Masking in murder: An exploratory study into the act of covering the victim’s face in UK homicide

Rainbow, Lee; Benson, Caitlin; Almond, Louise; Tandy, Alicia; McManus, Michelle

doi:10.1002/jip.1582

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

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“…The above taxonomy on mental disorders is often relevant to investigative advice and may also further the understanding of specific underlying psychopathology, such as psychopathy and sadism (Dhingra and Boduszek, 2013; Porter et al , 2003; Woodworth et al , 2013), anger/sadistic typology (Chai et al , 2021), the link between childhood physical abuse and sadistic traits (Cazala et al (2023), distinction between instrumental and expressive aggression in cases of homicide (Meloy, 2006; Santtila et al , 2003), motivational pattern of habitual sex offenders (Reid et al , 2014), motivation involving acts of dismemberment in homicides (Pointon and Wright, 2023), sexually motivated murders (Schlesinger, 2007), face covering in homicide cases (Rainbow et al , 2021) and overcontrolled hostility (Gudjonsson, 2018, pp. 153-155; Gudjonsson et al , 1989, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The current role and contribution of ‘forensic clinical psychologists’ (FCPs) to criminal investigation in the United Kingdom

Sigurdardóttir,

West,

Gudjonsson

2023

JCP

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Purpose This study aims to examine the scope and contribution of Forensic Clinical Psychology (FCP) advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) to criminal investigations in the UK to address the gap in current knowledge and research. Design/methodology/approach The 36 FCP reports reviewed were written between 2017 and 2021. They were analysed using Toulmin’s (1958) application of pertinent arguments to the evaluation process. The potential utility of the reports was analysed in terms of the advice provided. Findings Most of the reports involved murder and equivocal death. The reports focused primarily on understanding the offender’s psychopathology, actions, motivation and risk to self and others using a practitioner model of case study methodology. Out of the 539 claims, grounds were provided for 99% of the claims, 91% had designated modality, 62% of the claims were potentially verifiable and 57% of the claims were supported by a warrant and/or backing. Most of the reports provided either moderate or high insight into the offence/offender (92%) and potential for new leads (64%). Practical implications The advice provided relied heavily on extensive forensic clinical and investigative experience of offenders, guided by theory and research and was often performed under considerable time pressure. Flexibility, impartiality, rigour and resilience are essential prerequisites for this type of work. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to systematically evaluate forensic clinical psychology reports from the NCA. It shows the pragmatic, dynamic and varied nature of FCP contributions to investigations and its potential utility.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The current role and contribution of ‘forensic clinical psychologists’ (FCPs) to criminal investigation in the United Kingdom

Sigurdardóttir,

West,

Gudjonsson

2023

JCP

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Psychopathology, psychopathy, body management, and undoing in youthful parricide offenders

Myers,

Chan,

Safarik

et al. 2024

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This study of 21 youthful parricide offenders (YPOs) ages 11–21 examined the relationship between psychopathology, level of psychopathy, and crime scene behaviors, particularly two forms of “body management”: (1) “body movement” and (2) “body alteration.” Undoing, a form of body alteration reflecting psychological rather than practical needs, for example, to lessen guilt or symbolically reverse the killing, was present in one‐third of the sample. The sample shared common characteristics with juvenile parricide offenders overall in that most of them killed one parent, were victims of chronic child abuse, had one or more psychiatric diagnoses (PTSD was most prevalent), used a firearm, and committed the killings at the family home. Unexpectedly, YPOs who were child abuse victims were not more likely to engage in undoing behaviors than non‐abused youth, and over half of the youth with undoing behaviors had elevated psychopathy levels. Three‐quarters of youth who moved victim bodies following the murders had elevated psychopathy levels. Similarly, all three youth who transported bodies away from the crime scene had elevated psychopathy levels and conduct disorder. None of the youth with psychotic symptoms engaged in undoing behaviors, altered victim bodies, moved bodies either within or away from the home, or had an elevated degree of psychopathy; they also most often killed using bladed weapons, whereas the nonpsychotic youth usually used firearms. Studies examining the influence of mental illness and psychopathy level on parricidal behaviors by youth are scarce, and to our knowledge this is the largest study to date investigating this area.

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Masking in murder: An exploratory study into the act of covering the victim’s face in UK homicide

Cited by 2 publications

References 29 publications

The current role and contribution of ‘forensic clinical psychologists’ (FCPs) to criminal investigation in the United Kingdom

The current role and contribution of ‘forensic clinical psychologists’ (FCPs) to criminal investigation in the United Kingdom

Psychopathology, psychopathy, body management, and undoing in youthful parricide offenders

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