Getting the Perpetrator Incorporated and Prioritized in Homicide Investigations: The Development and Evaluation of a...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Criminal Justice
• Information Science

Background:

• Digital era presents challenges for homicide investigations due to massive data volumes.
• Processing all persons of interest and evidence is becoming increasingly difficult for investigators.
• Existing methodologies may not adequately address the prioritization needs in complex cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a case-specific element library (C-SEL) for prioritizing persons of interest in homicide investigations.
• To provide a structured approach for incorporating and scoring investigative elements.
• To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of digital homicide investigations.

Main Methods:

• Development of a case-specific element library (C-SEL).
• Survey of 107 criminal investigation experts to assign initial scores to elements.
• Incorporation of underlying factors to adjust scores based on relevance and credibility.
• Evaluation of the C-SEL methodology using a case study of three real-world Dutch homicide cases.

Main Results:

• The C-SEL methodology was evaluated through a case study involving three real-world homicide investigations.
• Expert scoring and factor-based adjustments provided a refined prioritization of persons of interest.
• The developed C-SEL approach demonstrated promising results in case study evaluations.
• Performance of the C-SEL methodology was found to be superior to four existing investigative methods.

Conclusions:

• The case-specific element library (C-SEL) offers a promising solution for prioritizing persons of interest in digital homicide investigations.
• The methodology provides a structured and adaptable framework for managing large datasets and investigative leads.
• The C-SEL approach shows potential for improving the efficiency and accuracy of criminal investigations compared to current practices.