Sexual homicide, Traces, Crime solving, Neural network analysis, Criminal investigation. The crime scene is the starting point of any traditional criminal investigation Crispino, ; De Forest, ; Martin et al. The crime scene and the traces left are especially crucial in cases of sexual homicide as both are necessary to identify them as such. Important pitfalls impede the investigation of sexual homicide. More specifically, accumulating knowledge that can inform effective investigative practices has been problematic, as many investigators cannot rely upon investigative experience to approach these crimes.
In addition, while the behavioral elements of sexual homicide crimes differ from other types of violent crime, they are still an inherently heterogenous group. Each case may vary in terms of the modus operandi and ritualistic behavior exhibited, causing each case to appear unique.
The differential characteristics as well as the possible presence of psychopathology, which may be identified through a careful study of the crime scene, may appear atypical for the detective involved in such a case for the first time. Due to these various investigative challenges, traces are critical to the criminal investigation and its outcome. 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.
The use of traces in a criminal investigation follows a three-step decision process Bitzer et al. The gradational flow of this process limits the impact traces can have on the course of investigation, as well as on the resolution of the case.
For example, traces left at a crime scene that is not attended by the police and therefore not investigated, cannot be used in the later stages of the judicial process. However, the investigation is active in its nature, and its outcome depends on what one is looking for. At best, the search for traces results in their detection, which implies the crucial capability of recognizing traces as such.
