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Questions and Answers
Deaths are classified by type as:
Deaths are classified by type as:
Non-criminal homicide includes:
Non-criminal homicide includes:
Justifiable Homicide
Murder is classified as:
Murder is classified as:
Criminal Homicide
The term for the criminal or non-criminal taking of life by another human is called:
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?
Premeditation would be a requirement in which case?
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Premeditation is a requirement in which type of crime?
Premeditation is a requirement in which type of crime?
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The first priority in a preliminary homicide investigation is to:
The first priority in a preliminary homicide investigation is to:
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Staging refers to:
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:
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?
Which of the following factors can assist in establishing time of death?
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Rigor Mortis is defined as:
Rigor Mortis is defined as:
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Rigor Mortis is at its maximum at about _____ hours after death?
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.
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:
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?
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:
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:
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:
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:
Most medical examinations of a deceased person are conducted primarily to:
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A common indicator of suicide using a knife is:
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?
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:
Most cases of hanging are:
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Shotgun wounds produce _____ than single bullets.
Shotgun wounds produce _____ than single bullets.
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The study of poisons is referred to as:
The study of poisons is referred to as:
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Which of the below are the most common methods of homicidal poisoning?
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:
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:
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
First-Degree murder requires premeditation and the intent to cause death.
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More Americans die by suicide than homicide.
More Americans die by suicide than homicide.
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More officers lose their lives to suicide than homicide.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
