A Case Control Study of Non-Domestic Solved and Un-Solved Homicides in Trinidad and Tobago

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Overview

1.2 Why is this Study Important?

1.3 Thesis Outline

2. Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Definition of Homicide Detection Rate

2.3 Homicide Detection Rates as a Measure of Performance

2.4 Measurement Issue about Detection Rates

2.5 Theoretical Frameworks on Homicide Detection

2.6 Reasons for Decline in Homicide Detection Rates

2.6.1 Changes in the nature of homicides

2.6.2 Changes in the nature of police resources

2.6.3 Changes in the Behavior of Witnesses

2.7 The Investigation of Homicide

2.8 Forensic Evidence in Homicide Investigations

2.9 Political Influence on Homicide Investigation

2.10 Case Characteristics and Solvability Factors

2.11 The Wellford and Cronin (1999) Study

2.12 Summary of Literature Review

3. Methods

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research setting

3.3 Definitions

3.4 The Choice of Research Design

3.5 Data Sources

3.6 Data Extraction, Cleaning and Exclusion Rules

3.7 Data Limitations and Issues

3.8 Other Limitations of the Data

3.9 Selection of the Case Control

3.10 Investigative and Solvability Factors Checklists

3.11 Populating the Checklists

3.12 Data Analysis

3.13 Data Protection and Ethics

3.14 Summary

4. Results

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Description of the Data

4.3 Non-Domestic Homicides by Motive

4.4 Spatial Distribution

4.5 Average Geographic Detection Rates

4.6 Temporal Distribution

4.7 Homicide Victims by Ethnicity

4.8 Homicides by victims per homicide

4.9 Homicide by offenders per homicide

4.10 Homicide by Weapon Type

4.11 Frequency of Investigative Variables

4.12 Frequency of the Solvability Factors

4.13 META-ANALYSIS RESULTS

4.13.1 Investigative Variables

4.13.2 Forrest Plot of Investigative Variables

4.13.3 Solvability Factors

4.13.4 Forest Plot of Solvability Factors

4.13.5 Results of Latent Class Analysis

4.14 Summary of Results

5. Discussion

5.1 Introduction

5.2 INVESTIGATIVE VARIABLES

5.2.1 Positive Association

5.2.2 Negative Association

5.2.3 Uncertain

5.2.4 Overall Results

5.3 SOLVABILITY FACTORS

5.3.1 Positive Association

5.3.2 Negative Association

5.3.3 Uncertain

5.3.4 Latent Classes

5.3.5 Other Considerations

5.4 Implications

5.5 Recommendations for Future Research

5.6 Limitations of the study

5.7 Summary of Discussion

6. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Key Topics

The primary aim of this research is to identify the factors that differentiate solved from unsolved non-domestic homicides in Trinidad and Tobago during the 2008-2014 period. The study investigates two main research questions: whether structured investigative approaches are associated with higher case resolution and if specific homicide characteristics correlate with an increased likelihood of detection.

• Application of a case-control research design to homicide data.
• Meta-analysis of 21 investigative variables and 16 solvability factors.
• Utilization of Latent Class Analysis to categorize homicide investigation outcomes.
• Evaluation of police performance and the impact of evidence-based investigative practices.

Extract from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: This chapter establishes the importance of the study, focusing on the high homicide rates in Trinidad and Tobago and the necessity of improved detection for deterrence.

Literature Review: This section explores existing research on homicide detection rates, investigative processes, and the role of forensic evidence and solvability factors.

Methods: This chapter outlines the case-control research design, data extraction processes from police databases, and the analytical techniques including meta-analysis and Latent Class Analysis.

Results: The chapter presents findings on non-domestic homicides, including spatial and temporal distributions, and identifies the predictive power of various investigative variables and solvability factors.

Discussion: This section interprets the study's results in the context of policing practices, addressing why certain variables associated with solved cases in previous studies did not perform as expected locally.

Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the main findings, reiterates the importance of evidence-based investigative practices, and offers recommendations for future criminological research.

Keywords

Non-domestic homicides, case-control research design, odds ratio meta-analysis, latent class analysis, investigative variables, solvability factors, homicide detection rate, Trinidad and Tobago, police performance, forensic evidence, witness cooperation, criminal investigation, police legitimacy, evidence-based policing, crime scene management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research study?

The study focuses on identifying the specific factors that differentiate between solved and unsolved non-domestic homicide cases within the jurisdiction of Trinidad and Tobago from 2008 to 2014.

What are the central themes examined in this work?

The central themes include homicide detection rates, the standard of the homicide investigation process, and the identification of empirical solvability factors that assist in solving cases.

What is the primary research objective?

The primary objective is to determine if adopting structured investigative approaches and focusing on identified solvability factors can improve the low homicide detection rates observed in Trinidad and Tobago.

Which methodology was employed to analyze the homicide data?

The researcher utilized a retrospective case-control study design, performing an odds ratio meta-analysis and Latent Class Analysis on 200 selected cases to determine the influence of various variables.

What topics are covered in the main body of the thesis?

The main body covers the theoretical frameworks of homicide detection, the impact of police resources, the role of forensic evidence, and an analysis of how specific investigative actions and case characteristics affect case outcomes.

Which keywords best characterize this study?

Key terms include Non-domestic homicides, case-control research design, odds ratio meta-analysis, latent class analysis, investigative variables, and solvability factors.

Why was the case-control research design considered most appropriate?

The design was chosen because it is powerful and efficient for retrospective research, allowing for the comparison of two groups (solved vs. unsolved) to identify predictive attributes that differentiate their outcomes.

What was the role of the Wellford and Cronin (1999) study?

The Wellford and Cronin study served as the empirical foundation for this thesis, providing the conceptual framework and a set of investigative variables and solvability factors used to analyze the Trinidad and Tobago data.

What significance do the identified 'latent classes' hold?

The three identified latent classes—"Easy," "Normal," and "Difficult"—provide a novel way for police decision-makers to categorize cases and predetermine the resource requirements needed for an optimal investigation.