Method of identification: Catching serial killers.

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Forensic Science
• Criminal Justice

Background:

• Violent crime, including serial homicide, has decreased in recent decades.
• Despite this trend, research on serial homicide investigation methods remains limited.
• Understanding these methods is crucial for effective law enforcement strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the timeline and methods used in serial homicide investigations.
• To identify the most effective law enforcement techniques for apprehending serial killers.
• To analyze trends in investigation methods over time.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 671 serial homicide investigations.
• Identification and categorization of 22 distinct investigative methods.
• Examination of temporal trends in method usage across decades.

Main Results:

• The most frequent investigative methods included: surviving victim accounts, DNA evidence, information from associates/family/friends, fingerprints, prior offending history, body discovery location (home), and unrelated arrests.
• Significant variation in methods was observed over time.
• Specific trends in the application of different investigative techniques were identified across decades.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive overview of serial homicide investigation techniques.
• Findings highlight the evolving nature of law enforcement's approach to serial killer investigations.
• The research offers valuable insights for improving future investigations and case clearance rates.