The Mafia has a number of rituals that it observes. When a person is murdered the killer may alter the body to send a specific message. In most cases the body just disappears, so finding the body in itself has a meaning.
Targets for messages:
(1) members of the organization
(2) rival groups
(3) police
(4) public at large
Finding
Message
some identifiable item with a dead fish
The person is at the bottom of the ocean (“sleeping with the fishes”)
dead canary in the mouth
The person was singing to the police.
money in the mouth
The person was greedy.
hands cutoff
The person shook the hands of the police.
hands preserved with gloves while rest of body treated with acid or base
To preserve the hands so that the body would be identified by fingerprints if discovered.
damage to eyes (shot in both eyes)
The person was blind or would not see.
damage to ears
The person would not listen.
damage to tongue
The person talked.
damage to the genitalia
A sign of disrespect or violated a rule about sex.
execution performed in public
The people who ordered the murder wants everyone to know “loud and clear”.
facial disfigurement
To send a message to other members of the organization.
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