dus operandi. Signature aspect should receive greater consideration than the modus operandi due to the fact that the signature aspect will never change and always have the same original theme as is displayed in the initial crime committed by the offender (3). When approaching a crime scene investigators should always look for behavioral clues left by the offender (6). Investigators may analyze crime scenes and uncover facts that may baffle them. These details may contain such unique peculiarities that serve no purpose in the action of the crime and obscure the underlying motive of the crime. Confusion caused by these seemingly useless clues may be the cause of a crime scene behavior called staging. Staging occurs when someone purposely alters a crime scene prior to the arrival of the police. This takes place for two reasonsto veer investigators away from the most logical suspect, or to protect the victim or the victims family. Most offenders with this type of behaviors do not just happen to stumble upon the victim walking down the street, but always have some kind of relationship or association with the victim. When in contact with law enforcement, this person will attempt to steer the investigation away from himself, usually by being overly cooperative or overly distraught. Investigators should never eliminate a suspect who displays such a distinctive behavior. When staging is used to protect the victim or the victims family, it occurs for the most part in rape-murder cases or autoerotic fatalities. Usually a family member or whoever finds the body will perform this type of staging. The perpetrators of the crime may leave the bodies in such degrading positions; those who find the body may attempt to restore some dignity for the victim. Essentially, these people are trying to prevent future shock that may be brought about the position, dress, or condition of the victim. For both types of staging, investigators need to obtain an accurate...
