NCJ Number
128006
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses criminal investigation of crimes associated with satanic, occult, and ritualistic practices from the perspective of the police investigator. It emphasizes the nature of the crime and not the belief system of the perpetrator.
Abstract
In the investigation of these types of crimes, the police officer should not overlook or discount the significance of satanic beliefs, symbols, and paraphernalia. Characteristics of satanic-related crime are listed together with definitions of various signs, symbols, and paraphernalia used by Satan worshippers. The crime scene should be handled as any other crime scene investigation including collection and preservation of evidence such as colors, dates, inverted crosses, goat's head, or backward writing as well as inverted pentagram, candles, chalices, and book of shadows. However a distinction needs to be made from the African/Caribbean religious cults and from bizarre lust murders and related sex crimes using ritualistic practices. Police investigators need to maintain their objectivity in the presence of such unusual circumstances and follow traditional police investigative procedures. 1 reference