chapter 30 crc press: forensic science, james and nordby, 2nd edition 1# forensic science an...

Chapter 30Chapter 30 CRC Press: Forensic Science, James and NoCRC Press: Forensic Science, James and Nordby, 2nd Editionrdby, 2nd Edition

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Forensic ScienceForensic ScienceAn Introduction to Scientific and An Introduction to Scientific and

Investigative TechniquesInvestigative Techniques

Stuart H. James and Jon J. NordbyStuart H. James and Jon J. Nordby

22Chapter 30Chapter 30 CRC Press: Forensic Science, James and NoCRC Press: Forensic Science, James and Nordby, 2nd Editionrdby, 2nd Edition

Chapter 30Chapter 30

Serial Offenders: Linking Serial Offenders: Linking Cases by Modus Operandi Cases by Modus Operandi

and Signatureand Signature

Chapter Author: Robert D. KeppelChapter Author: Robert D. Keppel

• Presentation created by Greg Galardi, Peru, NebraskaPresentation created by Greg Galardi, Peru, Nebraska


Introduction to Crime Scene Introduction to Crime Scene AssessmentAssessment

• Outcomes possible from crime Outcomes possible from crime scene assessment (Keppel and scene assessment (Keppel and Walter, 1999) include:Walter, 1999) include:• Determining the physical, behavioral, Determining the physical, behavioral,

and demographic characteristics of and demographic characteristics of the unknown offenderthe unknown offender

• Developing post-offense behavior of Developing post-offense behavior of the offender and strategies for the offender and strategies for apprehensionsapprehensions



• Developing interviewing Developing interviewing strategies once the offender is strategies once the offender is apprehendedapprehended

• Determining the signature of the Determining the signature of the offenderoffender

• Determining where the evidence Determining where the evidence may be locatedmay be located



• Information used for analysis may Information used for analysis may come from:come from:• Police officer reportsPolice officer reports• StatementsStatements• Crime laboratory resultsCrime laboratory results• PhotographsPhotographs• Videotapes of crime scenesVideotapes of crime scenes• Autopsy reportsAutopsy reports


Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

• MO- modus operandi or method of MO- modus operandi or method of operationoperation

• Modus Operandi first appeared in Modus Operandi first appeared in literature in 1654literature in 1654

• Chief Constable Major L.W. Atcherly of Chief Constable Major L.W. Atcherly of England used ten categories related to England used ten categories related to an offender’s modus operandi in 1879an offender’s modus operandi in 1879


Atcherly’s 10 Categories Atcherly’s 10 Categories

• ClasswordClassword• EntryEntry• MeansMeans• ObjectObject• TimeTime

• StyleStyle• TaleTale• PalsPals• TransportTransport• TrademarkTrademark


TrademarkTrademark

• Atcherly’s Atcherly’s trademark trademark was the precursor was the precursor of what would have been known as the of what would have been known as the signaturesignature today today

• Trademark, according to Atcherly, was Trademark, according to Atcherly, was whether the criminal committed any whether the criminal committed any unusual act in connection with the unusual act in connection with the crime- such as changing clothes, crime- such as changing clothes, poisoning the dog, leaving a notepoisoning the dog, leaving a note


What is a Killer’s SignatureWhat is a Killer’s Signature

• Also referred to as a killer’s Also referred to as a killer’s psychological calling cardpsychological calling card

• Homicide detectives are trained to look Homicide detectives are trained to look for unusual characteristics: victim left for unusual characteristics: victim left in a certain position, beaten or raped in a certain position, beaten or raped with a certain instrument with a certain instrument

• Subsequent killings of same type alert Subsequent killings of same type alert detectives to possible serial qualitiesdetectives to possible serial qualities


Differentiating MO and SignatureDifferentiating MO and Signature

• MO is simply the way a particular MO is simply the way a particular criminal operates:criminal operates:

• Using a glass cutter to break into buildingUsing a glass cutter to break into building

• Using a drill to open door locksUsing a drill to open door locks

• Way entry was gainedWay entry was gained


Differentiating Modus operandi Differentiating Modus operandi (MO) and Signature(MO) and Signature

• MO accounts for type of crime and MO accounts for type of crime and property attacked, including the property attacked, including the person, time and place of crime, tool or person, time and place of crime, tool or implements used, way of entry, how implements used, way of entry, how victim was caught, or how suspect victim was caught, or how suspect represented himself to victimrepresented himself to victim


Signature Versus Modus Signature Versus Modus OperandiOperandi

• FBI Behavioral Science Units and FBI Behavioral Science Units and representatives, such as John Douglas, representatives, such as John Douglas, advise MO of killer is only those advise MO of killer is only those actions necessary to commit the actions necessary to commit the murdermurder



• Signature is the killer’s compulsion to Signature is the killer’s compulsion to express themselvesexpress themselves

• Imprint left at scene he feels Imprint left at scene he feels psychologically compelled to satisfy psychologically compelled to satisfy himself sexuallyhimself sexually



• FBI defends the signature aspect of a FBI defends the signature aspect of a killer, saying that the elements of killer, saying that the elements of personal expression will only develop personal expression will only develop more fully over timemore fully over time

• According to Douglas, person’s violent According to Douglas, person’s violent fantasies progress in nature over time, fantasies progress in nature over time, and develops a need to develop those and develops a need to develop those fantasiesfantasies



• According to Gerberth (1996), it is According to Gerberth (1996), it is simply not enough to consummate the simply not enough to consummate the murder, the killer must act out fantasies murder, the killer must act out fantasies in some manner.in some manner.

• The acting out is the signature of the The acting out is the signature of the killerkiller



• Detectives who investigate a series of Detectives who investigate a series of murder scenes look for the same type murder scenes look for the same type of extraordinary violence and a set of of extraordinary violence and a set of bizarre similaritiesbizarre similarities

• A signatures constitutes a strong A signatures constitutes a strong possibility the same person is possibility the same person is committing the crimecommitting the crime


• Items a detective or investigator may Items a detective or investigator may look for at a crime scene:look for at a crime scene:• How victim was placed, arrangement How victim was placed, arrangement

of crime scene, preoccupation with a of crime scene, preoccupation with a certain aspect of the scene, certain aspect of the scene, mutilation, overkill, body carving, mutilation, overkill, body carving, engaging in postmortem activity, engaging in postmortem activity, making victim respond in a certain making victim respond in a certain mannermanner



Signature AnalysisSignature Analysis

• Examples of clues to a serial killing in Examples of clues to a serial killing in the Shoreline Murdersthe Shoreline Murders• Acts of binding occurring at consecutive Acts of binding occurring at consecutive

murdersmurders• Number of stabbing strokes necessary for Number of stabbing strokes necessary for

killingkilling• Disposition of victim’s body- placementDisposition of victim’s body- placement• Taking of souvenirsTaking of souvenirs• Burning of bodies in certain areasBurning of bodies in certain areas


Statistical AnalysisStatistical Analysis

• Homicide Investigation and tracking Homicide Investigation and tracking System (HITS) in Washington State is a System (HITS) in Washington State is a central repository for murder and central repository for murder and sexual assault victims in state of sexual assault victims in state of WashingtonWashington

• System has 227 query capabilitiesSystem has 227 query capabilities• Other states and federal agencies have Other states and federal agencies have

similar systemssimilar systems


Catching the KillerCatching the Killer

• Necessary items to catch a killer:Necessary items to catch a killer:• Thorough investigation of crime sceneThorough investigation of crime scene• Cooperation with all agencies involvedCooperation with all agencies involved• Review all evidence from witnessesReview all evidence from witnesses• DNA analysis and laboratory analysis of DNA analysis and laboratory analysis of

evidenceevidence• Coordinated efforts with prosecutionCoordinated efforts with prosecution

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