Korean J Leg Med.  2018 May;42(2):44-55. 10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.2.44.

Forensic Application of Behavioral Evidence Analysis

• Kim YS

• KMID: 2412860
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.2.44

Abstract

Criminal profiling of violent, serial crimes plays a critical role in police work worldwide. However, its performance in Korea remains a topic of debate and has been deemed unsatisfactory; empirical studies on the behavioral characteristics of murderers are extremely scarce. This work analyzes some murder or suspicious death cases using autopsy, ruling, and public media reports, where available, as well as literature reviews. The findings are expected to raise research interest in the field of behavioral evidence analysis and encourage researchers to analyze murder cases with consideration for wound interpretation and case reconstruction. The basic concept of behavioral evidence analysis is that different patterns of offending actions will reflect differences in the personality traits or motives of offenders. The analysis of offending behaviors and witness or suspect statements can be a useful investigative tool for solving violent crimes. This paper presents a description of the case history, autopsy findings, and psychological connotations for eight murder or suspicious death cases, including serial killing, in the context of behavioral evidence analysis.

Keyword

Criminal profiling; Motivation; Autopsy; Reconstruction; Wound interpretation

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Crime
Criminals
Homicide
Humans
Korea
Motivation
Police
Wounds and Injuries

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Position of the victim at the scene.

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  Fig. 2. (A) Stab wounds on the victim’s torso. The stab on the left hand is the same as that in the lower abdomen. (B) The stab on the right chest induced a fatal injury, penetrating to the heart and left lung.

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  Fig. 3. (A) Semicircular laceration on the scalp of the victim. (B) The margin of the skull fracture shows stepped depression.

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  Fig. 4. Sharp force injury on the right middle finger (A) and left side of the neck (B).

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  Fig. 5. Linear scalp laceration with comminuted skull fracture and exposure of ruptured brain.

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  Fig. 6. Multiple stab wounds around the right shoulder and a stab on the right cheek of the victim.

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  Fig. 7. Several pieces of banknote weighed down by a stone (inset: magnification of banknote).

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  Fig. 8. An entrance wound on the abdomen by shotgun.

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  Fig. 9. Two shotguns in the rear seat area of a vehicle.

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  Fig. 10. A reconstruction of a car crash based on police report.

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