Abstract
Analysis of neonaticide cases from a law enforcement perspective is virtually non-existent in the research literature. Nonetheless,
law enforcement and prosecutors face unique challenges when investigating and prosecuting neonaticide; and a specialized,
informed approach is necessary. By highlighting the crime scene characteristics and autopsy findings of 55 neonaticide victims,
the authors hope to assist the law enforcement and legal communities in their neonaticide investigations. Specifically, this
article clarifies how neonaticide occurs by chronologically examining the pregnancy, the birth and death of the infant, the
subsequent crime scene (or scenes) and the pathological findings. The article also highlights the potential challenges that
may arise during investigation and prosecution of these cases in addition to providing the forensic community with recommended
investigative techniques.
law enforcement and prosecutors face unique challenges when investigating and prosecuting neonaticide; and a specialized,
informed approach is necessary. By highlighting the crime scene characteristics and autopsy findings of 55 neonaticide victims,
the authors hope to assist the law enforcement and legal communities in their neonaticide investigations. Specifically, this
article clarifies how neonaticide occurs by chronologically examining the pregnancy, the birth and death of the infant, the
subsequent crime scene (or scenes) and the pathological findings. The article also highlights the potential challenges that
may arise during investigation and prosecution of these cases in addition to providing the forensic community with recommended
investigative techniques.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-011-9362-8
- Authors
- Joy Lynn Shelton, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Behavioral Analysis Unit—III Crimes Against Children; FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135, USA
- Tracey Corey, Kentucky Medical Examiners Office, Louisville, KY USA
- William H. Donaldson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Behavioral Analysis Unit—III Crimes Against Children; FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135, USA
- Emily Hemberger Dennison, Department of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482