Deadly connections: Exploring body disposal patterns in homicides through victim-offender relationships

Abstract

Delayed recovery of homicide victims’ bodies poses a risk of losing crucial evidence. Body disposal sites are critical for investigations, yet existing research has mainly focused on them as a sub-category. Through an environmental criminology approach, the purpose of this research is to conduct an exploratory spatial data analysis to examine the spatial patterns of known body disposal sites as they relate to victim-offender relationships. A sample of 743 homicide cases sourced from the Homicide Investigation Tracking System (HITS) database was used in this study. Spatial patterns of known body disposal sites in Washington state were examined utilizing ArcGIS mapping and spatial statistics. Results showed significant clustering of body disposal sites within five counties in Washington State. Victims with an intimate relationship to the offender were disposed of closest to where they were last seen, often with signs of attempts to destroy evidence. In stranger-related cases, bodies were typically found farthest from major cities in remote wooded areas but were discovered sooner. Sex worker victims were disposed of farthest from their last known location and took the longest to be discovered. The implications of spatial factors and victim-offender relationships, and understanding how offenders select disposal sites—whether in residential, remote, or accessible locations—are discussed in relation to investigative efforts