ABSTRACT
Investigating the staged crime is daunting. It is very dierent from investigating many other types of crimes. Specically related to homicides staged as something else, investigators are faced with an uphill battle almost every time. Regardless of whether or not an oender has staged a monothematic (i.e., simplistic) or polythematic (i.e., complex) crime, his level of eort even in its smallest measure can create tremendous investigatory obstacles that prove challenging to overcome. But they can be overcome in many instances. Not in every instance, but in many instances they can. It all depends on how those involved in the case choose to view the evidence. Do they make the evidence t their theories or what they want the case to be or do they allow the evidence to guide the investigation while remaining open to alternatives? e author has seen investigations go both ways many times and is here to proclaim that failing to remain open to alternatives throughout the course of an investigation is the most crippling thing anyone can do throughout the duration. It is ok to say, “I don’t know.” It is also ok “to be wrong.” It is ok to admit one is wrong as well. Sometimes these are hard pills to swallow, but because the issue at hand is capturing the oender, making every eort to evade capture toward justice for the victim of murder and his or her family, investigators must remain focused and remember that these investigations are not about them; they are about the victims. Victim centered. Victim focused. Grounded by victimology. is chapter will incite a new journey for some, while others might dismiss it altogether. As a lifelong learner, the author would argue opening one’s mind to change or growth is scary, frustrating, and sometimes downright hard, but due to the CSI eect, the fact that research has shown staged crimes are on the rise, and all of the new ways oenders are now trying to get away with murder, changing the way staged crimes are investigated is necessary. And with that, it begins.
