NCJ Number
129027
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 38 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 76-81
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article instructs police officers in an effective and practical strategy for investigating drug-related homicides, defined as those murders that occur as a direct result of the use, sale, and distribution of narcotics and other illegal drugs.
Abstract
Drug homicides include premeditated murders intended to eliminate competition or enforce control over a drug enterprise, unpremediated homicides that occur in drug-related interpersonal disputes, the murder of innocent bystanders killed in a cross-fire or with a stray shot, and the drug-related assassinations of government officials and influential civilians. Drug-related homicide investigations are difficult because the police must focus on both the homicide itself and the drug enterprise that spawned it. A 3-phase investigative strategy should be used. Phase 1 applies procedural and forensic techniques as well as investigative resources to the crime scene and the overall investigation. Phase 2 assesses intelligence resources with the intent of cultivating reliable sources whose information can corroborate the information developed at the crime scene. Phase 3 implements crime clearance procedures that enable authorities to clear a case without an arrest that uses exceptional means.