Practical Homicide Investigation

Reviews / Votes

"Geberth has succeeded in the impossible. ... Practical Homicide Investigation, Fifth Edition, explains every aspect of a homicide investigation, with an easily understood, how-to approach from a professional who has been there. In my opinion, it is essential that the professional involved with the investigation and prosecution of a homicide have a copy.... This is the most outstanding and comprehensive encyclopedia on the tactics, procedures, and forensic techniques of homicide investigations."
-Philip G. Schnelwar, Attorney at Law, White Plains, New York

"This book leaves no question that now more than ever, a homicide investigation must be based on a mix of the practical and the scientific. In fact, the new chapters and revised materials, along with the descriptive photos in this text ... will place this edition in the category of a police text classic, an authoritative standard on the subject, and make this book the most complete homicide textbook available on the market today."
-Pierce R. Brooks (Deceased), from the Book's Foreword, Writing about the Previous Edition

"One of the most difficult aspects of homicide investigation...is to keep current and up-to-date with techniques, laws and procedures. Vernon Geberth continues to update and review critical matters...relating to the ever-changing world of homicide investigation. If you do not keep up to date with the latest techniques and investigative practices as Vernon explains them, you will wish you had when you are confronted with them on the witness stand at trial. I have prosecuted murder cases for over thirty years in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. This book and its accompanying Field Guide are used by me and our local investigators constantly."
-James Yontz, Deputy District Attorney, Pueblo, Colorado, USA

"Vernon Geberth, a retired NYC homicide detective, is a prominent forensic consultant and the recognized clearinghouse for all things related to death investigations. The 1st edition had become a veritable bible for investigators, so I could just imagine what a 5th edition offered. I couldn't wait to see it. At a crime scene, investigators should observe, describe, record anything they find, and use proper procedures to collect the evidence. This book goes over every known scenario: inside, outside, typical, atypical, straightforward, ambiguous, staged...you name it. In short, this book is impressive. Geberth leaves no stone unturned. I pride myself on my collection of unusual suicide cases, but he includes some in this book that riveted me."
-Psychology Today's "Shadow Boxing" blog June 2015, Katherine Ramsland. Katherine Ramsland, PhD, an expert on murder and serial crime, teaches forensic psychology and has published 46 books.

"This newly published 5th edition of Practical Homicide Investigation is 1226 pages in length, and ... is a collaboration of information made possible by the author, who has dedicated his life to providing the most up to date reference tool to homicide and death investigators and prosecutors throughout the country. This behemoth of a text continues that legacy ...which make this latest edition a valuable tool for any investigator charged with the 'profound duty and awesome responsibility,' of conducting a homicide or death investigation."
-Detective Mark J. Czworniak (retired), Chicago Police Department, Area North - Homicide Sex Crimes Unit

"This edition not only provides the scientific basis for homicide investigation, it also describes in intimate detail the procedures and techniques necessary for a comprehensive and successful investigation. The text is replete with photographs, drawings and illustrations ... including multiple case examples that are very clearly written and pertinent to the science as well as the practical procedures of homicide investigation. This is the most complete text available on the subject ... I highly recommend it to any officer involved in homicide investigation as well as forensic scientists."
-Ronald Turco, Past President, American Academy of Psychoanalysis and The American Society of Psychoanalytic Physicians, Former Reserve Police Officer of 30 years

"This is a must-have reference for all homicide detectives. This comprehensive opus is nothing less than a masterpiece. The amount of information packed into 1200 pages is astonishing ...truly a wonderful resource for all persons investigating and seeking to gain an understanding of every aspect of homicide. No question this text is the gold standard in the field. Truly a remarkable resource."
-Donna Pedergast, First Assistant District Attorney, Michigan Attorney General's Office

"Geberth, the world-wide expert on homicide investigation, is the real thing. His chapter on DNA is one of the most readable and comprehensive treatments on the subject. His expertise and clarity make this a must read. All of the twenty-four chapters have been excellently written and revised to make this textbook the continued recognized 'Bible of Homicide Investigation' for all members of the criminal justice and legal system."
-Edwin T. Dreher, Deputy Chief (Retired), Office of the Chief of Detectives, New York City Police Department

"The best book on death investigations just got better. I love the new book ... it has been significantly expanded and goes into even greater detail than Geberth's previous editions. The use of case studies to explain the importance of the different steps is magnificent. The information has been updated to acknowledge the increased role technology plays in death investigations. This is the ultimate manual for death investigations; every homicide investigator should own a copy and use it like a physician's desk reference."
-Larry Hallmark, Detective Lieutenant, Grapevine Texas Police Department

"Practical Homicide Investigation, Fifth Edition, will be your one-stop shopping resource for successful death investigations. The updates and additions are massive ... the incorporation of today's forensic and technological advances will keep you on the cutting edge of death investigations."
-Larry Thomas, Assistant Director, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (Ret.), BTK Serial Killer Task Force Supervisor

"Once again, Vernon Geberth has set a new standard for learned treatises in homicide investigation ... (the) Fifth Edition is thoughtful, provocative and, most of all, provides an expert guide for the men and women of our police forces."
-Charles S. DeAngelo, Esq., Attorney-at-Law

"Practical Homicide Investigation, Fifth Edition ...contains just about everything there is to know about death investigations and is a must read for anyone that investigates deaths and homicides."
-Heath Taylor, Sheriff, Russell County, Alabama

"[With] the first edition to this textbook ... and each successive edition, Practical Homicide Investigation has exemplified the most comprehensive and up-to-date compilation of homicide and death investigative knowledge available. This fifth edition is similarly an unsurpassed reference."
-Joseph A. Bobak IV, Ph.D., Professor of Criminology and Forensic Investigation, Mount Aloysius College

"This intelligent, all-encompassing book is a veritable encyclopedia for successful homicide investigations."
-Marvin Skeen, Chief Criminal Investigator, Office of Attorney General of Washington

"Vernon Geberth's Practical Homicide Investigation, Fifth Edition leverages his 46 years of experience with that of many colleagues to put everything you need to know about murder investigation in one place-at your fingertips."
-Pete Gagliardi, Author, The 13 Critical Tasks: An Inside-out Approach to Solving More Gun Crime, www.triplebarrelstrategies .com

"This comprehensive book is a must-have item for every detective and investigator to use as a guide and reference. Vernon's Fifth Edition successfully ties together the old-fashioned principles of good investigative police work with the latest advances of forensic science and technology."
-Tom Jordan, Judge, District Court, Center Hall, Pennsylvania

"Practical Homicide Investigation is to the police profession what the Physicians' Desk Reference is to the medical profession. In the Preface Geberth writes, 'A homicide investigator is street smart and book wise.' This Fifth edition is a one of a kind source that provides professionals the 'street smart' with 'book wise' in a very practical way."
-Anthony D. Magnetto, Police Commissioner (ret), City of Troy, NY Police Dept.