Criminal dismemberments: Victim, suspect, and incident attributes of decapitation‐only and dismemberment homicides

Abstract Using cases of criminal dismemberment in the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), we directly compared decapitation‐only and dismemberment homicides. We also explored clusters of victim, suspect, and incident variables, including how decapitation‐only and dismemberment homicides fit within the clusters. Victims who were only decapitated were more likely to be recovered in a residence and were more likely to be the suspect's child or other relative. Additionally, decapitated‐only victims were more likely to be a juvenile. Victims of decapitation‐only homicides were more likely to be linked to a suspect who was on scene when first responders arrived or was in acute mental health crisis compared with homicides in which the victims were dismembered. Dismemberment homicides were more likely to involve multiple suspects, movement of the body from the homicide location, or concealment of the body (burial, wrapping/placement of the body into a container). Adult victims under the age of 65 were more likely to be dismembered. The cluster analysis yielded results consistent with the direct comparison and identified a third cluster of incidents involving intimate partner violence between current/former romantic partners. Our findings highlight the utilitarian nature of most criminal dismemberments and counter stereotypes of offenders who target strangers or dismember while experiencing mental illness.