Features about the intruder entrance and behavior:
(1) apparent point of entry not logical or reasonable, with a better one unused
(2) evidence that the intruder spent more time than necessary at the scene or acted unexpectedly
(3) time or location would place the intruder at a high risk of discovery
(4) absence of environmental signs (mud, water, footprints) inside
(5) tool marks inconsistent at the point of entry
(6) mechanism of entry not humanly possible
Features of a burglary:
(1) evidence that the home was occupied when the burglar entered
(2) valuables that would be attractive to a burglar are not disturbed
(3) articles of little economic value taken
Features of a sexual assault:
(1) body partially but not completely disrobed
(2) no evidence of an actual sexual assault
Features of the homicide:
(1) overkill
(2) depersonalization of the victim
(3) evidence that the victim was drugged with a sedative
(4) inconsistency in the selection of victims
(5) attempts to clean up the scene or evidence of undoing (ritualistic activities to seemingly reverse the murder)
(6) presence of injuries in the victim inconsistent with family member's story
Inconsistencies of the surviving family member:
(1) maneuvers friends or other family members to find the body
(2) claims to have been someplace else at the time of the crime without corroboration
(3) seen elsewhere at the presumed time of the assault, trying very hard to be seen by as many people as possible or emphasizing the time
(4) has relatively minor injuries
(5) claims to have been knocked unconscious but does not have a severe enough injury
(6) claims to have slept through intrusion despite evidence of a significant struggle
Other historical factors:
(1) financial problems with large insurance policy on the victim
(2) history of violence or abuse, with the victim planning to leave
(3) evidence of an affair by the surviving spouse
