Practical Homicide Investigation, Fourth Edition

By Vernon J. Geberth

Book Overview

Renowned for being THE definitive source of homicide investigation, Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques is the recognized protocol used by investigative divisions of major police departments throughout the world. It is also the text used in most police academies, including the prestigious FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. It emphasizes essential procedures, combines detailed techniques with instructive case studies, and outlines the foundation on which to build a solid, prosecutable case. The fundamental criminal investigative techniques stressed in the Fourth Edition are crucial for effective inquiry into sudden and violent death. Eminent author, lecturer, consultant, and expert witness Vernon J. Geberth begins the book with a comprehensive discussion of homicide crime scenes. The book evolves chronologically from initial police notification, the correct police response that follows, and the subsequent steps necessary to conduct an intelligent investigation. It then delves into more technical aspects of homicide investigation, augmented with numerous pictures and full-color illustrations that involve pertinent case histories. The book features two new chapters along with major revisions of those from the previous edition. In addition it contains 675 photos and illustrations - including 300 new entries that incorporate depictions of wound structures and procedures that portray exactly what to do and how to do it. All illustrations are presented in full color, including new medical-legal drawings for instruction and courtroom testimony. Vernon Geberth was featured in an interview on News 14 Carolina in Fayetteville discussing his 3-day seminar on Practical Homicide Investigation.He also discusses the book in a video on the CRC Press YouTube channel. Vernon Geberth was recently interviewed for an article entitled, The Hunt for a Serial Killer: Revisting the Gilgo Beach Murders.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849333032
• ISBN13: 9780849333033
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Length: 1072 Pages
• Weight: 4.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.5" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

It's the Bible of Homicide Investigation

I have worked as a crime scene investigator for some 15 years and am now a police academy director. This text is the "Bible" for those of us who investigate murder--there is no better collection of information available. I also recommend Lt. Cmndr. Geberth's course offered throughout the United States under the same title. Get this, but don't leave it laying around--some cop will steal it!

A must book for homicide detectives

I have been a homicide investigator for 18 years. This book is a must for any homicide investigator as well as coroners. Included in the book are check off lists, for crime scenes and well defined steps to take during the course of your investigation. The author explains the need and reason for the neighborhood canvas. This book exposes you to various types of death and it truly is the Homicide Bible

Excellent; thorough, in-depth, and professional

I am a writer of police thrillers and had this book recommended to me by a homicide detective. It certainly filled in all kinds of holes in my research, though it is not for the faint of heart. An excellent overview of how a homicide investigation should be conducted.

Excellent Investigative Techniques

I purchased this book in a bookstore where someone had it special ordered, saw the content, and decided they did not want it. I read the title, viewed the content, and decided it was a book I had to add to my library. I am currently pre-med, looking to become a forensic pathologist. This text gave me good insight as to approaches taken when doing crime scene investigation. I thoroughly enjoyed the picutres with full explanation of events leading up to the death. A good text for anyone involved in forensic sciences or law enforcement.

Excellent Foundational Textbook

I reference this book so often that when I designed our updated online profiling course I knew I couldn't teach it out of anything else. It is foundational in terms of both investigative, forensic, and profiling concepts. Geberth uses a lot of excellent case examples, provides a great deal of insight into various scenarios and investigative strategies, and baselines readers with investigative theory and forensic principles. And that is its strength-- it's heavily grounded in the physical evidence. It is the learned treatise by which all homicide investigators are impeached, and part of the International Association of Identification's certification reading. In terms of usefulness, when I'm working a homicide or rape-homicide series it's a very good encyclopedia-like reference to have on my desk. Brent E. Turvey, MS (bturvey@corpus-delicti.com) Criminal Profiler, Knowledge Solutions,