Staged Crime Scenes - Literature and Types

Abstract

Many things can hamper an investigation. For example, the crime may be a truly random occurrence without links between the victim and the offender, evidence may not be acknowledged or properly collected, and the crime type itself may influence solvability. In other cases still, offenders actively seek to hamper the police investigation in an effort to avoid being caught and going to prison. In fact, the literature on homicide notes that it is not uncommon in many cases of this type for the offender to engage in precautionary acts (Turvey, 2007). According to the criminological literature, precautionary acts (Turvey, 2008, p. 212): "...are behaviors that offenders commit before, during or after an offense that are consciously intended to confuse, hamper, or defeat investigative or forensic efforts for the purposes of concealing their identity, their connection to the crime, or the crime itself." A few examples include using a mask, clothing, or disguise to conceal physical features of the offender; using a secluded or less traveled location for the offense; using gloves to prevent the transfer of fingerprints or biological fluids; staging the crime scene; and so on (Turvey, 2008). This chapter details a particular type of precautionary act called staging and will introduce readers to this arena of evidence manipulation that may be employed by offenders to thwart investigative efforts. First, the definitions of crime scene staging will be discussed, followed by staging as it relates to its broader counterpart: deception. Why we lie and how staging is a physical manifestation of deceit will be addressed. Following that, the literature surrounding simulated scenes, will be reviewed, with reference to both criminal and death investigations. Finally, a discussion of the author's research into staged scenes will be briefly reviewed, the difference between behaviors carried out at staged legitimate deaths versus illegitimate deaths explained, and case examples given.