Staged body disposal sites and homicide: Investigating the multivariate approach of a serial killer

Abstract

Whilst crime scene staging in homicide, as an attempt to avoid detection, has attracted some scholarly attention in recent years, staging a body disposal site has not been similarly scrutinised. Indeed, whilst some statistical studies note moving a homicide victim's body as a distinct crime scene behaviour, there is little discussion or analysis of body disposal sites generally. This case seeks to illustrate how a body disposal site may be staged-in three different formsand to supplement existing quantitative data on offender behaviours undertaken to avoid detection. In so doing, a new category of staging is proposed: staging a body disposal site.