Homicide Cases Research Articles

The Incidence of Unnatural Death Before the COVID-19 Pandemic and During the COVID-19 Pandemic at the POLRI Hospital in East Jakarta in 2017-2021 Based on the Visum Et Repertum Results and The Review Ascording to the Islamic Perspective

Unnatural deaths are caused by homicide, suicide and accidents. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered problems that have led to unnatural deaths. This study aims to determine the incidence of unnatural deaths before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses a descriptive method with a retrospective study design using medical record data from 620 victims. The population of this study were victims of unnatural deaths (2017-2021) who were examined at the East Jakarta POLRI Hospital according to inclusion criteria. The results showed that the frequency of unnatural deaths in homicides occurred the most before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2017 as many as 122 victims (29.97%) and the highest gender was male with 104 victims (25.55%) and the age range Most were 17-25 years old with 42 victims (10.32%). In the case of suicide, the most cases occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as many as 19 victims (32.76%) with the highest gender being male with 14 victims (24.13%) and the highest age range being 26-35 years as many as 6 victims (10.34%). In the case of traffic accidents, the most occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 as many as 57 victims (36.77%) with the highest gender being male with 43 victims (27.74%) and the highest age range being 17-24. 25 years as many as 20 victims (12.91%). Most of the victims of unnatural death in homicide cases occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic with male gender and an age range of 17-25 years. In many cases of suicide occurred during the pandemic, with male gender and age range 26-35 years. Meanwhile, many traffic accident cases occurred before the pandemic, with male gender and an age range of 17-25 years.

Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology in Denmark

Abstract In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the status of forensic anthropology and forensic archeology in Denmark, as well as related information about education, research, and skeletal collections. Forensic anthropologists mainly deal with the examination of unidentified skeletal remains. Some special tasks include cranial trauma analysis of the recently deceased, advanced 3D visualization from CT scanning of homicide cases, and stature estimation of perpetrators using surveillance videos. Forensic anthropologists are employed at one of Denmark’s three departments of forensic medicine (in Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus) and have access to advanced imaging equipment (e.g., CT and MR scanning, surface scanners, and 3D printers) for use in both their requisitioned work and their research. Extensive research is conducted on different topics, such as the health and diseases of past populations, age estimation, and human morphology. Research is based on skeletal material from the archeological collections housed in Copenhagen and Odense or on CT data from the recently deceased. There is no full degree in forensic anthropology in Denmark, but elective courses and lectures are offered to students at different levels and to people from different professional backgrounds. Forensic archaeology is a relatively new field of expertise in Denmark, and relevant cases are rare, with only one or two cases per year. No forensic archeologists are officially employed in any of the departments of forensic medicine. Until recently, the Special Crime Unit of the police handled crime scene investigations involving excavations, but with the option of enlisting the help of outside specialists, such as archaeologists, anthropologists, and pathologists. An official excavation work group was established in 2015 under the lead of the Special Crime Unit of the police with the aim of refining the methods and procedures used in relevant criminal investigations. The group is represented by five police officers from the Special Crime Scene Unit, a police officer from the National Police Dog Training center, the two archaeologists from Moesgaard Museum, a forensic anthropologist from the Department of Forensic Medicine (University of Copenhagen), and a forensic pathologist from the Department of Forensic Medicine (University of Aarhus).

Human trafficking, homicide and current prevention efforts in The United States of America

The article focuses primarily on the question of why human trafficking is often overlooked as a contributing factor in homicide cases. As a case study, the author analyzes one of the most infamous serial murder cases in United States history, the John Wayne Gacy case, in which the human trafficking element remained hidden for almost 40 years. The case is examined from five different perspectives: (1) the prosecution; (2) the defense; (3) the police; (4) the culture; and (5) political corruption. In addition, the piece provides an overview of current efforts in the United States to prevent trafficking in persons, including a summary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, with its informative regional and country narratives, and the White House’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.

“Who is Where?” Cold Case Investigation and Collaborations Between Law Enforcement and Academia

Innovative strategies can be utilized to investigate unsolved homicides, particularly through translational criminology. We present a case study of a collaboration developed between faculty and students in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University and Michigan State Police’s First District in Lansing, Michigan. We highlight the benefits of including academics and students in these investigations and explore and critique the methodology we utilized to review a 41-year-old cold case homicide. We argue that these teams are a valuable resource with implications for the criminal justice system, the legitimacy of law enforcement, and the victims and their families.

Assessing Racial Disparities in Homicide Sentencing: Findings From Brazil.

Over the past four decades, hundreds of studies have examined the presence of racial disparities in criminal punishment. The bulk of this research has been conducted in the United States and a few other western democracies, with limited research assessing the presence of racial disparities in criminal sentencing for homicides in South America. Using information gathered via original data collection on homicide cases from five different capital cities in Brazil, the current study examines two criminal court outcomes: whether a defendant was convicted and the length of sentence. Findings reveal the absence of racial disparities in conviction decisions, even though Black and Brown defendants received longer sentence lengths. Supplementary analyses show racial disparities in sentence length are most pronounced when the homicide victim was White. Implications for studying court outcomes in international contexts are discussed.

Insulin and Oral Hypoglycemic Drug Overdose in Post-Mortem Investigations: A Literature Review.

Background and Objectives: Insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents are drugs widely used in the world population due to their therapeutic effects on diabetes mellitus. Despite these benefits, they can also cause accidental or voluntary drug overdose. This review aims to evaluate post-mortem investigations in cases of suspected hypoglycemic drug overdose. Materials and Methods: We performed a comprehensive search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards; we systematically searched the PubMed, Science Direct Scopus, Google Scholar, and Excerpta Medica Database (EM-BASE) databases from the point of database inception until August 2022. The following inclusion criteria were used: (1) original research articles, (2) reviews and mini-reviews, (3) case reports/series, (4) and only papers written in English. Results: Thirty-three scientific papers, including original research articles, case reports, and case series, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 109 cases of insulin or hypoglycemic drug overdose were found. There were 71 cases of suicide (65%), 25 cases of accidental poisoning (23%), and 13 cases of homicide (12%). The most commonly used drug was insulin (95.4%). Autopsy and post-mortem examinations were performed in 84 cases, while toxicological investigations were performed in 79 cases. The most common gross findings in the autopsy were pulmonary edema (55.7%) and congestion (41.8%), while the most common histological finding was neuronal depletion or necrosis (29.1%). Conclusions: In the suspicion of death from insulin or overdose from oral hypoglycemic agents, autopsy findings may be nonspecific, and the search for injection marks can be positive at the external examination. Significant post-mortal alterations can interest biological samples and an early autopsy investigation is recommended.

Review: En tela de juicio: Justicia penal, homicidios célebres y opinión pública (México, siglo XX), by Elisa Speckman Guerra

Review: <i>En tela de juicio: Justicia penal, homicidios célebres y opinión pública (México, siglo XX)</i>, by Elisa Speckman Guerra

Medical Liability in Obstetrics/Gynecology and Co-liability With Anesthesiology in Greece: A Retrospective Study.

Objective To evaluate the current landscape regarding medical liability in obstetric-gynecology (OB/GYN) physicians in Greece. Materials and methods Published court decisions of criminal, civil, administrative, and disciplinary content were searched in legal information banks for the years 1988-2021. The causes that led to the adverse outcome and the decisions were analyzed. Results A total of 184 decisions were directed against OB/GYNs. One hundred seventeen records concerned criminal cases and 67 civil cases. Thirty-four decisions concerned criminal cases of negligent homicide, 35 criminal cases of bodily harm, and 19 were acquittals. The most common causes of bodily injuries were neonatal encephalopathy, obstetric paralysis - quadriplegia and brachial plexus paralysis, and obstetric bleeding. Conclusion According to our results, there is a great need and challenge to maintain high standards in daily practice with continuous training and the use of international protocols. Furthermore, for each case, continuous monitoring of parturients and newborns and coordinated cooperation are necessary to reduce mortality and morbidity.

The Correlation Between Emotional Regulation and Aggressive Behavior in Inmates at The Class IIA Correctional Institution Ambarawa

This study aims to determine the relationship between emotional regulation and aggressive behavior in inmates at the Class IIA Ambarawa Correctional Institution. This study uses a quantitative research design with a correlational approach. The research population is inmates with homicide cases. While the research sample were 17 male prisoners who were selected using a saturated sampling technique. Based on the results of data analysis, the results of the research hypothesis test showed a correlation coefficient of -0.737 and a significance value of 0.000 (p&gt;0.05). This shows that there is a negative relationship between emotion regulation and aggressive behavior. Thus it can be concluded that the hypothesis in this study is accepted. The results of a simple regression analysis prove that emotional regulation affects aggressive behavior in homicide inmates at the Class IIA Ambarawa prison by 54.3%.

Patterns of homicide in Sfax, Tunisia: A 9-year cohort study (2011-2019).

In Tunisia, since the January 2011 revolution, there has been considerable media interest in violence, particularly homicides. A popular perspective is, aside from any politically motivated killings, of a rise in homicides from year to year. In the absence of Tunisian national homicide statistics, a more accurate picture may be obtainable from area pathologist records. To examine annual homicide rates from post-mortem data for the second largest administrative area of Tunisia, Sfax, with a mixed urban-rural population of about one million people. All victims of common law homicide for the region are taken to the forensic department of one hospital in Sfax. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of all such cases of homicide for the 9year period from the date of the fall of the Tunisian government in 14 January 2011 to 31 December 2019 and linked these data to those from earlier studies in the same department. One hundred and nine victims of unlawful homicide were identified during this nine year period, with an average of 12 cases per year and a peak of 17 cases in 2016, yielding a broadly consistent rate of 1.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants and no consistent pattern in fluctuations. Just over two-thirds of the victims were men. Mean age of victims was 34.85years (range 8-90years). Just under half were married (45%); largest employment groups were of low-paid casual workers (40%) or unemployed (28%). One third of the killings had taken place in a private residence, with interpersonal conflict given as the largest explanatory category; over one quarter were intra-familial and 14% between intimate partners. There was some seasonal variation, with nearly two-thirds of homicides occurring in the spring and summer months. Contrary to press hype, we found no evidence of rising homicide rates in Southern Tunisia, although this does represent a different picture from that in the north of the country. The seasonal variation would merit further exploration as it raises questions around impact of fluctuations in mental health.

Relative Importance of Instantaneous Death Detector in Resolving Death and Homicide Cases

This study determined the relative importance of an instantaneous death detector in resolving death and homicide cases. The study employed the sequential explanatory design. The investigators and criminalists of the different law enforcement agencies in Southern Leyte were taken as respondents and informants. Complete enumeration was used wherein 35 respondents answered the study questionnaire. On the other hand, comprehensive purposive sampling was utilized for the qualitative data, with seven participants interviewed. The collection of data was completed over a month. Through descriptive statistics, the results revealed that the existing methods used by investigators and criminalists in determining the estimated time elapsed since the death of the cadaver are observations of the postmortem changes, interview of witnesses, and laboratory examination. Meanwhile, Collaizi’s descriptive phenomenological data analysis identified four themes, covering: 1) immediate location of the suspects; 2) speedy identification of the suspects; 3) capability of determining the time elapsed since the death of the cadaver beyond twelve hours; and 4) portability of the device. These findings indicate that the instantaneous death detector is critical in investigating death and homicide cases. Furthermore, it is significant in the identification and location of a running criminal since it can instantly display the time of death of the cadaver on its screen. Thus, the study suggests developing and utilizing the device in the province of Southern Leyte and the international arena.

DEALING WITH DEATH ON THE ROADS S v Nyathi 2005 2 SACR 273 (SCA)

Some fifteen years ago, Beck CJ stated in a Transkeian culpable homicide case that the need to reflect the concerns of the community about the rate of fatal collisions on the roads by avoiding “undue leniency in punishing drivers who are negligent or reckless has never been greater” (S v Mncunza 1990 2 SACR 96 (Tk) 98c). It is submitted that nothing has changed in the interim and, if anything, these words resonate even more today in the context of the plague of death on this country’s roads. Society expects the courts to protectinnocent road-users by imposing appropriately severe sentences, including imprisonment, on offenders who drive grossly negligently or recklessly (S v Birkenfield 2000 1 SACR 325 (SCA) par [9]). In the case of S v Nyathi, the Supreme Court of Appeal was presented with the opportunity to address these concerns.

Estimation of Time Since Death of Bodies Above Soil Surface in A Guinea Forest-Savannah Vegetation of Nigeria Using Visible Post Mortem Changes

Background: Forensic taphonomy is the use of decomposition timeline estimation to unravel mystery behind time of death confirmation in homicide cases involving the law court. The Guinea forest-savannah vegetation is one of the vegetations in Nigeria characterized by short trees, grassland, very hot temperatures almost round the year, speedy wind, etc. It has two distinct seasons – rainy and dry seasons. This study aimed at investigating the visible post mortem changes of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) in a Guinea forest-savannah vegetation of Nigeria so that it can be used to estimate time since death of bodies on the soil surface. Methods: A stratified random sampling technique was used to select two male and two female matured domestic pigs from a private pig farm located close to the research facility. The visible post mortem changes were observed daily (morning, afternoon and evening) for 49 days. Results: Four stages of decomposition were identified namely fresh, bloat, active decay, and advanced decay stages. Mummification process started at the sixth day post mortem which slowed the rate of decomposition, and prevented the animals to completely skeletonize within the study period. Extreme atmospheric temperature was the major factor that aided the mummification of the animals. Conclusions: Decomposition of domestic pigs in this region accelerates at the early hours of post mortem, and subsequently slows down due to extreme climatic conditions. In addition, it takes carcasses on the soil surface more than 49 days to completely skeletonize due to its vegetative factors. This implies that most crime investigations carried out in this region must take into account the climatic conditions before estimating the time of death. KEYWORDS: Crime investigation, Decomposition timeline estimation, Forensic taphonomy, Mummification, Stages of decomposition, Visible post mortem changes.

Sexual homicide and the forensic process: The decision-making process of collecting and analyzing traces and its implication for crime solving

The focus of the current study is to examine the collection and analysis of traces that are related to crime scene behaviors in sexual homicide cases as well as the factors influencing the solving of these crimes. Using 230 sexual homicide cases from the SHielD database, we computed two neural network models based on the multi-layer perceptron algorithm. First, we determined whether certain crime scene characteristics predicted the collection and analysis of traces (dependent variable for Model 1). Not surprisingly, the results indicate that trace collection and analysis were more likely to occur in sexual homicide cases with crime scene behaviors exhibiting the highest risk for trace transfer (e.g. close interactions with the victim) as well as the best conditions for trace persistence (e.g. body is found indoors). Situational and physical aspects of the crime scene are thus taken into account when deciding on the collection and analysis of traces. Second, we examined the situations in which the collection and analysis of traces contributes to crime solving (dependent variable for Model 2). The results suggest that the collection and analysis of traces does not necessarily predict the resolution of the case. Specifically, the analyses show that the collection and analysis of traces is useful for crime solving when: (1) the offenders' behaviors increase the opportunities for leaving traces at the crime scene, and (2) when the environmental and temporal aspects are favorable to the collection of traces. The impact of trace collection and analysis on case resolution is thus depending on the context of the case. Furthermore, the subsequent steps, such as the result of the trace analysis, the introduction into a database, the obtention of a result from this comparison, etc. might also affect case resolution, and thus interfere in the link between trace collection and analysis and case resolution.

Exploring the impact of population density on journey‐to‐crime in cases of stranger sexual assault and stranger homicide

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to further understanding of how environmental factors impact on the distance an offender travels from their home to their crime scene ‐ the so called ‘journey‐to‐crime’ (JTC.). Currently, Geographic Profilers rely on relatively generic JTC research to form inferences about the likely distance travelled by an offender, and may be missing the opportunity to make a more bespoke assessment which takes these factors into account. 1186 cases of female stranger sexual assault (Study 1) and 124 cases of stranger homicide (Study 2) were analysed. Euclidean measurement of distance was provided from the offender's recorded home to 3 crime site locations: (1) the initial contact with victim, (2) the assault/murder, and (3) the victim release/body disposal. Each crime site location was coded according to: (a) population density and (b) urban or rural. Initial analysis examined the median distance travelled from an offender's residence to the three different crime site locations. Significant findings for stranger sexual assaults indicated that the initial contact location was significantly further from an offender's residence compared to the sexual assault and victim release location. This was not replicated for stranger homicide offences. Both sexual assault and homicide cases revealed that the distance travelled to the ‘initial approach’ location did not differ according to population density, or whether the location was urban or rural. Regarding ‘sexual assault’ locations, offenders were found to travel significantly further from their home to attack their victim in low population density and rural areas. Results showed that both sexual assault and homicide offenders travelled significantly further from their home to the ‘victim release/body disposal’ site in low population density areas and rural areas. These findings have important, practical applications for investigations, allowing Geographic Profilers to provide more bespoke inferences about an offender's journey to crime.

REVIEW ON CYANIDE POISONING

Cyanide is one of the most lethal poison. It leads to death within a few minutes to a few hours sometimes. Depending upon the dose and route of administration or exposure the symptoms develop. The area of exposure is manufacturing and industrial sources such as insecticides, photographic solution, fumigation and electroplating work, plastic manufacturing and jewelry cleaners etc. History shows the common use of cyanide poisoning in suicidal and homicidal cases and also use as chemical warfare agent for terrorist attack. Incidence of cyanide poisoning is rare but the occurrence of death is seen instant in some cases. It causes histotoxic anoxia and inhibits oxidative phosphorylation, a process where oxygen is utilized for the production of essential cellular energy sources in the form of ATP. It does so by binds to the enzyme cytochrome C oxidase and blocks mitochondrial transport chain. This results in cellular hypoxia and the depletion of ATP occur, leading to metabolic acidosis. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vertigo, spasmodic closure of jaw and clawing of hands, tonic type of convulsions of the limb and trunk, muscular weakness and flaccidity, muscular paralysis, intense cyanosis, hypertension followed by hypotension, coma etc leads to death. Death is mainly due to cardiovascular failure and respiratory failure. Thus, rapid treatment to be started in such patients. The 100 % oxygen support and rapid therapy of antidotal treatment is necessary for life saving. Very efficient antidote is Hydroxocobalamin and other antidotes are also important in cyanide poisoning in the treatment as life saver. Survivors of cyanide poisoning may develop neuropathies.

A Retrospective Look on the Use of DNA Evidence in a Sexual Assault Investigation in the Philippines

In 1998, biological samples were collected from the body of a 17-year old female rape-homicide victim within 24 hours post-contact. In the absence of a sexual assault investigation kit, locally available medical supplies were used to collect biological samples. The victim’s family filed a case naming the victim’s uncle as the assailant. More than a year into the trial, samples from the victim and the accused were tested for DNA. The vaginal smears yielded DNA profiles originating from at least two persons, with one DNA source being male. Upon discovery, the victim’s age, the state of her body, and medicolegal examination results supported the allegation of sexual assault rather than consensual sex. This paper described the DNA testing conducted for this rape with homicide case. The prosecution used the DNA test results to support the charges against the accused, who was eventually convicted and sentenced to death in 2001. Upon automatic review in 2004, the Philippine Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and dismissed the defense’s claim that DNA testing violated the defendant’s right against self-incrimination. The defendant’s death conviction was commuted to life imprisonment when the Death Penalty was suspended via Republic Act No. 9346 in 2006. The case described here is considered one of the DNA landmark cases cited in the Philippine Rule on DNA Evidence of 2007.

Challenge to forensic podiatry crime scene report: Footprint-based gait analysis in homicide case revealed the perpetrator as the deceased victim's wife who was also the complainant

To identify the offender and unravel the mystery, physical evidence must be found at the crime scenes. When it is first taken from crime scenes, the relevance of some pieces of evidence is unclear or seems inconsequential, but as the investigation goes on, it seems to gain significance. Although footprints are a common physical indicator of a crime, including homicide, burglary, and sexual assault, they are frequently overlooked or dismissed as inconsequential during the early stages of an investigation. Currently, individual identification is done through gait pattern analysis based on footprints. A branch of forensic science known as forensic podiatry examines foot-related evidence in the course of a criminal investigation using specific podiatric knowledge, including the foot and lower limb. Analysis of footprints and gait is most consistent with other pattern-based forms of evidence, such as blood pattern analysis. Most cases of homicide and burglary involve the gait pattern evidence. Additionally, detectives frequently disregard crime scenes due to their familiarity. Science in podiatry is lacking. The current crime scene report, which was researched by the corresponding author (Prof. T. Nataraja Moorthy, henceforth referred to as "TN") in India, highlighted the importance of footprint and gait pattern evidence in a distinctive homicide crime scene. In India, a woman reported her husband's murder to the police, but a footprint-based gait pattern analysis proved she was the murderer, not the unidentified assailant. She committed murder while hiding the crime, which is known as "crime concealment".

Women accused of killing with others: Experiences of the Scottish criminal justice system

AbstractThis article examines homicide cases in which women have been accused of killing alongside another person or persons – an area which until now has not been examined in a Scottish context. The findings presented demonstrate that being accused of killing with another person or persons can have particularly adverse effects for women: claims of domestic abuse are more likely to be rejected and ultimately, existing tendencies to construct women as deviant within the criminal justice system will be exacerbated, resulting in more severe punishment when they are convicted under the doctrine of art and part liability. It is concluded that closer attention must be paid to the criminalisation of women who are accused of offending alongside another person or persons, particularly in Scotland where less attention has been paid to how doctrines of derivative liability operate in practice.

POLICING FORENSIC EVIDENCE

POLICING FORENSIC EVIDENCE