Types of Homicide

Homicide is defined as the murder of a human being by another human being. All homicides are not criminal. The difference between homicide and suicide is the fact that homicide is a killing or murder that one person performs too another person and suicide is a person who kills or murders their self.

The main types of homicide are deliberate homicide, excusable homicide, and justifiable homicide. Deliberate homicide is homicide caused purposely with full knowledge. Excusable homicide is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act. Justifiable homicide is a case of homicide that is deliberate but lawful. Other types of homicides are criminal, felonious, negligent, reckless, and vehicular.

Basic Techniques for Detective and Evidence Technician to investigate homicide include:

1. Final exit at the scene

2. Check for finger prints

3. Check for weapon and weapon ballistics

4. Check for lose items, such as notebooks and newspaper clippings

5. Use Computer aided design (CAD) drawings

6. Find identifiers and Modus Operindi

Basic techniques Forensic Pathologist and Forensic Anthropologist to investigate homicide include:

1. Identifying the victim

2. Estimate time of death

3. Establish the cause of death

4. Collect physical biological evidence

A body can provide evidence for an investigator by admitting the Forensics Team to find basic information such as date of death, time of death, place death occurred, and Identification of the body or remains.

Searching for detailed evidence is a full time job for investigators; they must first be able to find the correct evidence needed for the homicide case. The Evidence Technicians document, photograph and catalog all crime scene evidence. After all evidence is documented, tagged, and stored the case file is then sent to the Lead Detective or Head Detective for further review.

References

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

National Institute of Justice

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