1st Edition

Criminal Dismemberment Forensic and Investigative Analysis

    224 Pages
    by CRC Press

    224 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Criminal Dismemberment is the first book to examine dismemberment as a phenomenon in the context of criminal acts. While the number of such dismemberment cases in any given country is often small, the notion of dismemberment captures the imagination, often leading many to question the motivations as to why anyone would perpetrate such an unnatural act.



    The act of dismemberment, in its original form, referred to cutting, tearing, pulling, wrenching or otherwise separating the limbs from a living being as a form a capital punishment. In today’s society, it has become associated most frequently with the criminal act of sectioning the remains of the dead in an attempt to conceal the death and dispose of the remains or make the process of identification of the deceased more difficult to achieve.





    Drawing on expertise from leading forensic anthropologists, pathologists, and forensic materials engineers, the book brings together much of the literature on criminal dismemberment—viewing it from the investigative, forensic, and social science perspectives. Key features include:









    • Psychological analysis of the perpetrator






    • Detailed examination of case studies, anonymized from recent investigations






    • Difficulties encountered in a dismemberment investigation






    • Tool mark analysis, including knives and saws, accompanied by over 120 detailed, full-color illustrations and photographs






    • Serves as a unique and useful resource in the investigation of dismembered human remains






    The diverse backgrounds of the contributors offers a thorough account of such topics as the history of dismemberment, the forensic pathology in such cases, the importance of developing a common vocabulary in terminology used, the legal admissibility in dismemberment cases. As such, Criminal Dismemberment will serve as a comprehensive reference for students and practitioners alike.

    Preface





    Chapter One: Introduction to Criminal Human Dismemberment





    Sue Black, Guy Rutty, Sarah Hainsworth and Grant Thomson





    Chapter Two: Dismemberment: An Historical Perspective





    Shane McCorristine





    Chapter Three: Psychology and Dismemberment





    David Holmes





    Chapter Four: Mr Adam Vincent, Humberside Police





    Mark Oliver





    Chapter Five: Miss Gemma McCluskie, Metropolitan Police Service





    John Nicholson





    Chapter Six: Terminology





    Sue Black and Grant Thomson





    Chapter Seven: Principles of Tool Mark Analysis and Evidential Best Practice





    Grant Thomson and Sue Black





    Chapter Eight: Overview of the Examination of a Dismembered Body





    Guy Rutty and Bruno Morgan





    Chapter Nine: The Role of Forensic Anthropology in Cases of Dismemberment





    Lucina Hackman and Sue Black





    Chapter Ten: Identification Marks – Saws





    S. V. Hainsworth





    Chapter Eleven: Identification Marks – Knives and Other Implements





    S. V. Hainsworth





    Chapter Twelve: Future Research in the Analysis of Criminal Dismemberment





    S. Black, N. Nic Daéid, L. Hackman and G. Thomson





    Appendix 1: Additional Investigative Resources





    S. Baylis and G. S. Thomson





    Appendix 2: Known Cases of Criminal Dismemberment in the UK Since 1985





    Sue Black

    Biography

    Professor Dame Sue Black is a Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology, the Director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and the Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee, UK.



    Professor Guy Rutty is a Home Office registered Forensic Pathologist and is the vicechair of the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, University of Leicester, UK.



    Professor Sarah Hainsworth is a Professor of Materials and Forensic Engineering, University of Leicester, UK.



    Mr. Grant Thomson is a former Scenes of Crime Officer and Crime Scene Manager. He is currently a senior trainer and consultant in capacity building within fragile and conflict affected states.