38: What Kinds Of Forensic Evidence Will Be Key In Gilgo Beach Murders Case?

In a recent episode of the podcast Hidden Killers, Tony Brueski
was joined by Joseph Scott Morgan, a Forensic Scientist and
Distinguished Scholar of Applied Forensics at Jacksonville State
University. The discussion delved into the intricate facets of
forensic evidence related to an ongoing case involving a
suspected serial killer.
 
At the onset, Morgan detailed the challenges of investigating
cases where the bodies have been in a state of decomposition for
several years. "We don't have a lot of solid data relative...
about causes of death," he shared, linking the gaps in
information to the advanced decomposition of the remains. The
forensic scientist also touched upon patterns typically exhibited
by serial killers in their modus operandi, indicating that most
do not deviate from their preferred methods of execution.
 
He highlighted the case of one killer from New Orleans who
derived perverse pleasure from using a garrot. Such killers revel
in the physical pain they inflict, with the act of murdering
becoming an intimate and personalized endeavor. This gruesome
insight shed light on the psychology of serial killers and their
attachment to certain methods of killing.
 
One of the more perplexing aspects of the case at hand is the
varying states of the bodies found - some intact and others
dismembered. Morgan stated, "What's fascinating about her [Fire
Island Jane Doe] case is that her... legs were found that fateful
day out on Fire Island back in 96... there's still no torso with
her." This begs the question: why would a killer leave some
bodies intact and yet take the time to dismember others?
 
Discussing this dichotomy further, Morgan posited a theory that
the dismemberment could be a sign that the killer had more time
with certain victims. "Is the dismemberment an indication that a
subject may have had more time with someone they had targeted to
kill?" Morgan mused. "It takes time to take a body apart... They
would have done this, wrapped it and deposited it out there." On
the contrary, other bodies might have been disposed of in haste,
possibly wrapped in materials like burlap.
 
Contrasting these behaviors, Morgan underlined the difference
between treating a dead body with a semblance of respect versus
mutilating it. These variations can be significant when trying to
understand the psyche of a serial killer and can give insights
into their evolving patterns.
 
Yet, this very evolution is what baffles investigators. "To
change how you're disposing of bodies is certainly an outlier in
my experience," Morgan expressed. Brueski echoed the sentiment,
pointing out that it's bizarre for one's methods to alter so
drastically unless it's a sign of evolving behavior.
 
Adding a layer of complexity, the location of these bodies was
discussed. The secluded nature of Long Island was emphasized,
with its isolation being a potential factor in why it was chosen
for body deposition.
 
A more unsettling aspect was the return of the suspected killer's
family to their home, presumably a site of significant forensic
evidence. The speed with which the house was released back to the
family after investigations left both Brueski and Morgan
shocked.
 
The podcast episode served as a sobering reminder of the
complexities of forensic investigations, especially with serial
killers. Morgan's insights provided a deep dive into the often
unfathomable minds of those who commit such heinous acts, leaving
listeners with more questions than answers about the ongoing
case. As the investigation unfolds, both the public and experts
alike await to see how forensic science will unveil the truths
hidden within the evidence.
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