death remains the foremost authoritative book on scientifically calculating the estimated time of death postmortem. Building on the success of previous editions which covered the early postmortem period, this new edition also covers the later postmortem period including putrefactive changes, entomology, and postmortem r

Introducing the basic concepts of clinical forensic medicine and death investigation, this book covers the main areas of forensic investigation . It provides an introduction to forensic science and coverage of injury patterns, natural disease, accidental trauma, child injury and fatalities, and domestic violence. Anyone who has direct contact with death, crime, and the medicolegal system, including nurses, physicians, attorneys, death investigators, forensic pathologists, and police detectives, will find this an invaluable reference.

This book brings together academics, practitioners and experts in the field of forensic psychology to demonstrate the scope of the discipline and push its parameters. Its aim is to go beyond introductory texts to challenge perceptions, to raise questions for research and to pose problems for practice. The editors hope to inspire and stimulate debate about how forensic psychology can aid the practice of justice. The book is divided into six sections, addressing key topics from the discipline: investigation and prosecution; testimony and evidence; serious and persistent offending; treatment as intervention; intervention and prevention and punishment and corrections. The contributors are drawn from the UK, the USA and Australia. This updated, revised and significantly expanded edition develops the picture of diversity and depth of forensic psychology; considers ways in which the discipline has progressed and identifies challenges for its future sustainability and growth. includes a new section on treatment as intervention with contributions on personality disordered offenders; anger control group work with forensic psychiatric inpatients; and developments in treatment for drug misuse offenders additional chapters throughout including contributions on UK police interviews; the investigation and prosecutoin of rape; the effect of gender in the courtroom; forensic psychology and terrorism; the aetiology of genocide; self harm in prisons; post-corrections reintegration and many more an innovative textbook on forensic psychology exploring application of the subject and setting forensic psychology in a broader context demonstrates ways in which forensic psychology can aid the practice of criminal justice This book will be essential reading for students of forensic psychology and practitioners working in the field.

This remarkable book affords the opportunity to delve into the challenges that the forensic mental health specialist and public safety professional confront in death scene investigations.