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The Structure of Crime-Scene Actions in Finnish Homicides

Police College of Finland

DAVID CANTER

University of Liverpool

THOMAS ELFGREN

Finnish National Bureau of Investigations

HELINÄ HÄKKÄNEN

Police College of Finland

The structure of crime-scene actions in Finnish homicides was analyzed using the theoretical distinction between instrumental and expressive aggression. Thirty-eight crime-scene actions were derived from the files of single-offender, single-victim Finnish homicides (N = 502). A multidimensional scaling procedure was used to investigate their structure. An expressive core indicating an emotional and impulsive attack without any indication of planning or post-mortem dealing with the body was found. Over 40% of the cases had no additional variables present. A distinction between expressive and instrumental types of aggression was observable in the rest of the crime-scene actions. The instrumental actions were further divided into subthemes indicating either a sexual or a resource-acquirement theme. Likewise, the expressive actions were divided into three subthemes, where the main emphasis had to do with the use of firearms, hiding and moving the body, and removing parts of the body.

Homicide Studies, Vol. 5, No. 4, 363-387 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/1088767901005004007


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