NCJ Number
113668
Date Published
1989
Length
101 pages
Annotation
Based on the cases of five notorious serial murderers -- Larry Eyler, Wayne Williams, John Gacy, Juan Corona, and Theodore Bundy -- this study identifies common investigative factors and trends raised on appeal in these cases so as to improve police investigative techniques in serial murder cases.
Abstract
The format for analyzing each case consists of the facts of the case, issues on appeal, and the final appellate court's conclusion and reasoning. The discussion of the implications of these cases for police investigations notes that the five cases reveal two types of investigations: those that formed a task force to review continuing murder cases and to coordinate multiple investigations when the perpetrator was not known and those that organized a task force after the murderer was identified and many bodies discovered in a central location. Other implications for police investigations pertain to murders of opportunity, living witnesses, mobile killers, apprehension, physical evidence, and interviews. The concluding chapter outlines procedures for investigators in serial murder cases as well as the legal issues raised on appeal. The discussion of investigative procedures focuses on technique, trial preparation, and trial testimony. Consideration of legal issues raised on appeal addresses police conduct in interviewing witnesses, initial police confrontation of the suspect, and the search of the suspect's property. Appended comparative profiles of homicides attributed to Wayne Williams, 12 references.