A case-control research design was used in this study with the aim of identifying the factors which differentiate solved and unsolved non-domestic homicides in Trinidad and Tobago for the seven year period 2008-2014. Two research questions guided the study:
1) Is the use of elements of a structured approach to investigate homicides associated with more solved cases?
2) Are certain characteristics of homicide cases associated with a higher likelihood of detection?
The data set for this study comprised all the non-domestic homicides reported to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service from January 1st 2008 to December 31st 2014 was analyzed against 21 investigative variables and 16 solvability factors. Of these, only 2 investigative variables and 9 solvability factors were found to be strongly associated with solved cases. The two investigative variables were (a) 1st officer secured crime scene; and (b) investigator present at post-mortem. This study confirmed previous research findings in identifying the following variables as solvability factors (a) weapon recovered; (b) suspect named, (c) projectile recovered, (d) offender vehicle identified, (e) fingerprint found, (f) eye-witness (1vs. 0), (g) ballistic on weapon found, (h) 3 investigators versus 1, and (i) 4 investigators versus 1. The magnitude of these effects, measured with an odds-ratio meta-analysis suggested that the presence of these variables is positively associated with solved cases.
A model with three latent classes was found to best describe both the investigative variable and solvability factor variables. Based on the variation in the observed distribution, specifically the ratio of solved to unsolved cases, the classes were given the labels “Easy Cases”, “Normal Cases” and “Difficult Cases”. A similar variation was not observed in the detection status for the investigative variables – the proportions of solved to unsolved for each class were equally 50%. Consequently those results were discarded as they provided no useful insight into the homicide cases.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Acknowledgements
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Overview
- Why is this Study Important?
- Thesis Outline
- Literature Review
- Introduction
- Definition of Homicide Detection Rate
- Homicide Detection Rates as a Measure of Performance
- Measurement Issue about Detection Rates
- Theoretical Frameworks on Homicide Detection
- Reasons for Decline in Homicide Detection Rates
- Changes in the nature of homicides
- Changes in the nature of police resources
- Changes in the Behavior of Witnesses
- The Investigation of Homicide
- Forensic Evidence in Homicide Investigations
- Political Influence on Homicide Investigation
- Case Characteristics and Solvability Factors
- The Wellford and Cronin (1999) Study
- Summary of Literature Review
- Methods
- Introduction
- Research setting
- Definitions
- The Choice of Research Design
- Data Sources
- Data Extraction, Cleaning and Exclusion Rules
- Data Limitations and Issues
- Other Limitations of the Data
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This case-control study investigates the factors that differentiate solved and unsolved non-domestic homicides in Trinidad and Tobago between 2008 and 2014. The study aims to identify the variables associated with higher homicide detection rates.
- The impact of structured investigative approaches on homicide detection rates.
- The influence of case characteristics on solvability.
- The effectiveness of various investigative variables in solving homicides.
- The role of solvability factors in determining case outcomes.
- The identification of latent classes within the data, representing different levels of case complexity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of the research, highlighting its significance and outlining the study's objectives. The literature review examines the definition and measurement of homicide detection rates, explores theoretical frameworks on homicide detection, and discusses the reasons for declining detection rates. It also delves into the investigation of homicide, the role of forensic evidence, and the impact of political influence on investigations. The chapter concludes with a review of case characteristics and solvability factors, focusing on the Wellford and Cronin (1999) study.
The methods chapter outlines the research setting, definitions, and the chosen research design. It details the data sources, extraction and cleaning processes, and discusses data limitations and issues.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study focuses on non-domestic homicides, employing a case-control research design, odds ratio meta-analysis, and latent class analysis. Key investigative variables and solvability factors are examined, including weapon recovery, suspect identification, projectile recovery, offender vehicle identification, fingerprint evidence, eyewitness testimony, ballistic analysis, and the number of investigators assigned to a case.
- Quote paper
- Andre Norton (Author), 2015, A Case Control Study of Non-Domestic Solved and Un-Solved Homicides in Trinidad and Tobago, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/319951
