ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces detection avoidance (DA) in homicide cases as a behavior seen and discusses throughout history in fictional, criminal justice practitioner-focused and academic literature. Along with motivated offenders, investigators responsible for investigating sudden, suspicious or complex deaths have been aware of the potential for countermeasures to be used by offenders for centuries as well. The chapter examines and critiques how types of behaviors have been researched, identifies key challenges posed by the use of DA and opportunities to overcome these, as well as examines how training may reduce the impact these offender behaviors have on sudden, suspicious or complex death investigations. More importantly though, the combined academic rigor and real-world usefulness of the chapter exemplify the contributions that can be made to understanding DA when research collaborations between police and academic partners are successful. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
