NCJ Number
225847
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 69-93
Date Published
February 2009
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study examined verbal indicators to critically analyze 911 homicide statements for predictive value in determining the caller’s innocence or guilt regarding the offense.
Abstract
The results revealed that the presence or absence of many of these linguistic features in the 911 calls analyzed were associated with the likelihood of a caller’s potential innocence or guilt regarding the offense of homicide. As the 911 dispatcher is the first person to come in contact with the individual reporting the offense, the dispatcher is the first law enforcement professional that could benefit from education and training regarding such relationships; thereby, greatly aiding the subsequent homicide investigation. The overall results of the study suggest that homicide investigators should analyze 911 homicide calls in the same manner that all other evidence of homicides are collected and examined. Several recommendations for future research are presented. An analysis of the verbal statements made by 911 homicide callers have the potential to reveal information regarding the suspect in the offense, and this knowledge may give the investigator insight and provide case strategy during the subsequent investigation. This study examined verbal indicators to critically analyze 911 homicide statements for predictive value in determining the caller’s innocence or guilt regarding the offense. The study examined 100 homicide calls and extracted 20 linguistic variables from the verbal statements made to the 911 dispatchers. Figure, tables, notes and references