https://www.mediafire.com/file/sba49uio8xvy9l7/CJ+342_Chapter+9.pdf/file
Case Study: The Investigation of the “BTK” Killer
Wrongful death investigations are among the highest priority in the criminal investigation field. With this in mind, please read the following case information and answer the discussion questions to the best of your ability using class material.
Dennis Lynn Rader is a serial killer who murdered at least 10 people in Sedgwick County, Kansas between 1974 and 1991. He was known as the BTK killer, which stands for bind, torture, and kill, an apt description of his modus operandi. Rader causally described his victims as his “projects” and at one point likened the murders of his victims to killing animals by saying he “put them down.” He created a “hit kit” of items he would use during murders (e.g., guns, tape, rope, and handcuffs). Rader developed a pattern for his murders by wandering the city, finding a victim, and stalking the victim to learn the individual’s pattern to maximize his attack. He would strangle his victims until they lost consciousness, then let them revive, then strangle them again – repeating the pattern, forcing them to experience near-death situations, and becoming sexually aroused at the sight of their struggles. Finally, Rader would strangle them to death.
Rader sent taunting letters to police and newspapers, including a letter stashed at the library and another sent to the media. All of Rader’s communications were poorly written, with many misspellings and incorrect grammar usage. In March 2004, a series of 11 communications with BTK led directly to his arrest in February 2005. In June 2004, a package was found taped to a stop sign in Wichita containing graphic descriptions of some BTK murders. In July 2004, a package was dropped into the return slot at the downtown public library containing more bizarre material, including the claim that he, BTK, was responsible for the death of a 19-year-old. On February 16, 2005, Rader sent a floppy disk to Fox TV station KSAS in Wichita. Police forensic analysis quickly determined that the disk had been used by the Christ Lutheran Church in Wichita; the analysis also recovered the name Dennis. An internet search determined that Rader was president of this church; Rader was arrested on February 25. Additionally, the police investigation was benefitted by police surveillance of Radar, a warrant for the medical records of Rader’s daughter Kerri, and a test of tissue sample seized. At the time of arrest, Rader was stopped while driving near his home and taken into custody by law enforcement officials, including a Wichita Police bomb unit truck, two SWAT trucks, and FBI and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) agents. He confessed after two hours of interrogation.
Using the context from the excerpt and class material from Chapter 9, answer the following discussion questions in paragraph form.
Discussion Questions:
- Using class material and the information presented in this case, how do you think the police used death investigation techniques to aid in the identification and capture of the BTF killer.
- Given this case, what are your thoughts on the importance of how police communicate with potential suspects and the public during an investigation?
