Modus Operandi by Mauro Corvasce (universal ebook reader txt) 📕

hard to determine any soft tissue damage caused by sharp or blunt objects. The skeleton will show broken bones and bones that were cut by stab wounds. Animal activity and gravity will separate bullets from the victim over time. Careful excavation is necessary when dealing with decomposed bodies and skeletons.

Mutilation. In passion killings, the injury to the victim is done out of rage and will continue until the weapon is spent or the rage subsides. Psychotic mutilations can be surgically precise and sexual in nature, e.g., the removal of the nipples. In sadistic killings, mutilation will be to terrorize and cause pain by slashing the victim with a knife or assaulting the victim with fist or other implements like metal pipes.

In sexually sadistic killings, ropes or cords will be used and placed around the breasts, neck and hands, not only to secure the victim but also for the sexual pleasure of the perpetrator. Elaborate, erotic gags and blindfolds may also be used.

Suicide or Homicide

Let's see how good all you supersleuths really are! Or, are you reading the last chapter first? What we are going to do now is give you a real-life scenario so that all you Dick Tracy's out there can solve the crime.

Suzy Sweetheart is an attractive woman in her late thirties. Suzy has dated frequently, but never married. It has been said that Suzy dresses a little bit too sexy for her own good. Suzy lives in an apartment building a few blocks from her job.

A co-worker becomes alarmed at the fact that Suzy, who has never taken a sick day, has not reported to work and failed to call in. She contacts the police and reports her fear. The police dispatch a patrol car to Suzy's apartment.

The patrol officer knocks on Suzy's door and receives no response. The officer then knocks at the next apartment and is informed by the neighbor that Suzy was last seen returning from work the previous evening. The officer then attempts to locate Suzy by again knocking on her door. The officer, upon receiving no response, turns the door knob and finds it to be locked.

The officer summons the superintendent and requests that the door be opened. Once the door is opened, the officer locates the victim on the floor of her bedroom, bound with rope. At this time, the officer secures the scene and summons the Major Crime and Forensic Units. The Forensic Unit responds and after properly documenting the scene, a cursory examination is conducted.

The victim is lying on her bedroom floor at the foot of the bed. She is face down and completely naked. Her legs are bent at the knee and her feet are resting against her buttocks. Both feet are secured with rope and another rope connects them to a loop of rope around her neck. Also around her neck, under the rope is a very expensive silk scarf. The victim's hands are bound loosely behind her back just above her buttocks. Under the victim's body is a sheet from the bed, which appears to have been placed there in an attempt to cover or carry the victim from the scene.

Nothing else is out of place and no signs of a struggle are observed. The only other item is that a patio door leading from her bedroom is unlocked and slightly ajar.

The Major Crime detectives canvasing the area have located two neighbors, one living across the hall and one in the apartment next to the victim, who report that in the past they have overheard the victim arguing violently with her boyfriend. Upon interviewing the boyfriend, he admits to having had arguments with the victim, but states that he never hit her and the last time he spoke with her was over the phone at her job the day before she was found.

The victim's cause of death was determined at the autopsy to be asphyxiation. No other injuries were observed on any location of the victim's body. Livor Mortis is consistent with the position of the body after death. No signs of sexual assault were found. OK, now, go bring the suspect in for processing. So, what do you think? Definitely a homicide, probably by the boyfriend? Well, if you want to find out, you have to purchase our next book!

Kidnapping occurs when a person removes or unlawfully confines another person for the purpose of a shield, hostage, reward or ransom. Kidnapping is one of the most terrifying and cruel crimes that can be committed against another human being. In our opinion, kidnapping has more impact than homicide because of the uncertainty of the victim's whereabouts, condition and the likelihood of being reunited with the victim. It is difficult for the family to move on while these uncertainties weigh upon them.

Gang Kidnappings

Organized Crime

Organized crime has used kidnapping throughout the years to gain control over rival gangs and government offi-

cials. Key personnel or their family members are kidnapped and used as negotiating pawns.

Their goal is to complete the kidnapping with little or no outside interference. The kidnap target will be followed by one or perhaps two vehicles. When the kidnappers believe it is safe, they block the target's vehicle to prevent escape. Once the victim's vehicle is stopped, he is forcibly transferred to the kidnapper's vehicle.

The victim is then secured with handcuffs or other binding. If the victim is struggling, his feet will be secured too. Sometimes mace or another chemical agent is sprayed in his face to debilitate him. Eventually, the victim will be blindfolded and gagged with a piece of cloth or duct tape. His eyes will be covered with duct tape, cloth or perhaps a hood.

The kidnapper's vehicle is usually stolen to prevent any chance of tracing the vehicle. Following successful completion of the kidnapping, the vehicle may be set ablaze to conceal any evidence that may have been left in it. In some cases, the kidnappers will use their own vehicles. But, if they feel that they were observed during the