Who, What, and When: A Descriptive Examination of Crowd Formation, Crowd Behavior, and Participation with Law Enforcement at Homicide Scenes in One City

• NCJ Number: 212460
• Journal: American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: Fall 2005 Pages: 1-34
• Author(s): Robyn Diehl Lacks Ph.D.; Jill A. Gordon Ph.D.; Colleen McLaughlin McCue Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 34 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated crowd behavior at homicide scenes in one city.

Abstract

Police officers have provided anecdotal evidence that crowds of on-lookers at homicide scenes display dysfunctional behaviors that are inconsistent with grieving over a loss of life. These images of crowds at homicide scenes, where crowds have been described as uncooperative with law enforcement functions, have not been widely discussed in the research literature. The current study examined the formation of crowds, their behavior, and their level of participation and interaction with investigating officials at the scene in an urban area of a Mid-Atlantic city. Research questions focused on the factors that influenced the size of a crowd at homicide scenes and on the factors that influenced citizen’s participation with law enforcement at the scene. Data were collected on all homicides in the city between December 1998 and December 1999. Additionally, a researcher visited each of the 36 homicide scenes after the police department was notified and remained, observing events, until the homicide scene was cleared. Analysis focused on victim information, event information, and crowd information. Results indicated support for the notion of normalization to violence: when community members become desensitized to the effects of violence, crowds may act in unusual ways. A carnival-like atmosphere was observed at homicide scenes that included the consumption of food while viewing the events and a general attitude of non-participation in the police investigation. Differences were noted in crowd behavior for homicides that occurred within a dwelling rather than in a public space, mainly due to the reduced size of the crowd in dwelling homicides. Future research should focus on community level issues contributing to crowd behavior at homicide scenes, utilizing a concentrated disadvantage perspective. Tables, references