Body Recovery After the “First 48”: Implications for Sexual Homicide Investigations

Abstract

There is a lack of research examining the relationship between body recovery times and the “first 48,” despite the risk of forensic evidence deteriorating and the difficulty in forming leads without a body. The study explores factors influencing body recovery—both during and after the critical 48-hr investigative window—in sexual homicide cases. Offender characteristics, victimology, contact scene and body recovery locations, and forensic awareness strategies are used to predict body recovery after the “first 48.” Findings suggest that certain offenders can delay body recovery past the first 48 because they utilized detection avoidance strategies during the crime-commission process.