NCJ Number
125126
Journal
State Peace Officers Journal Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 72-75
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement responses to serial murders should include conferences, an information clearinghouse, task forces, investigative consultant teams, a centralized investigative network, new training programs, the use of state-of-the-art technology, appropriate organizational structure, and the use of the forensic sciences.
Abstract
The mobility of most serial killers means their murders will happen and be investigated in a number of police jurisdictions. This requires a specialized police response. The existence of numerous unsolved murders across jurisdictions should call for a conference among police agencies investigating these murders. When a serial murderer confesses, a conference can help determine whether unsolved murders in various jurisdictions may be the work of the confessed killer. Also, an information clearinghouse should be developed on confessed and convicted serial killers, to be accessible to police agencies seeking a match with information on unsolved murders in their jurisdictions. Multijurisdictional task forces are standard practice when it is apparent that a serial killer is at work, and an investigative consultant team can aid the task force's work. The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program is a centralized investigative network that aims at identifying any similar characteristics in a series of unsolved murders and dispenses information to all concerned police agencies. Investigators must be trained to cooperate with other investigators and also to use every available investigative technique that uses state-of-the-art technology. A full range of forensic services should be used.