Brutal facial injuries indicate that the killer knew the victim.

• A. False; They indicate the killer acted impulsively and did not know the victim
• B. True
• C. They indicate a crime committed with an accidental weapon
• D. They indicate a serial offender with no relationship to the victim

Answer: (B)

A brutal attack to the face often signals personal involvement and strong emotion directed at someone known to the offender. When someone hurtfully targets the face and delivers excessive damage (overkill), it reflects a close, personal relationship and a desire to express control, anger, or retaliation. This pattern tends to emerge in cases where the killer knows the victim, such as domestic or acquaintance violence, rather than in random, impersonal acts. While there are exceptions, the prevalence of facial overkill in known-relationships scenarios makes the statement that the killer knew the victim the best interpretation.