Typical “framing” behaviors

These behaviors often appear in combination rather than as a neat sequence.

• Changing cause/manner of death: Hanging staged as suicide, “accidental” shooting, or hunting mishap when injuries and scene dynamics actually indicate homicide.[homicidecenter +1]

• Rearranging the scene: Moving the body, placing weapons near the victim’s hand, overturning items to simulate a struggle, or removing/significantly cleaning specific areas.[practicalhomicide +1]

• Creating a false narrative: Claiming a burglary, sexual assault, or random stranger attack that the scene and victimology do not truly support.[ebsco +2]

• Planting or manipulating evidence: Positioning objects, personal items, or trace evidence so that another person appears connected, or trying to destroy evidence through arson.[practicalhomicide +1]

• Ad hoc lies after the fact: Giving stories that conflict with physical evidence, then adding new details or claiming memory gaps when confronted with contradictions.[tdcaa]