Domestic Violence and Homicide Investigations

Incidents of “Domestic Violence” occurs in every walk of life. Regardless of race, gender, social economic status, etcetera, domestic violence is found in the very fabric of society. The behavior can be isolative or a continuum of abuse. The abuse can be in the form of emotional, physical, sexual, financial, or other forms of abusive behavior. Inherent in domestic violence incidents is the potential for escalation of the abusive behavior resulting in criminal homicide.

Police professionals, tasked with responding to incidents of domestic violence, are at times faced with having to deescalate the incident, to investigating the complexities surrounding the abusive behavior. Those police professionals are directly positioned to break the “cycle of abuse” through those measures that are required to thoroughly investigate these domestic violence incidents.

This course is designed to provide the participants with an in-depth look at the “cause and effect” surrounding domestic violence and homicide and the necessary investigative measures that must be taken to stop the “cycle of abuse” and hold those criminal culpable for violations criminal law. Participants will be provided with strategies to assist them in their investigations of domestic violence. Additionally, participants will be provided key legislation surrounding domestic violence and the additional resources necessary to assist the victims in these abusive situations.

To accomplish the course objectives, the following topics will be covered in this course of instruction:

• Defining the Issue
• Type of Domestic Violence
• Prevalence Rates of Domestic Violence
• Covid -19 Effects on Domestic Violence
• Key Legislation Surrounding Domestic Violence
• Underlying Crimes in Domestic Violence
• Victimization Issues
• Identifying Those Who Offend
• Investigating the “Cause and Effect” of Domestic Violence Escalating Behavior Leading to Homicide
• Officer Safety Issues in Incidents of Domestic Violence
• Interview Approaches for Victims of Domestic Violence
• Strategies for Interviewing Offenders of Domestic Violence
• Masked Criminal Behavior - Removing the Mask
• Breaking the “Cycle of Violence”
• Prevention Measures Through a Multidisciplinary Response
• Identification and Utilization of Resources to Combat Domestic Violence