Retrospective analysis of violent crimes in Marmara, Turkey

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the contribution of expert reports, which were prepared as a result of examining the evidence sent to Istanbul Criminal Laboratory, to the conclusion of judicial cases of burglary, homicide, and wounding in the provinces of Marmara Region between the years 2004‐2005.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, 6,249 judicial cases (murder, wounding, burglary) that occurred within the borders of Marmara Region during 2004‐2005 and were submitted to Istanbul Criminal Police Laboratory (KPL) have been subjected to evaluation according to the years (2004, 2005), the type of the case (murder, wounding, or burglary), whether any sexual assaults also occurred, the existence of the biological evidence (blood, saliva, skin residue, hair, tissue, semen, blood and similar biological material), and the conclusion of cases.FindingsWhen analyzing the crime types, it was seen that wounding and burglary were committed the most, respectively in 2004 and 2005. Out of total committed crimes in this period, homicide held the lowest percentage. The most evaluated biological evidence was blood. Sexual assaults realized together with violent crimes were on an average of 0.8 percent. By analyzing the biological evidence, the success in identifying the perpetrators of the cases was only 16 percent, which has to be evaluated carefully.Originality/valueFinding evidence at the crime scene and its proper investigation and submission to courts are extremely important. From this aspect, the expert reports of the Criminal Laboratories have an important level of impact on the conclusion of the cases. Commencing with the evidence collected from homicide, wounding and burglary crimes, which were committed in Marmara Region, it is necessary to evaluate the current situation and offer proposals for increasing its effectiveness.