Crime Classification Manual

106 CRIME CLASSIFICATION MANUAL
For optimum lethality, the offender targets the victim’s head and chest. And
for a ritualistic attack (especially prevalent with a retaliatory killing), there is
methodical shooting of arms, knees, groin, and legs first, then chest and head.
An execution style of shooting is one other method employed with gang
murder. There are isolated incidents of torture, but these are rare and usually
occur only with an intragang conflict.
The victims who had gang involvement often have tattoos. Hispanic
gangs especially tend to have many intricate tattoos.
Investigative Considerations
“Intelligence is the basis for success of the entire investigation,” according
to Joe Hoolmes of the Sheriff Lynwood Gang Unit. Known gang conflicts
may also give direction to the investigation. Geographical considerations
quickly help classify a homicide: an area of concentrated activity will increase
the likelihood that the killing was gang motivated. Because gang
killings are usually public, there are frequently witnesses.
The type of homicide perpetrated by street gangs is reflecting their emergence
as more organized criminal operants. Some gangs are functioning as
contract killers. The largest percentage of gang killings are motivated by
drugs, with territory disputes and retaliatory killings the second and third
most common motives. One other motive for gang homicide is the intermingling
of a female from one gang or territory with the male of another.
Although many studies note the average gang is composed of males between
the ages of twelve and twenty-one who reside in poor, central areas of
cities with populations of more than 200,000, girl membership in gangs has
been increasing. Surveys of gangs in large cities indicate a wide variance in
ethnicity, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Caucasians.
The law enforcement officer should attempt to keep a log of the addresses
of gang members frequently seen together. Gang members often exchange
stolen goods, guns, and clothing that may connect them to an offense. If possible
the officer should keep Field Information Cards (FIC) and have gang
members sign the back of this information with their moniker (gang nickname)
and logo. Usually gang members are proud of this and will volunteer
to do so. The investigator should also have the gang member initial, sign, and
draw his gang graffiti on the back of the rights card when being interviewed.
This can prove helpful during prosecution for establishing the subject’s
membership or involvement with a gang.
Known gang conflicts may also give the investigator direction. For example,
Bloods do not fight each other, but Crips will fight each other. Also,
black versus Hispanic conflict is becoming more prevalent. The two groups
used to coexist peacefully.