Criminal Dismemberment: Forensic and Investigative Analysis

Criminal Dismemberment is the first book to examine dismemberment as a phenomenon in the context of criminal acts. While the number of such dismemberment cases in any given country is often small, the notion of dismemberment captures the imagination, often leading many to question the motivations as to why anyone would perpetrate such an unnatural act.The act of dismemberment, in its original form, referred to cutting, tearing, pulling, wrenching or otherwise separating the limbs from a living being as a form a capital punishment. In today's society, it has become associated most frequently with the criminal act of sectioning the remains of the dead in an attempt to conceal the death and dispose of the remains or make the process of identification of the deceased more difficult to achieve.Drawing on expertise from leading forensic anthropologists, pathologists, and forensic materials engineers, the book brings together much of the literature on criminal dismemberment-viewing it from the investigative, forensic, and social science perspectives. Key features include: Psychological analysis of the perpetrator Detailed examination of case studies, anonymized from recent investigations Difficulties encountered in a dismemberment investigation Tool mark analysis, including knives and saws, accompanied by over 120 detailed, full-color illustrations and photographs Serves as a unique and useful resource in the investigation of dismembered human remains The diverse backgrounds of the contributors offers a thorough account of such topics as the history of dismemberment, the forensic pathology in such cases, the importance of developing a common vocabulary in terminology used, the legal admissibility in dismemberment cases. As such, Criminal Dismemberment will serve as a comprehensive reference for students and practitioners alike.

About the Author

Professor Dame Sue Black is a Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology, the Director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and the Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee, UK.

Professor Guy Rutty is a Home Office registered Forensic Pathologist and is the vicechair of the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, University of Leicester, UK.

Professor Sarah Hainsworth is a Professor of Materials and Forensic Engineering, University of Leicester, UK.

Mr. Grant Thomson is a former Scenes of Crime Officer and Crime Scene Manager. He is currently a senior trainer and consultant in capacity building within fragile and conflict affected states.