Police Determination of Suspected Foul Play in Death Incidents Involving Hazards: A Case Series

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

Researchers are increasingly studying the ways in which the police determine foul play in cases involving death, arson, missing persons, abuse and neglect, and other possible crimes. Using the results of The Police Classification of Foul Play Project, the following study relies on a case series of death incidents in which hazards at the sites of the death incidents have been identified. The results from the case series reveal that the police are more likely to classify death incidents as involving suspected play when hazards at the incident location have been identified. This study analyzes other socio-demographic, psychological, and physical factors that may affect the ways in which police suspect foul play in death cases related to hazards at the location of the death incident.

Author

• Stephen Morewitz, California State University, East Bay