ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the typologies, including the definitions used, support provided and strengths and weaknesses of each. It demonstrates that the lure of a common sense- or experience-based typology to explain detection avoidance (DA) and crime scene staging (CSS) behaviors by offenders perpetrating homicides is strong. However, before that, the lure of typologies is described, including the various definitions and terms used for the behaviors and the rationale behind the development of each system. Of Ferguson’s empirically validated typology of CSS, she notes the idea behind categorizing behavior is to be able to determine what the common characteristics of each type are and to differentiate those characteristics from other types. Chancellor and Graham proposed a typology for DA for all types of crime, not just homicide. The rationale behind offering a typology, they note, is that investigators can learn from the behaviors of past offenders in order to better understand, identify and investigate others.
