Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation ─ Practical and Clinical Perspectives

Remember: Do it right the first time. You only get one chance.


—Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S., 1980, Homicide and Forensic Consultant, Author of Practical Homicide Investigation®, and the Series Editor of Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations.

In Practical Homicide Investigation, renowned author and investigator Vernon J. Geberth provided thousands of law enforcement professionals with invaluable techniques for investigation of sudden and violent death. Now he shares his practical and clinical expertise related to the unique characteristics of sex-related homicide and death investigations.

Renowned for being THE definitive source on these types of cases, this volume has been revised and expanded to provide additional case histories to emphasize the essential procedures and techniques on which to build a solid, prosecutable case.


This comprehensive volume is an incredible compilation that exhausts the subject. Vern's remarkable experience and unmatched expertise have given him unparalleled insight into the investigation of sexually deviant crimes and the psyche of those who perpetrate violent sex related crimes.

—Michigan Assistant Attorney General Donna Pendergast

Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation is truly a chronicle of practical and clinical case studies, combined with invaluable investigative guidelines, that takes the reader to another level of knowledge in this unique field. It represents an accomplishment that no other author has yet achieved.

— Legendary criminal profiler Robert K. Ressler, commenting on the First Edition


In typical Vernon Geberth style, we do not merely read of sexual murder…We are thrust into the horror…transported to the crime scene. We live it, smell it, experience it and feel it.

—From the Foreword by Larry Welch, Retired Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation


What’s New in the Second Edition:


A completely revised chapter on human sexuality and sexual deviance: Research versus Reality
A completely revised chapter on the Significance of Fantasy in sex-related events
A completely new chapter on the infamous 30-year BTK investigation
New case histories and/or research added to fourteen of the fifteen chapters
New research developed from the Working Group of Human Asphyxia (WGHA)
A revised chapter on Criminal Personality Profiling and Investigative Analysis
An analysis of the typology of offenders and the "Signature Aspect" of specific crimes
A total of 386 full-color photographs and illustrations representing an additional 126 new photosVernon Geberth discusses the book in a video on the CRC Press YouTube channel.

Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.A., B.B.A., FBINA, is a former lieutenant commander of the New York City Police Department with over 40 years of law enforcement experience. He has personally investigated, supervised, assessed, researched, and consulted on over 8,000 death investigations. In addition, Commander Geberth has been the recipient of more than 60 awards for bravery and exceptional police work and is a member of the Honor Legion of the City of New York Police Department. He is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Commander Geberth is a nationally renowned lecturer, author, educator, consultant, and expert witness on the subject of death investigations.

Human Sexuality and Sexual Deviance: Research and Reality Human Sexuality What Are the Goals/Objectives of the Human Brain? Artificial Human Estrus Mammalian Monogamy The Sociosexual Template Human Sexual Arousal and Response System Father of the Human Sexuality "Field" Human Sociosexual Arousal and Response System Sexual Deviance Appendix: Paraphilias Quick Reference The Investigative Significance of Fantasy in Sex-Related Incidents Human Sex Drive Photographs and Magazine Pictures Fantasy Drawings and Their Significance in Criminal Investigative Analysis Fantasy Writings of Sexual Sadists Consenting Partners Used to Reinforce the FantasyFantasy and Linking Criminal Events Prosecution Presentation of Psychosexual Evidence Domestic Violence Lust Murder: A Clinical Perspective of Sadistic and Sexual Fantasies Integrated into Domestic Violence DynamicsFantasy and Search Warrants Journal of a Serial Rapist: A Case Study Introduction The Suspect The Journal Investigative Analysis and OpinionSexual Asphyxia and Autoerotic Fatalities Introduction Clinical Definition Literature Definition Sex, Age, and Race Hypoxia Atypical Autoerotic Deaths Asphyxial Deaths: The Pathology of Autoerotic Death Reality of Asphyxial Death: Videotaped Cases Equivocal Death Investigations Sexual Asphyxia: The Psychosexual Aspects of Autoerotic ActivityFemale Victims of Autoerotic Fatality Female Autoerotic Fatality Reported as a Homicide Female Autoerotic Fatality Reported as a Suicide Atypical Female Autoerotic Case Equivocal Death Investigation Notification and Advising the Surviving Family of the Mode of Death A Case History Investigative Considerations Determining the Involvement of Sexual Asphyxia: Autoerotic Checklist The Crime Scene InvestigationLegal Considerations Document the scene: photos, videotape, and diagramsPhysical Evidence Trace Evidence The Concept of Linkage The Primary Crime Scene Preliminary Steps Secure and Protect the Crime Scene and Area Specific Duties of First Officers Preliminary Investigation at the Scene Preliminary Medical Examination at the Scene Implementing Crime Scene Procedures Direction of Uniform Personnel at the Scene Formulating the Crime Scene Search The Search Release of the Scene The Search Process Sex-Related Crime Scene Checklist Investigative Assessment: Criminal Personality Profiling. The Investigative Checklist Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence in Sex-Related Death Investigations Introduction General Types of Evidence Procedures for Collection of Evidence Field Test Reagents Tests for the Presence of Body Fluids Collection of Specific Types of Evidence Application of DNA Technology Interpersonal Violence-Oriented Disputes and Assaults and Sex-Related Domestic Violence Murders Introduction Classifications Lethality Indicators Rape- and Sodomy-Oriented Murders Introduction Investigative Strategy Cold Case Homicide Linked through CODIS Categories of Rapists Typical Sexual Killer Lust Murder and Deviant-Oriented Assaults Anatomy of Lust Murder Psychodynamics Organized Offenders Disorganized Offenders Case Histories of Lust Murders Serial Murder Definition Introduction Homosexual Serial Killers The Serial Killer Profile A Clinical Perspective Investigative Considerations Sex-Related Child Homicides and Child Abduction Cases Introduction Homosexual Pedophile Murder Missing Person Reports Involving Children Policy Introduction to Child Abduction Public Response Standard Operating Procedures Additional Investigative Considerations Cause of Death Investigation Procedures The Canvass The Search Victims Suspects Important Sites The Amber Alert Plan Sex Slave Torture and Serial Murder Case Introduction David Parker Ray Roy Yancy Legal Maneuvers The BTK Investigation Introduction The Original Btk Serial Murders The Btk Killer Reemerges Dennis Lynn Rader: The BTK Killer Synopsis of the BTK Confessions Search Warrant Evidence Disposition Investigative Analysis: Criminal Personality Profiling and the Signature Aspect Introduction Criminal Investigative Analysis Crime Scene Forensics Criminal Personality Profile Investigative Assessment: The Profiling Process Clinical Considerations and Descriptions of Behavior Crime Scene and Profile: Characteristics of Organized and Disorganized Murderers Criminal Personality Profiling: The Signature Aspect in CriminalInvestigation The Frequency and Characteristics of Sexual Posing in Homicides Investigative Application of the "Signature" Aspect Psychopathic Sexual Sadism: A Clinical Study Introduction Historical Perspective and Definitions Sexual Sadism Interview Statement of Serial Killer: A Sexual Sadist A Psychology of Evil Interview Strategies and Techniques Case Documentation Of Psychopathic Sexual Sadism Risk Assessment Literature Review Index