METHODOLOGY FOR ANALYSIS

For both a cold case or a wrongful conviction, the analytical process is the same, beginning with a 24 hrs. timeline, and proceeding through aspect of the matter at hand.

24 hr. Timeline

Crime Lab Reports

1. Ballistics
2. Fingerprints
3. Clothing examination
4. DNA Testing

Medico-legal Findings

1. Physical Injuries
2. Cause and Manner of Death
3. Sexual Activity Rape Kit
4. Toxicology Report

Victimology Data

1. Name
2. Race
3. D.O.B
4. Age
5. Height
6. Weight
7. Hair Color
8. Residence Location
9. Residence Type and Description
10. Employment; Current and Historical
11. Education
12. Social Media
13. Intimate History
14. Criminal History
15. Drug and Alcohol Abuse
16. Medical and Mental Health History

Victim Exposure

Victim lifestyle exposure;

Lifestyle exposure refers to potentially harmful elements that exists in a victim’s everyday life as a consequence of biological and environmental factors, as well as past choices.

Victim situational exposure: Situational exposure refers to the amount of actual exposure or vulnerability experienced by the victim to harm, resulting from the environment and personal traits, at the time of victimization.

Crime Scene Analysis\Characteristics

1. Location of the Scene
2. Location Type (Indoor, Outdoor, in an automobile, in the water)
3. Crime Scene Type
4. Victim Last Location
5. Point of Contact
6. Victim Selection (targeting)
7. Use of Weapons
8. Use of a Vehicle

Method of Attack

The offender’s mechanism for initially overpowering a victim after making the approach. The attack is described in terms of the weapon and the nature of the force involved.

Use of Force

The amount of force used by the offender(s) during the attack.

Method of Control

The means an offender used to manipulate, regulate, restrain and subdue vitim behavior of any kind throughout the offense (e.g., threats, weapon, ligatures).

Evidence of Multiple Offenders

Victim Resistance

The amount and type of opposition or noncompliance offered by the victim during an attack (e.g., use of weapon, defensive injuries).

Items Missing or Taken

Sexual Acts

Time

1. The length of time the offender(s) spent with the victims.
2. Evidence of Planning
3. Opportunistic Elements
4. Precautionary Acts
5. Evidence of Staging
6. Offender Traits and Characteristics

Signature Behaviors

Act s committed by an offender that are not necessary to commit the crime, but suggest the psychological or emotional needs.

Motivations

A motivation is the emotional, psychological land\or material need that impels and are satisfied by the behavior.

1. Knowledge of the Victim
2. Knowledge of the Scene
3. Special Skills Required
4. Physical Requirements.