The role of detection avoidance behaviour in solving Australian homicides

Authors

  • Amber McKinley
  • Claire Ferguson

Keywords:

Australian homicide, Homicide solvability, Clearance rates, Detection avoidance

Abstract

Detection avoidance (DA) behaviours include removing evidence, manipulating bodies, and offenders protecting their identity, and staging the scene. There is a dearth of research on DA and its impact on homicide investigations. This study examines the role of DA in solving homicides in Victoria, Australia. It explores DA tactics used by offenders in 116 unsolved homicides, compares them to 35 solved homicides, and proposes a framework for their potential effect on solvability factors. The framework suggests that detection avoidance maps on to several solvability factors in complex ways, potentially complicating police investigations in a manner different to that anticipated. Future research is recommended.

Author Biographies

  • Amber McKinley

    Dr. Amber McKinley (B.LibS, MCJ, PhD) is a Clinical and Forensic Victimologist and a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University. She coordinates and lectures in Victimology and Human trafficking. She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies, a Master of Criminal Justice and, a Doctor of Philosophy. Her current research includes: the history of Australian familicide from 1816 – 2021; victims of serial homicide in Australia from 1820-2021 and homicide solvability. Amber works with the Australian Defence Force, Joint Military Police Unit.

  • Claire Ferguson

    Dr. Claire Ferguson is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in the School of Justice, at Queensland University of Technology. Claire’s work seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and forensic case work in complex death investigations. While she has published over 40 academic articles in many traditional journals, she also uses the research to inform training and expert consultancy for assisting police, attorneys, and Coroners investigating missing persons, equivocal deaths, and suspected homicides.

References

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Published

2023-02-04

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Research Articles

License

Authors retain copyright in their articles and grant SALUS the right of first publication. The work is simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and the journal, a link to the license is provided, and any changes made are indicated.

How to Cite

The role of detection avoidance behaviour in solving Australian homicides. (2023). Salus Journal, 9(2), 57-66. https://journals.csu.domains/index.php/salusjournal/article/view/133