Death and Disposal Locations of Serial Homicides: The Effect on Recovery Timeframes

Abstract

Many factors affect the solvability of homicides, including body disposal location and time between death and recovery. The aim of this exploratory study was to probe a number of spatiotemporal variables for trends across a subset of solved homicide case data from 54 North American serial killers, active between 1920 and 2016 (125 solved cases) to identify areas for further research. We investigated murder site and body disposal site as location variables with eight subcategories across eight discrete time series, seeking insight into how these factors may affect the early stages of an investigation and (therefore by inference) solvability. The findings showed that bodies recovered after 48 hours are more likely discovered outdoor while those discovered within 24 hours, within the victim’s residence. This has implications for the ability to recover forensic evidence when bodes are located after a prolonged time since death as well as in more hostile environments.

Sexual homicide offenders as repeat and nonrepeat offenders: An empirical study of sexual homicide cases in Mainland China

“…An example of this is the choice of crime location. In a study of 125 solved serial homicides, Chapman et al (2022) found that victims murdered in outdoor locations were less likely to be discovered shortly after death than those who were murdered indoors. Compared with homicides committed indoors, where the victim's body may be relatively well preserved, T A B L E 3 Unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the relationship between the offenders' modus operandi (MO) and criminal history in Chinese male sexual homicides (N = 86).…”

Counting the days: Exploring the post‐mortem interval factors in sexual homicides

“…It is also key in ascertaining if the victim was killed at a different location from where their body was found, aiding in establishing the offender's motives (Cockle & Bell, 2015), and consequently, affecting the resolution of homicide cases. The initial 48 h of an investigation are particularly crucial, as highlighted in law enforcement training (Brown & Keppel, 2012;Chapman et al, 2021;Reale & Beauregard, 2019). Locating the victim's body quickly is to prevent the loss of key evidence and information that could connect the offender to the crime.…”

“…Quick recovery of the victim's remains is essential to preserve forensic evidence since biological materials such as DNA and RNA degrade over time, potentially affecting the evidence's integrity (Bathrick & Davoren, 2021). As such, a shorter PMI is ideal for collecting trace evidence, including fibers, hairs, and soil samples, which are critical for identifying the perpetrator and reconstructing the crime scene (Chapman et al, 2021;Cockle & Bell, 2015;Ferguson & Pooley, 2019;Reale & Beauregard, 2019). To date, there are very few studies that delve into the factors influencing the time frame of body recovery.…”

“…To date, there are very few studies that delve into the factors influencing the time frame of body recovery. Notable contributions in this area are two studies conducted by Reale and Beauregard (2019) and Chapman et al (2021).…”

“…Thus, shorter PMI is preferred for forensic examinations and evidence collection, which are key in determining the cause of death, identifying suspects, and securing vital forensic evidence (Cockle & Bell, 2015;Ferguson & Pooley, 2019;Reale & Beauregard, 2019). Timely body recovery also helps in preserving important physical evidence, enhancing the chances of a successful investigation and prosecution (Chapman et al, 2021).…”