Crime Classification Manual

Homicide 137
prison guard doing rounds found Cavaness hanging from the door by three
extension cords tied together and looped at one end with a slip knot. After a
futile resuscitation attempt, he was pronounced dead.
107.02: COMMERCIAL PROFIT
Commercial profit homicide is murder to gain control of a business or to
profit from the business.
Defining Characteristics
Victimology. Victimology is the primary point that contrasts this type of
murder with individual profit murder (classification 107.01). The victim in
this type of murder is more likely to have a partner or professional relationship
with the offender; however, this does not exclude a familial or personal
relationship with the offender.
Crime Scene Indicators Frequently Noted. Crime scene indicators are the
same as those for individual profit murder: a continuum from the spontaneous
and haphazard murder to the well-executed one.
Staging. Staging is the same as for individual profit murder. It depends on
the resources, sophistication, and degree of premeditation of offender.
Common Forensic Findings. Forensic findings range from violent to accidental
to natural death.
Investigative Considerations
In a commercially motivated homicide, the business relationship and corporate
structure should be checked. As in individual profit murder, the offender’s
preoffense financial status should be examined. In addition, the victim’s preoffense
status should be checked, because motive for the killing could be that
the victim was costing the company money (through faulty investments, ineffectual
business decisions, or alcohol problems, for example).
The net worth of the victim, as well as the net worth solvency of the business,
is important. For example, a business having difficulties may be bailed
out by a business partner’s life insurance. This may be seen by a correlation
of impending business failure with purchase of the policy.
Search Warrant Suggestions
Business records and the suspect’s and victim’s financial records are search
warrant suggestions. Additional suggestions are those presented for individual
profit murder (see classification 107.01).