Body Disposal: Spatial and Temporal Characteristics in Korean Homicide

Abstract

This study explores the body disposal patterns in a sample of 54 Korean homicides that occurred between 2006 and 2012. Based on information collected by the police during their investigation, factors that could influence body disposal patterns were examined, such as homicide classification, intention, whether an accomplice was present, and offender mental disorder. Bivariate analyses showed that the majority of the victims who were disposed of were acquaintances of the offenders. Moreover, several offenders were more likely to dispose of the dead body "within hours" of killing the victim. Dead bodies were usually recovered in agricultural areas, forest/wooded areas, as well as residential areas. It was also noteworthy that, in 47 cases, the offender had knowledge of the geographic area where the body was dumped. In cases of "expressive" homicide, victims were more likely to be disposed of somewhere far away (e.g., over 40 km) from the crime scene, whereas "instrumental" homicide victims appeared to be disposed of somewhere closer (e.g., within 30 km) to the crime scene. Results are discussed in light of their practical implications for homicide investigations.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Canadian and Korean Sexual Homicide

“…The differences in routine activities of the offenders and the victim could also account for the differences observed in the crime locations. Thus, Canadian SHOs disposed of the body at an outdoor location almost twice as often as Korean SHOs and NSHOs, which is in accordance with Sea and Beauregard (2018, 2016) and Salfati and Park (2007).…”

“…In another study looking at body disposal of Korean homicidal offenders including sexual homicides, Sea and Beauregard (2018) found that most bodies were disposed within a few hours after the murder, usually occurring during the middle of the night. This temporal pattern is different from previous studies originating from the United States and Canada (i.e., Hanfland, Keppel, & Weis, 1997; Nethery, 2004; Rossmo, 2008), where bodies can be disposed of during daytime or hours after the homicide.…”

“Drop the Body”: Body Disposal Patterns in Sexual Homicide

“…The authors found that close to half of stranger homicides involved an accomplice, and the majority of the offenders had access to a vehicle, which indicates the significance of pre-crime factors. Further, results showed that most bodies were dumped in wooded or agriculture areas, suggesting that offenders made rational choices in selecting deserted areas to dispose of the victim's body (Sea & Beauregard, 2018). In terms of geographic distance, the authors found that the majority of offenders committed the crime close to where they first encountered their victim (0.3 km) but were willing to travel up to 30 km to dump the victim's body.…”

“…A recent study conducted by Sea and Beauregard (2018) investigated 54 Korean homicide cases and found several factors which influenced body disposal patterns. The authors found that close to half of stranger homicides involved an accomplice, and the majority of the offenders had access to a vehicle, which indicates the significance of pre-crime factors.…”

“…In terms of geographic distance, the authors found that the majority of offenders committed the crime close to where they first encountered their victim (0.3 km) but were willing to travel up to 30 km to dump the victim's body. In addition, expressive offenders (i.e., behaviors that center around the victim, such as rage or anger towards victim) were more likely to travel further from the crime scene to dispose of the victim's body, whereas instrumental offenders (i.e., behaviors that center around the material or sexual benefits the victim provide to the offender) were more likely to choose a closer disposal site (Sea & Beauregard, 2018). These results suggested that pre-crime, crime, and post-crime phase factors were important in influencing the offender's decision to move the body.…”