Catching Serial Killers - Assignment Example

Catching Serial KillersTask 1Cases of serial murders are very complicated and more often it is very challenging for the investigators to catch the serial killer. Unlike other forms of murder, serial killings demand a lot of resources, evidence and trained manpower. Due to economic constraints, it is quite difficult to have these facilities. Investigating serial killing is difficult because they attract a lot of media attention and hence the serial killers are always updated on investigations (Keppel, & Birnes, 2007).

Investigating such crimes require expertise in criminology since they have a characteristic of ambiguity that may lead to arresting innocent people. Cases of serial killing are linked to mental un-wellness and psychopathy and hence it is difficult to apprehend suspects or the actual killers.Most serial killers are trained and experienced in killing, and they leave little or no evidence. It is thus very challenging to locate them and hence making it hard to investigate cases of serial killing.

Serial murders demand a lot of cooperation between medical examiners and the police officers. Most investigations breakup due to lack of this cooperation. The analytical tools required for investigating cases of serial murders are not readily available and hence investigations are often hampered (Keppel, & Birnes, 2007).Task 2The major problem that is experienced in investigations and apprehension is the lack of communication between various police agencies. Lack of proper communication between different agencies leads to linkage blindness (Hurwitz & Christiansen, 2003).

Linkage blindness occurs when a particular crime requires information from other agencies in order to make up complete evidence, but such information is not availed. Most serial murders involve multiple jurisdictions a situation that demands a lot of communication between different agencies. Police agencies are given limitations to their operations. Due to this investigating certain crimes will require the collaboration of various agencies. However, most police agencies do not work together since each agency is independent of the other (James, 2001).

Lack of collaboration and communication between these agencies create loopholes in investigations and apprehensions.For a criminal to be apprehended, evidence must be presented to the court. The evidence might be in bits that are held by different agencies. If the various agencies fail to communicate and present full evidence, lawbreakers often go free. Every agency has an information system and differing of systems causes problems in investigations and apprehension. Information systems in various agencies could help by providing information linking certain cases.

However, communication links are not readily available, and important aspects of investigations such as debriefings become unavailable. Lack of proper communications leads to poor data management and linking of information on cases is hampered.Task 3Murder cases are of different types, and a lot of investigation has to be done before launching a manhunt for a serial offender (Kocsis, 2006). Before classifying a murder as a serial murder, investigation on similar murders must be done. The motives of the murder must be identified so that enough evidence to link it to a serial killer is brought together.

Therefore, discovering a murder does not automatically mean that is a serial killing. Manhunt for serial killers is only done when enough evidence is collected and similar cases linking to the suspect are identified.ReferencesHurwitz, S., & Christiansen, K. O. (2003). Criminology. London: Allen & Unwin.James, E. W. K. (2001). Catching serial killers: Learning from past serial murder investigations. Lansing, Mich., U.S.A: International Forensic Services.Keppel, R. D., & Birnes, W. J. (2007).

 The psychology of serial killer investigations: The grisly business unit. Amsterdam.: Elsevier.Kocsis, R. N. (2006). Criminal profiling: Principles and practice. Totowa, N.J: Humana Press