Investigating: Domestic Homicides

During this two (2) day course, officers and other helping professionals will be presented with information and techniques to assist them in investigating Domestic Homicides. This course of instruction will include spouse and children homicide investigations.

Each day in the U.S., between 5 and 11 women are KILLED by a male intimate partner, between 1800 and 4000 per year. In the United States, women are more likely to be killed by their male intimate partners than all other homicide categories combined. The Violence Against Women Act in 1994 was key legislation to curb domestic homicides. In its first year, The Violence Against Women Act, and related provisions, have proven extremely effective in our effort to derail family violence incidents, and to provide protection and peace of mind for women and their families. While some cities have received remarkable success in reduction of family violence murders, others have yet to incorporate aggressive strategies.

The investigation of a homicide is most detailed, and will rank as one of the most significant investigations of any agency. This is a crime, which will never be understood by the general public. The public is outraged when a homicide occurs, and more so when it involves family. Domestic homicide brings a different twist. The family is supposed to be sacred, and, when it is divided, particularly by a murder, its fabric is torn beyond repair. This makes the investigation much more difficult because the perpetrator is someone that the family knows and, perhaps, loves.

The Goal of the Training

• To familiarize law enforcement officers, including helping professionals, with theories and dynamics of investigating domestic/family violence homicides;
• To provide strategies for prevention of domestic homicides;
• To provide proven on-scene techniques for successful prosecution of offenders;
• To show law enforcement and other helping professionals the advantages of a pro-arrest policy in the reduction of domestic/family violence homicides;
• To reveal the importance of the case preparation for trial;
• To identify the role of  social services in homicides involving children;
• To familiarize participants on how stalking impacts domestic homicides;
• 4th and 5th Amendment requirements when investigating domestic homicides; and
• To familiarize on-scene responsibilities for officers, detectives and supervisors during a domestic/family homicide.