The Homicide Manifesto

Protocols of a Violent Crime's Investigation

Cpt. Jose 'Pepi' Granado

• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781645365037
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Criminal Procedure
• Index: Law

The Homicide Manifesto is a testament of Cpt. Jose 'Pepi' Granado's (Ret.) many years of service within the law enforcement community, especially his insights as an investigator and supervisor of various Homicide Units. It's meant to be used as a guide for new investigators, supervisors, students majoring in Criminal Justice, Law, or a University's curriculum. Additionally, this book is a source of information that can augment any in-service training provided by law enforcement agencies nationally or globally. Individual investigators who desire to investigate violent crimes, attorneys, or citizens can use this book to garner better perspectives of how investigations should be conducted. As a Criminal Investigations Division Captain, Cpt. Granado realized the lack of training investigators and supervisors receive. Therefore, this book is his way of providing knowledge to future generations of investigators, supervisors, and students in order for them to understand the importance of thoroughness and preparedness. "Attack the Castle."

Chapter 1

Mental Preparation

When discussing the ‘mental preparation’ of a violent crime’s investigator, what are the questions that an investigator must ask? One can say that mental preparation commences when the investigator receives the first call of a death investigation or violent incident. That is a valid and logical assumption, but beyond the simplicity of that, where do we begin the process of ‘mental preparation?’ These are questions that an investigator, regardless of experience, must find a way to answer before his or her day starts. There are aspects of working death or violent crime investigations that will tax an investigators’ mental, physical, and spiritual health. With this in mind, let us take a few moments to journey through an investigator’s ‘mental preparation.’

As a homicide investigator, one has to be prepared for a multitude of issues that arise at any death scene. It is very important to have the right frame of mind when taking on the responsibility as the lead investigator. How can one be mentally ready prior to arriving on a death scene? This question must be answered well before any investigation begins.

Each death or violent crime investigation takes on different dynamics throughout the course of the investigation. From a natural death, which is one of the easiest cases to investigate, to the more complex investigation, such as a homicide, that could potentially have multiple victims and scenes.

An investigator is always thinking of how to work an investigation in order to achieve a positive result. But when the investigator is out with family and friends or trying to enjoy his or her time off (which is rare), they must constantly have a prepared game plan, a ritual of sorts that brings them into focus for the task at hand. One perceives that when they watch a crime drama on the television or in the cinema, that what the investigator is doing can be accomplished by anyone, which is not the case. Unfortunately, the movie industry would have you think so.

Attaining the status of a violent crime or death investigator, a.k.a. homicide detective, takes many years of training and learning prepares one for the challenges that each case brings. Wearing a badge with the word ‘investigator’ really does not mean anything if the one wearing it does not know what they are doing. Investigators lie awake countless nights, dreading the call that a death has occurred. Well, this is what death investigators must be prepared to confront. Death investigations must be a passion, not just a title. Investigators love their profession, even knowing what they are exposed to can create psychological barriers with family, friends, and co-workers. It is for these reasons that very few investigators make a career of working in a violent crime’s unit. The nature of the work takes a toll on everyone.

However, for those investigators who are able to overcome the toils of a career in violent crimes, they become the standard by which other investigators, regular officers, and individuals from outside agencies gauge success. The hard work and dedication of an investigator will always shine, even if they do not solve every case.

So, how does an investigator prepare to work a death investigation? Let us start by identifying the various types of death cases that an investigator will be dealing with. Death investigators work such cases as natural deaths, unclassified deaths, undetermined deaths, accidental deaths, suicides, and homicides. Each investigator, knowing that they can be called to work at any time, must approach each incident in a methodical manner. The investigator must know that the responsibility they assumed, as a professional investigator, is one of genuine caring for the victim or victims of each case. The investigator must also have profound empathy for the relatives of the victim(s). They are the ones that have to be a part of an unpleasant journey with the lead investigator, from the inception of the investigation until it reaches the trial phase. The investigator needs to understand that Next of Kin (N.O.K.) have an expectation that not only will the investigator conduct a complete and thorough investigation, but they will be continuously informed of how the investigation is progressing. Another key point that cannot be overlooked, does the next of kin have crucial information that can assist in the investigation?

The investigator who has properly prepared for each investigation starts by knowing the city in which they work. Each investigator must know and understand the makeup and dynamics of the citizens that live where they work. Who are the citizens? Are they predominantly African American, White, Latino, Asian, Haitian, Jewish, Muslim, other ethnicities, or a rich vibrant mixture of all? This information is crucial to the way that the investigator approaches each case. Investigators must be able to comfortably interact with all people. Another factor that comes into play, the socio-economic status of the city where they work (affluent, middle-class, or low income). This should not play an important role in the investigator’s approach because investigators must be totally objective. There is something to be said, about the city, where the investigator conducts his/her investigation. Why? If an investigator does not possess the tools to interact with a variety of people, then he/she is laying the foundation for failure. An investigator must be able to conduct a professional, unbiased investigation no matter whom he/she meets. The investigation must take precedence over all else, not who is involved, or who is the family and friends. If an investigator cannot have a proper and civil conversation with members of the community, how does one think the investigation is going to evolve? Surely, it would be safe to guess that the investigation will not go well. Interaction with peoples of all backgrounds is crucial and the cornerstone of each investigation. The moment that an investigator cannot deal with the simplicity of a civil, verbal exchange during the inception of an investigation, all is lost. The investigator must remember that social or ethnic class has no part on how an investigation is to be conducted.

Truly, it is important that an investigator acquires a well-rounded understanding of the citizens of the city where an investigation is being conducted.

Another important factor that should be discussed is the type of area where the investigation is taking place, from the opulence of marble to the tattered slums of boarding and section eight housing. If an investigator is not prepared to understand the differences, then the investigation will suffer. How wonderful it would be if every investigation were conducted in an environment that was fully air-conditioned, sterile, and in museum-like conditions. Unfortunately, in the real world, such conditions are far and few in between. An investigator’s approach changes based on the location where an investigation will be taking place, such as an apartment complex, townhome community, or warehouse districts. All these locations pose a different approach than a regular residential area. Other factors that come into play are areas where civilian traffic is high, such as shopping centers, grocery stores, schools, locations of worship, and a multitude of other locations. It is important for the investigators to have a good idea and knowledge of these areas because they can better prepare the initial approach of the investigation. Also, does the city where an investigation is going to take place surrounded by water (beaches/lakes) or waterways such as rivers or canals. An investigator must consider these additional factors.

The factors previously listed are crucial to an investigator. Based on those factors, the investigator must understand the location of where the crime took place. What is the make-up of the citizens in said area and what special needs will be required? It is important for an investigator to continuously run mental scenarios in order to be better prepared to formulate a plan of action prior to arriving at any location within his/her city of operation. Remembering that no two investigations are alike, an investigator must have a mental checklist that he/she can run off in order to bring out the proper equipment or resources needed to aid with an investigation.

I suggest that an investigator routinely take an area in his/her city and initiate a mental scenario of a multitude of incidents. As the investigator runs these mental exercises, he/she should be going through a checklist of things that could be needed in order to commence the investigation. The importance of this exercise is so that the investigator maintains a fluid list in his/her mind of significant resources needed, as well as items. By having a continuous mental course, the investigator most likely will not have surprises pop-up when he/she responds to a real incident. Starting by ensuring that the crime scene has been properly secured. Based on the size of the crime scene, are additional officers or investigators needed to assist with the investigation. Where will the staging area be set for police, media, fire rescue, medical examiner, crime scene and state attorney? Will a Mobile Command Vehicle (M.C.V.) be needed? These are a few essential questions that the investigator must be ready to answer.

This section has discussed a few mental aspects of the ‘mental preparation.’ However, is that all that an investigator needs to be ready? I submit to the would-be investigator that there is much more.

In addition to being mentally prepared, the investigator must be physically ready to take on the grueling challenge of either a short-term investigation or a prolonged investigation. Let me be clear, “There truly is no short-term investigation.” All investigations, no matter how simple, takes many hours to complete. In order for the investigator to maintain a continuous upbeat tempo, his/her physical stamina must be at an optimal level. Why would I say that? The reason is quite simple. During a tour of duty, an investigator is asked to investigate a simple natural death, but during the course of the investigation, the next of kin was not located. Therefore, what would have been several hours of investigating a simple case turns into 10-14 hours of investigation in order to identify family that can better describe any medical history that the victim might have. Another reason, an investigator has been working his/her regular shift (usually 10 hours) and while on the way home from a long day, he/she is asked to return to work because of another type of death investigation. During the course of this investigation, Crime-Scene Investigation (C.S.I.), Medical Examiner (M.E.), and the on-call Assistant State Attorney (A.S.A.) must be summoned to the location of the incident. This process takes hours and before the investigator realizes, he/she has worked 20-24 hours straight, went home to clean up and returned to work. At the end, the investigator has worked over 30 hours continuously without rest. If the investigator were not physically ready, he/she would be unable to complete the investigative task. Granted, it is not every day that an investigator works 20-30 hours straight, but when one tallies an investigator’s regular shift, time spent in court or regular follow-ups on other cases, a regular week can turn from 40 hours to 60 hours. Considering this, if an investigator maintains a workout regimen and good sleeping habits, then the physical strain becomes more manageable. Understanding that each investigator has a framed work schedule, a workout schedule, if possible, should be a part of the investigator’s regular routine. Such workouts are great for reenergizing.

When discussing the spiritual approach or well-being of the investigator, the suggestion is not one of religion, although religion can play a part for some. The spiritual wellbeing for an investigator is one of internal peace. How to properly cope with what he/she is about to see and touch. Putting cases in perspective, the average investigator will investigate at least two-three types of death cases per week, multiplied by 52 weeks in a year, and it is conceivable that an investigator will probe over 100 death cases. These numbers can fluctuate depending on the area in which an investigator works. The numbers could be greater and, in some cases, fewer. Nonetheless, the amount of death scenes that an investigator explores during the course of his/her career could conceivably cause some investigators to be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.). If one puts this in perspective, there is truly no difference with the amount of carnage seen by an investigator or a soldier in combat. The circumstances are different, but the gore and carnage remains the same. Those images can haunt an investigator in one way or another, and the reason why it is so important for an investigator to be emotionally grounded.

There was a time when investigators would gather at their nearest watering hole (bar) in order to take the edge off a very difficult shift. Well, this presents another problem. After a few drinks, the investigator needs to drive home, not a good idea. Once home, the investigator becomes distant from those that are closest to them. Sometimes, verbal and mental abuse occurs.

Unfortunately, this is a defensive mechanism in order to shun others out of the difficult and cruel aspects of cases that are being investigated. There is no calming conversation that an investigator can have with individuals, especially, if those persons have no idea of what the investigator is referring to.

So, during these times, who does the investigator turn to? A simple suggestion is to find a hobby, workout, read, simply spend quality time with love ones, and yes, for some investigators, religion gives them a sense of peace. There is no real answer to what I refer to as the spiritual wellbeing. Every investigator must find their inner place where he/she can become grounded, at peace, and understand the craft that has been chosen is a calling that not many can do well.

Early in this section, you read that an investigator could be out enjoying much needed time with family and friends when they receive a call to respond to a death scene. The importance of the investigator’s relationship with his family plays a vital role on how an investigator will focus. It is true that while the investigator has the responsibility to answer the call of duty and respond to the scene, the family does not. The investigator needs to have a solid partnership with his/her family if they want to succeed. The investigator needs to have a serious conversation with their family prior to embarking on the process of joining a homicide unit and for that matter, any investigative unit. This conversation is important because they need to understand the enormous responsibility of an investigator. The investigator must include his/her family in this undertaking, because, families are impacted in a way that is not readily understandable. Even after these conversations take place and everyone is onboard with the decision that an investigator has taken, issues still arise. How difficult will it be for an investigator to tell his/her child that they cannot attend a school function or special event? What happens when the investigator is attending a birthday party and abruptly needs to leave? Most of all, what happens when the investigator is about to attend an anniversary dinner and the dreaded call is received? These critical questions need to be answered well before one embarks on becoming an investigator. The investigator’s family is the most important component in the investigator’s mental make-up. If there are any issues or concerns at home because of the responsibilities that come during the course of any investigation, then the investigation will not receive the attention needed, and the investigator would not have fulfilled his responsibility.

‘Mental preparation’ takes on a life of its own, it takes many years of behavioral modification, and discipline for an investigator to reach the level of comfort it takes to assume the responsibility of a ‘homicide investigator’ or any other major crime’s investigator. One must be well grounded to accept what one is about to receive. Investigators must have the passion to perform their task, knowing full well that nothing is owed to them. Therefore, they must be mentally prepared for the challenge.

Chapter 2

Crime Scene

(Initial Response)

Upon receiving the call that a violent crime has taken place, it is important for the investigator to start documenting every bit of information that is received. One of the tools that is crucial is what I like to refer to as ‘the Bible’ (a notebook for documenting events and times). Therefore, as an investigator responding to a crime scene, their responsibility is to ensure patrol units who are on the scene have properly secured the crime scene. As an investigator, you must start mentally preparing for what you might encounter upon arrival. During the mental preparation phase, the investigator can begin to develop a plan of action of how the investigation will start. For this reason, it is crucial that the investigator have a good working relationship with the crime--scene technician during the course of the investigation. In working the crime scene, they need to be in constant communication and understand how and why the scene investigation is progressing in a specific manner. *One important aspect to understand as an investigator; you are at a crime scene to investigate the crime and not to process the crime scene, that is left to those with the expertise in that field. However, an investigator must have a working knowledge of crime-scene processing if they are to effectively collaborate with the lead crime-scene technician.

However, before we go any further, let us understand that prior to police or fire rescue arriving on a crime scene, someone was in the crime scene and felt that a crime had taken place. Once the notion was felt, then 911 was called. Initial contamination of the crime scene occurred at precisely the moment a person or persons, not related to the incident, were present. Therefore, as an investigator, you have to start thinking along the lines of who initially was in the scene. However, this question needs to be answered at some point during the course of the investigation.

As patrol officers arrive on a scene, they will determine if a crime has taken place. They need to ensure that there is no imminent danger prior to allowing fire rescue to attend to the injured victim or before they proceed to secure the crime scene. This is when the on-scene officer(s) will notify the investigator responding to the scene. After briefly explaining to the investigator what has taken place, the investigator will advise the officer to notify crime-scene personnel (Crime-Scene Investigations). In the interim, it is the responsibility of the first units on the scene to secure the crime scene in order to preserve the scene’s integrity. A good rule to follow when securing a scene is to make it as big as possible. It is easier for the scene to be reduced once the lead investigator determines what is acceptable, rather than trying to extend a crime scene. Keep in mind that a crime scene can be adversely contaminated if it is not contained properly, that means; if a crime scene is kept small, then any possible evidence outside the initial area can theoretically be lost or contaminated. In addition, if people are allowed to enter or exit a crime scene, this too can be a problem for the integrity of a crime scene. This includes officers or command-staff personnel that just want to see what is going on.

Let there be no doubt, crime scenes are complex. It does not matter how small or large they might be. Crime scenes range from a small space, such as a bathroom, to as large as a field. These enormous differences in scale can pose a problem and create difficulties when securing and processing such a scene. The gravity of a poorly secured crime scene can cause an investigation to fail. Remember that this is a basic introduction to crime-scene investigations for the aspiring investigator. Therefore, it is crucial that an investigator receive as much training as possible in the area of crime-scene investigations. An investigator must be on the same page as a crime-scene technician, this allows for a free flow of ideas and a check and balance process.

Upon arriving at a crime scene, it is the responsibility of the lead investigator to select an area away from the crime scene in order to meet with the investigative team, which would include crime-scene investigators. This isolated location is selected in order to gather initial information, exchange ideas, and assign tasks to those charged with the investigation. This location is where the lead investigator meets with the primary officer. The primary officer will brief the investigating team as to what had been learned prior to the teams’ arrival. Once the team receives the initial briefing, the lead investigator, his team, and the lead crime-scene technician will do a cursory walkthrough of the crime scene. This is done in order to get an overview of the scene’s dynamics. Once the walkthrough is completed, the lead investigator or a designee will brief the agency’s command staff.

The importance of the crime scene cannot be emphasized enough and it is important to maintain the security of any crime scene until the lead investigator is comfortable in allowing it to be released (opened up).

Moving forward, we will be discussing the approach to the crime scene, its importance and the value placed on ...