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Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives

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Vernon Geberth has provided law enforcement with another major contribution with his book "Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation-Practical and Clinical Perspectives." The text is specific to death investigation, up to date, state of the art, accurate and easy to read. Although the material is oriented towards the serious homicide investigator it is valuable to all police personnel (uniformed and non-uniformed), because of its valuable insight into crime scene investigation and preservation by the initial responding officers as well as its contribution to in enhancing any officer who wishes to advance thru the ranks.

In addition to providing valuable insight to the initial responding officers in the preservation of the crime scene it provides knowledge to ancillary police personnel as they may be called upon to assist the chief crime scene investigator.

The case material is reflective of Geberth's remarkable insight into aberrant human behavior and the significance of such concepts as linkage and "linkage blindness" in investigative protocol. The concepts of "signature" and profiling are expanded and built on sound psychological principals. The assessment of psychopathy and sociopathic personality represents the latest understanding of both psychological and law enforcement perspectives.

The section on child related homicide is especially timely and one of the most comprehensive presentations I have seen anywhere. In each section the author has integrated behavioral aspects with a contemporary analysis of state of the art criminal forensic techniques. He has consulted the major contributors to each subject allowing the reader a comprehensive view of the work of leaders in the fields of both law enforcement and psychology.

There are so many seemingly subtle and direct admonitions and directives that one has to read this book thoroughly to realize how thoroughly researched the material is. Properly studied, this volume will not only keep the homicide investigator out of trouble but will enhance his investigative ability enormously contributing to outcomes.

The specific suggestions for interrogation have proven their value over time in countless cases. For example, setting personal feelings aside and allowing the suspect to develop his subterfuge and perception of being "smarter" than the police has proven enormously effective in case after case.

The chapter on crime scene investigation is the best I have seen in the forensic literature, being clearly written, concise, contemporary and comprehensive. This chapter alone is worth the purchase of the book.

As a former biochemist I found the chapter on DNA well researched and very practical. The newest techniques for utilizing DNA are expanded and discussed along with the historical development of this remarkable forensic technique. The author demonstrates how DNA is the most important advance in law enforcement since fingerprinting and the text comes alive with his enthusiasm and practical sense of application. The reader is transported to the crime scene where the complex mysteries become commonplace.

The "hard science," techniques of preserving and analyzing evidence and administrative procedures are interwoven with the behavioral aspects of a large assortment of crimes. This allows the reader to gain an understanding for a solid foundation to prosecute especially with regard to crime scene linkage and signature.

The thought processes of a serial rapist or killer are just one example of how the author
integrates material from various sources including the updated concepts of criminal behavioral profiling and its associated psychodynamics, signature and "MO," with the issues of control, dominance and sadism.

Throughout the book there are references to recent Supreme Court decisions regarding issues associated with search warrants and the involuntary confinement of sexually violent predators, as well as legal defense tactics in use, all of which compliment the investigating officer's repertoire of knowledge.

This book took courage to write and the author does not mince words or principles! This volume is a must for every homicide detective and should be studied daily. "Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation" is the most comprehensive and up to date text regarding sexual death investigation that I have come across in the forensic and psychiatric literature. This book is a gift to the law enforcement community and a contribution of historical importance.

Ronald Turco, M.D.
Past President-The American Academy of Psychoanalysis (New York, NY)
Past president-The Society of Psychoanalytic Physicians (Washington D.C.)
Reserve Police Officer-Beaverton, Oregon Police Department (25 years)

Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation is a must read for every profiler, homicide and sex crimes detective, social worker, prosecutor, researcher, and student of sexual homicide. With both formal education and a wealth of experience, Vernon Geberth delivers an easy to read, straight-forward look into the minds of sexual killers. The book delves not only into the psyche of these offenders but also addresses how to catch them. Horrific case after horrific case is presented to demonstrate how these killers gain access to their victims, why they do it, and how police can successfully investigate. In addition, Geberth addresses the wider problem of how a lack of personal responsbility in this society permits the type of narcissistic and psychopathic behavior displayed by sexual murderers. Everyone serious about examining sex-related homicides should read and re-read this excellent book.

Vernon Geberth did not just write a book entitled SEX RELATED HOMICIDE AND DEATH INVESTIGATION: PRACTICAL AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES. He has created a portable, hand held training simulator for the response to and investigation of the sex-related homicide.
As the reader makes his way through each chapter,you are hit with the same initial shock and revulsion of a sex-related homicide scene. By providing the reader with dozens of photos, analysis, techniques and checklists, Geberth brings you as close to a real time crime scene as possible.In creating this atmosphere Vernon prepares the reader, whether cop or prosecutor, when called upon to investigate the sex related homicide, to professionally deal with the depravity and inhumanity of this evil act and to maintain your professional objective and in so doing focus your efforts toward the only goal that matters "...to see that justice is done not only for the deceased but for the surviving family as well."

Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives is state of the art.

The key word in the title of Vernon's book is "Practical", as it is the key in his first book, Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques, and in his Practical Homicide Investigation Seminars. Vernon has combined his years of experience, training and research to present the reader with an integrated text to use in sex-related death investigations. From the case presentations and underlying methodologies to the reference lists for crime scenes and investigative follow-up, this book is an investigative aid that you will want to add to your crime scene kit. While the book looks great on your office shelf, its real value will shine in the trenches of the death scenes that you work.

To solve murders, both traditional and bizarre, investigators look for the motives behind the crimes. We all know that sex is a dominant motive driving many of the murders that we investigate. The first two chapters of the book familiarize the reader with the investigative significance of sexual deviance and remind us not to let our logic impede our comprehension of the perp's logic that is driving the perpetrator during a murder. Vernon then takes us to the crime scenes of numerous examples of sexually-motivated deaths and, with the expertise that only a murder cop who has investigated and consulted on 8,000+ cases can do, explains the cases and the vital investigative strategies used to resolve the cases. Hopefully you will never be called to the scene of a homicide committed by a psychopathic sexual sadist such as David Ray in Chapter 12 or Bittaker and Norris depicted in Chapter 14. If you are called to such a scene and you have prepared yourself with Vernon's book, you will recognize what you are facing and what you need to do to resolve the case.

It is hard to pick a favorite chapter when all of the information is so crucial, but Chapter 13, Investigative Analysis: Criminal Personality Profiling and the Signature Aspect, is a very enlightening view of the concept. As Vernon points out, detectives and criminal investigators routinely employ these techniques in their investigation of violent crime on a case-by-case basis. The explanation, suggested application and the cases presented in Chapter 13 illustrate that the most effective homicide investigators are the ones who supplement their experiences with knowledge, flexibility and commom sense.

Vernon's compassion for resolving murder caes continues to shine in this latest book, his gift to the men and women entrusted with the responsibility of investigating death cases. I highly recommend it to all professionals involved in the investigation and prosecution of homicide cases. His passion for his work inspires me to approach every case with the conviction and goal to find the truth and see that justice is done. With God's help, Vernon's guidance and our own commitment, we can make sure that the victims of violent death have a champion in their corner.

Larry Thomas, Assistant Director, Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Vernon Geberth has done it again with his definitive tome Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives Second Edition which addresses violent sexual assault investigations and has expanded this benchmark text to new levels.

The Second Edition of this comprehensive volume is an incredible compilation that adds yet more information and exhausts the subject. New information includes completely revised chapters on Human Sexuality, Sexual Deviance and the Significance of Fantasy in sex related events. The Second Edition also features revised chapters on Criminal Personality Profiling and an analysis of the Signature Aspect of specific crimes. Newly featured case histories include the infamous 30-year BTK investigation.

Vern's remarkable experience and unmatched expertise have given him unparalleled insight into the investigation of sexually deviant crimes and the psyche of those who perpetrate violent sex related crimes. This book is a must read for every prosecutor and investigator who hopes to gain some insight into the hows and whys of these horrific crimes as well as practical advice as to how to approach these investigations and prosecutions.

I'm grateful that the law enforcement community now has this book as a resource to help explain these deviant crimes and as always I'm grateful that Vern continues his vigilant watch against the "forces of darkness." I'm glad that he's on my team working for God.

Donna Pendergast, First Assistant Attorney General-Criminal Division
Michigan Department of Attorney General

"Vernon J. Geberth's new investigative text, Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation, will be a tremendous asset to investigators and prosecutors of sexual predators. His methodical approach to case analysis, augmented with vivid crime scene photographs, documents the step by step investigative procedure used in solving numerous sexually motivated murders. Detective Commander Geberth also provides the reader with his unique in-depth insight into the psychological motivation of the sexual deviant, explaining why the killer has a need to dominate, manipulate, degrade and torture victims."
"This book should be a mandatory reference work, not only for prosecutors and homicide detectives, but also for juvenile and general sex crimes investigators. The information provided describing the motivation and abnormal evolution of these sadistic killers will greatly assist in identifying and questioning homicide suspects and sexual offenders of all ages and stages of development."
Raymond M. Pierce
Detective 1st Grade (Ret.)
NYCPD Criminal Profiler

Vernon Geberths Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation is by far the most detailed and informative resource a homicide and sex crimes investigator could wish for. The quality of this work reflects the high professional standards set by Geberth with his Practical Homicide Investigation series. There are other textbooks available, but only Geberth has earned the level of respect and admiration of homicide investigators around the world that his works are referred to as the bible of homicide investigations.

Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation clearly demonstrates Geberths talent for translating the most horrific crimes imaginable into an accurately documented and easily understood resource for those involved in the investigation of violent crimes.

If I can't have Geberth himself standing next to me at a crime scene, at least I know that his works will never be more than an arms reach away.

Vernon Geberth has written a "new testament" to the Bible of homicide investigation. The literature in this area has been sparse and difficult to locate at best. In this book Vernon draws together many varied disciplines to make a complete resource and refernece book for investigators and prosecutors.

Several experienced prosecutors in our Violent Crimes Division have reveiwed this book. All have been impressed with its content but more importantly they have been impressed with the context. The way the material is presented and the information woven through the various disciplines has shed new light on the subjects and has presented new ways to prosecute and investigate these cases.

As the prosecutor in the David Parker Ray case, featured in Chapter 12, I wish I had had this book before that case borke in 1999. Had I been so fortunate we, prosecutors and investigators, would have saved ourselves hundreds of man-hours in research, evaluation and investigative time. Our investigation and prosecution would have been more focused and directed from the outset. All of us would have had a better understanding of this type of crime and what was going to be needed to see the case through to a successful conclusion. As opposed to trying to re-invent the wheel in a type of case we had never encountered, we could have followed the road map set out in this book.

It is unfortunate that cases like this are occurring with more and more frequency. However, we now have a resource and reference book to draw upon when we encounter these monsters in our jurisdiction. Vernon's new investigative text, Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, draws together countless sources from the literature and investigative files into one authoritative source. This book is a "MUST HAVE" (not just a "must read") for any detective or prosecutor who deals with these types of cases. As a former police officer and current Assistant District Attorney with over thirty years in law enforcement, I cannot strees too much the importance of this book, especailly when combined with Vernon's "Bible" of homicide investigation, Practical Homicide Investigation.

REVIEW OF 2nd Edition:

Lt. Commander Vernon J. Geberth's "Sex Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives" SECOND EDITION remains the only source combining clinical evaluation with case studies, practical experience and a 21st century approach to dealing with such cases.

The first edition is not out of date. But the second edition provides more refined analysis and additional insight into case studies that could only have been garnered over time. This too is not a book that sits on the shelf. Rather it has a place on my desk for ready reference on a daily basis. Whether you serve as an officer on the front lines, a detective or prosecuting attorney "Sex Related Homicide and Death Investigation" is a "MUST HAVE" book.

In today's legal setting one mistake can make the difference between success and failure in the courtroom. Following Commander Geberth's approach to evaluating and investigating these crimes will save hours of "re-inventing the wheel" and prevent fatal errors from cropping into your investigation. This treatise provides prosecuting attorneys with an understanding of one of the most complex crimes they can ever prosecute.

As a police officer for eight years and a prosecuting attorney for the past 26 years, I have never come across a more insightful, job related book. We all know that "We work for God", this book is THE guide on how to get the work done.


Jim Yontz
Deputy District Attoreny
18th District Attorney's Office
Centennial, Colorado 80111

Sex Related Homicide and Death Investigation:
Practical and Clinical Perspectives
Second Edition
Thomas E. Nye, Major (Ret.) Warwick, RI Police Department


Vernon Geberth has dedicated his career to seeking justice for the victims of homicide and their surviving families. He has spent his law enforcement career on the front lines as a uniformed first responder, an investigator, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Since his retirement he has continued his crusade for justice by utilizing his abilities assisting law enforcement professionals by providing his expertise and knowledge as an author through his textbooks, as an educator through his training programs, and as a consultant to numerous law enforcement agencies. His experiences and continuous research into criminal behavior and sex related crimes has established his credentials as an expert in death and homicide investigations, as well as sex related crimes.

As a past homicide investigator, Major Crimes Unit Supervisor, and a Detective Division Commander I have the greatest respect for Mr. Geberth's contributions to law enforcement through his text book series. "Practical Homicide, Tactics, Techniques, First through Fourth editions and Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, First Edition have all assisted myself and my investigators in the pursuit of justice and provided that expert guidance and critical tools necessary to construct a solid foundation of evidence and case facts to secure successful prosecutions for the victims and families. This new textbook, "Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, Second Edition has certainly become the most advanced nationally accepted guideline and standard of practice for law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, and medical professionals that are simple yet practical procedures to assist us in performing death-scene investigations and sex-related homicides.

There has never been an investigator's textbook and handbook that contained simple and practical approaches to death scene investigations as contained in the "Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigation Series." Vernon has provided first responders and investigators and additional related professional services personnel with that expert information and tools that you could only obtain after years of training at educational institutions that now is truly within your immediate reach when you need it.

Vernon's latest contribution, "Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, Second Edition," will be another tool in the investigators library into the past lightly researched area of sex-related criminal behavior and death investigations.

This textbook continues to use Vernon's hands on practical approach for the first responders as well as the seasoned investigators. Each topic is covered and analyzed forensically and psychologically in such a way that you actually feel the reality of the actual criminal investigation.

The topics in this text book have been carefully and purposely listed in the "Table of Contents" to be utilized as a quick reference to specific criminal behavior from the collection and preservation of physical evidence to criminal personalities and profiles. Investigators will want to keep this edition on their desk tops.

Chapter 1, "Human Sexuality and Sexual Deviance: Research and Reality," shares with the investigators the background knowledge necessary in understanding the developing mind and its thought process as it its relations to the development of sexual deviant tendencies in a person's physiological and biological foundation. Chapter 2 then leads the investigator into the significance and reality of "Fantasy in Sex-Related Incidents." Extensive research expertly presented with actual cases emphasize the need for investigators to begin to understand the linkage between the human sex drive, motivation, and how fantasy plays a major role in a person's sexual behavior. This chapter assists you in the early recognition and proper identification toward a favorable case conclusion.

Chapter 11, "Sex-Related Child Homicides and Child Abduction Cases," offers insight into horrific crimes against our nations children which emphasis why there is a need for criminal investigators to develop the knowledge and expertise to manage these types of cases and the how in gaining expertise from similar crimes and events as seen in this chapter to prepare a professional documented case for court presentation.

All the information contained in this new 2nd edition has been enhanced from the previous edition with new illustrations, color photographs, and diagrams that were inserted to heighten the reader's comprehension of the actual crime scenes. Investigators and forensic experts from around the country have contributed cases and shared their investigative techniques which increases the reality of these crimes and criminal behavior.

All of us in the field can only wish that we had served under Vernon's command. This new textbook, "Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, Second Edition," allows you the opportunity to walk with him through the cases of homicide and sex-related crimes across the country and step into the thoughts, motivations and fantasies of the perpetrators.

There is no room for errors by the investigators assigned to sex related homicides and death investigations. This textbook utilized as an investigative guide and clinical reference will prepare you for that call to duty and "getting it right the first time."

Vernon is to be commended for his commitment and dedication to all law enforcement professionals that on a daily basis encounter the most horrific and violent crimes and who are entrusted with the investigation of the death of a human being.

Major (Ret.) Thomas E. Nye

I write this review as a university Forensic Lab Director, a Deputy Coroner, and a Criminalistics Investigator with 34+ years of experience.

After reading Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation, page by page, I have never before seen, heard of, nor read a more complete work on the subject. Every homicide, sex crimes investigator, and crime scene investigator should read and keep this book as a reference. The information contained in this book is invaluable.

Homicide investigation, in its simplest form, is both complex and convoluted. When sex is added to the mix, the degree of difficulty increases exponentially. Geberth walks us through the basics of human sexuality and sexual deviance then applies them to the homicide. He does this in great detail and uses drawings and color images to allow the reader to understand the motivation of the perpetrator. He also uses case studies to demonstrate the methods used by the perpetrators in the commission of these types of crimes.

I give Geberth's book the highest of recommendation. I feel so strongly about this book that in Spring of 2011, I will be teaching a graduate course "Advanced Forensic Studies", using Geberth's book as the text. I teach what is relevant in the real world. The information contained in this book is a necessity to a professional investigator or to anyone that comes in contact with sex-related homicides and offenses.

I do not say this as merely an academic but also as a former homicide investigator and Criminalistics Investigator (CI) in Cook County, Illinois (CSI is a television term). I have investigated many (4,000 + death investigations) of the types of cases presented in Geberth's book. At the time I would have given anything for a book like his, for reference, instruction, and validation. This is a must have for the homicide investigator, sex offense investigator, abnormal psychologist, and any serious student of forensic science.