Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques

Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations

by Vernon J. Geberth

Renowned for being "THE "definitive resource for homicide investigators, Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques" "details the recognized protocols used by investigative divisions of major police departments throughout the world. The text is used in most police academies, including the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Now in its fifth edition, the book begins with a comprehensive discussion of homicide crime scenes and moves chronologically from initial police notification, the correct police response that follows, and the subsequent steps necessary to conduct an intelligent investigation. It then delves into the more technical aspects of homicide investigation, augmented with numerous pictures and full-color illustrations that involve pertinent case histories.
This latest edition includes three new chapters along with fully revised chapters with new case histories and techniques that reflect the latest forensic methods and modern investigative procedures.
Highlights of the Fifth Edition Include:


Newly revised "Homicide Investigator s Checklist" A new chapter on the latest DNA technology A rewritten chapter on equivocal death investigations that includes staged crime scenes Additional information on modes of death Fully updated chapters on death notifications, sex-related homicide, management for police administrators, suicide investigation, and narcotics-related and homosexually based homicides Over 920 photos and illustrations, 250 new photographs, and several new case histories
Eminent author, lecturer, consultant, and expert witness Vernon J. Geberth incorporates his more than four and a half decades of real-world law enforcement experience in this quintessential reference. This classic and must-have resource provides the most vital information needed by detectives and police investigators responsible for cases in violent and sudden death.

Remember: do it right the first time. You only get one chance.
Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S., Homicide and Forensic Consultant, Author of Practical Homicide Investigation, and Series Editor of The Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations"

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Psychology, Research, Reference, Law

1296 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 1982

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the the third edition of this book for fun before I even decided to go back for my Criminal Justice/Biology degree. I kept it so long that I thought the EMU Library was going to send someone to break my legs.

The fourth edition is much improved, with mostly color photos,and updated science and psychology.

Especially interesting is the chapter on homosexual homicide. The purpose of the chapter is to educate the straight, uninformed police officer about gay culture, so that he or she can tell when something is amiss. This brings to mind the horrible misunderstanding that lead to the one of Jeffrey Dahmer's victims. The officers who were called to the scene were unfamiliar and uncomfortable dealing with a gay "lover's spat," and therefore just let Dahmer take his "drunk" "lover" back to his apartment, where he was murdered minutes later.

You should read this book if you want to know how real detective work is done.

The photos are quite disturbing.

[DeAnna Knippling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warning, which is not something I usually do: I strongly recommend that if you have *any* suicidal ideation that you avoid this book. This book contains hundreds of graphic images of actual deaths, and lots that I won't forget in a hurry.

A thorough training manual for real-life homicide police detectives, from crime scene to management techniques, over a thousand pages (in the latest edition) of the crushing weight of investigating one homicide after another. I'm reading it for research as a writer; I have not found any other resource that goes into this much depth or provides such a roadmap for further research.

Again, please be careful before picking this up. I am carefully not describing how bad this gets. But I do recommend for wrters who feel safe doing the research.

[Ken Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every detective should read this book, regardless if you are investigating homicides or thefts. This book causes investigators to think through the logical steps of an investigation so much that the practical principles become routine in the investigator's life.

[Kev Hosford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent but outdated introduction to the understandings of a crime scene from a practical perspective.

[Ciara Eichhorst · Rating 2 out of 5]

How many times can a person write “in my opinion” in a textbook?

[Serenity Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

This book is well written, it gives you great insight on how investigations work. Also the fact that the author input his personal experience made it a great book.

[Allison]

A book you will want to lock up. It’s a very good book, but contains lots of EXTREMELY GRAPHIC photos.

[T.L. Bahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was open for most of the year. This edition was published in 1983, which helped greatly with my debut novel, set in the late 80s.

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. If you're wondering what happens to a fella's head after shooting himself through the mouth with a rifle, here's the book for you. The wealth of descriptions of procedures and techniques are great for crime/mystery/thriller writers, and the multitude of full-color photos will help with descriptions of victims.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only book I wish I could ' unread ' somehow ~

[Marty Overly · Rating 5 out of 5]

extremely informative and well written with many checklists and bulleted sections. Very good crime scene photos.

[Amar Pai]

This book has gruesome pictures in it. Ugh. What was I thinking

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know (and many things you would rather not see!!) concerning death investigation.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for Criminal Justice/Forensic Science students. Very thorough. Actual case histories (with explicit photographs) for real-life, practical, death scene investigation.

[May McGoldrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent procedural guide for any mystery/suspense writer. This book is never more than an arm's length from my computer.

[Zach Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the BIBLE of homicide investiagations. This manual is a must for any cop, patrol traffic or detective it doesn't matter. Nothing compares with this manual for clear cut no nonsense cop speak.

[Seth Augenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible collection of knowledge, and a meditation on order combating chaos. Not for the faint of heart. But it has a literary value to its technique and philosophy.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "bible" of homicide investigations. Very good reference; a "must read."