Questions and Answers
Deaths are classified by type as:
Non-criminal homicide includes:
Justifiable Homicide
Murder is classified as:
Criminal Homicide
The term for the criminal or non-criminal taking of life by another human is called:
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Premeditation would be a requirement in which case?
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Premeditation is a requirement in which type of crime?
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The first priority in a preliminary homicide investigation is to:
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Staging refers to:
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A study found that investigators are more likely to clear a homicide if they arrive at the scene within:
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Which of the following factors can assist in establishing time of death?
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Rigor Mortis is defined as:
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Rigor Mortis is at its maximum at about _____ hours after death?
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Rigor Mortis appears first in the smaller muscles, such as those of the face.
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If death is caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, lividity is:
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What may occur if a body is exposed to an extremely hot and dry climate?
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The post-mortem cooling process of the body is called:
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A dead body that sinks in water usually remains immersed for:
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It can be assumed that a victim has died on land if:
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Most medical examinations of a deceased person are conducted primarily to:
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A common indicator of suicide using a knife is:
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A weapon found to be tightly clutched by a victim at death is a sign of what type of indicator?
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Most cases of hanging are:
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Shotgun wounds produce _____ than single bullets.
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The study of poisons is referred to as:
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Which of the below are the most common methods of homicidal poisoning?
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In assessing victim-offender relationships, violence that is goal-directed predatory behavior is referred to as:
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The type of 'lust murderer' characterized as methodical and cunning is called a:
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What type of murder usually includes the killing of three or more separate victims with a 'cooling off' period between the killings?
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All murders are homicides.
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Examples of involuntary manslaughter include handling a firearm negligently; leaving poison where children may take it; and operating an automobile, boat, or aircraft in a criminally negligent manner.
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The key element distinguishing manslaughter from murder is premeditation.
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In Flippo v. West Virginia, the Supreme Court determined that there is a general 'murder scene exception' to the search warrant requirements for the Fourth Amendment.
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First-Degree murder requires premeditation and the intent to cause death.
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More Americans die by suicide than homicide.
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More officers lose their lives to suicide than homicide.
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A person who is addicted to or uses crack cocaine regularly may have what is called a 'crack finger.'
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Equivocal death investigations are those inquiries that are open to interpretation as to the cause of death.
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Lack of a note generally preludes the possibility of suicide.
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Two of the more difficult kinds of cases for criminal investigators to handle are those related to missing persons and those involving unidentified human remains.
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Researchers have identified more than 100 biological compounds called volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) found in the human body that are linked to decomposition in buried bodies.
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Unfortunately, the U.S. Justice Department does not have a national program to help law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and others identify missing persons who have not been murdered or have died of other causes.
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In general, decomposition is increased by lower temperatures and decreased by higher temperatures.
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The cornea clouds more rapidly if the eyes remain closed after death.
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Insects can offer valuable clues as to the time a body was left or buried.
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It is common procedure to exhume a body for medical examination.
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Investigators are more likely to clear a homicide if they arrive within 30 minutes of being notified.
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A serial murder is a sex-related homicide involving a sadistic, deviant assault.
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Profiles of serial killers show they are usually insane and simply do not care.
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Unlike workplace violence, school violence usually occurs without warning.
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Study Notes
Classification of Deaths
- Deaths are categorized into Natural, Accidental, Suicide, Homicide (Non-Criminal and Criminal), and Undetermined.
- Non-Criminal homicide encompasses Justifiable Homicide.
Homicide and Murder
- Homicide is defined as the felonious or non-felonious taking of life by an individual or government agency.
- Murder specifically refers to Criminal Homicide.
First-Degree Murder
- Requires premeditation, meaning the act was planned prior to execution.
Investigative Priorities
- The first priority in a preliminary homicide investigation is to assess the safety of the scene.
- Investigators are more effective in clearing homicide cases if they arrive within 30 minutes of notification.
Rigor Mortis and Time of Death
- Rigor Mortis, or stiffness of death, manifests first in smaller muscles like those in the face and peaks 12-24 hours post-mortem.
- Factors such as Rigor Mortis can help establish the time of death.
Lividity Signs
- Cherry red or strong pink lividity can indicate carbon monoxide poisoning.
- A body that sinks in water typically remains submerged for 8-10 days in warm water and 2-3 weeks in cold water.
Medical Examinations and Death Indicators
- Medical examinations aim primarily to determine the time and cause of death.
- Suicide indicators include hesitation wounds and a weapon tightly clutched by the victim at death.
Characteristics of Murders
- Most cases of hanging are categorized as suicides.
- Shotgun wounds are not characterized by smaller exit or entry wounds compared to single bullets.
Poisons and Toxicology
- Toxicology studies poisons to determine type, amount, and effects on the body.
- Arsenic and Cyanide are common homicidal poisons.
Violence Typologies
- Instrumental Violence refers to goal-directed predatory behavior for control, such as carjacking-related shootings.
- Organized Offenders are methodical, cunning, and socially skilled lust murderers.
Murder Classifications
- Serial murder involves three or more separate victims with a cooling-off period.
- All murders count as homicides, but distinctions exist for involuntary manslaughter, which lacks premeditation.
Legal Precedents and Investigations
- The "murder scene exception" to search warrant requirements for the Fourth Amendment was ruled out in Flippo v. West Virginia.
- Two challenging types of cases for criminal investigators are missing persons and unidentified human remains.
Miscellaneous Insights
- More Americans die from suicide than homicide, and police officers frequently fall victim to suicide rather than homicide.
- Profiles of serial killers are often incorrectly characterized; they do not generally display insanity.
General Observations on Decomposition
- Lower temperatures increase decomposition, contradicting common expectations about temperature effects.
- Insect activity can provide essential clues about the time since death or burial.
Examining The Context of Investigative Procedures
- Lack of a suicide note is not a definitive indication against suicide possibilities.
- Exhumations for medical examination are not common procedural practices.
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Description
This quiz explores the various classifications of deaths, including natural, accidental, suicide, and homicide. Delve into the distinctions between non-criminal and criminal homicides, as well as the concept of justifiable homicide. Test your knowledge on these important legal and medical terms.
