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OCCULT INVESTIGATIONS
 
This web site has evolved due to an increasing demand by Law Enforcement agencies for answers to a growing problem of crimes involving Satanism, Witchcraft/Wicca and Santeria/Brujeria.

Law enforcement has seen a growing problem in the field with many strange and unusual crimes. How are officers to answer questions concerning these crimes when they do not understand the problem they are dealing with.  Animals with legs and heads cut off, no blood in the body, child sacrifices and many more strange crime scenes and tales.

It is the intent of this web site to supply some basic answers to the growing phenomenon of ritual crimes and its reflection in criminal activity.

 
LEGAL ISSUES
"Right to freedom of  religion, speech, press, assembly, petition. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition  the government for a redress of grievances."
I Amendment, Constitution of the United States of America
 

We as law enforcement officer may not act in any manner so as to interfere with the religious practices  of any church. Only when a religious group commits a clear cut criminal violation may we respond. When conducting an investigation we must remain objective in relation to religious beliefs we encounter that may not coincide with our own. Do not allow you own religious beliefs or pressure from other religious groups to prompt you to over react to the situation or to react prematurely. Remember it is your duty to protect every person's right to practice the religion of their choice. Always consult your local prosecutor prior to filing any criminal charges.

 
CRIMES
Crimes frequently encountered by law enforcement officers investigating occult groups: Items to look for at crimes scenes or to be listed in search warrant applications:
Coffins
Flash Powder
Smoke Bombs
Mirrors
Chalice, Goblets, Cruets
Phallus
Bells
Drums
Gongs
Robes
Crosses
Alters (wooden stands or marble slabs)
Swords, Knifes, Wooden Staffs, Wands
Ashes from Fire Pits
Black Gloves for Right Hand
Human or Animals Bones, Flesh or Blood
Ritual Books, Black Books, Diaries, Book of Shadows, Grimores
Crowns
Body Paints
Incense
Ferns & Palms
Animals or Horror Mask
Bull Whips, Cat O'Nine Tails, Ligatures
Small Cages
Mockery of Christian Symbols
Silver Implements
Bowls of Colored Powder or Salts
Skulls
 
 
 
 
   SATANISM 

Satanism  primarily arrived in America around the beginning of this century.  The first churches were founded in Los Angeles, California, Washington, D. C. and Vancouver, British Columbia. These churches were opened under the name of Ordo Templi Orentis (OTO).

Satanist worship the devil as well as themselves. Many join this religion in an attempt to acquire power or control over others and control over their own destiny.  One of the primary factors attracting people is the acceptance into the group  no matter their social status or any thing that they may have done. This is seen in the Satanist primary rule. "Do What Thou Wilt, Shall be the Whole of the Law."

Satanist frequently borrow rituals, symbols and other things from many different religions. It is this borrowing that makes it difficult to classify satanic groups and ritual sites when encountered. The Satanist usually follows the holiday observances of other pagan groups. The primary exception is  that normally the highest holiday for the Satanist is their own birthday.

 Satan Net
 The Documentation of Satanism
 Altar of Unholy Blasphemy

 
 
 
 
 
 

     WITCHCRAFT/WICCA 
 
Wicca is a system of religious beliefs that pre-dates Christianity and is based upon ancient beliefs and rituals from the old religion (Paganism).  The basic Wicca group is called a coven. Usually the coven is made up of 13 members, but sometimes this may be affected by the area and availability of members. The coven is presided over by a priest or a priestess, or both. Wicca has a large following among woman, due to the fact that this is the only religion which recognizes a female deity.  Wiccans practice magick to help their fellow humans and to help maintain harmony in the universe. The practice of Wiccan magick is always done for good purposes.

Wiccans practitioners use the pentacle and pentagram in the traditional orientation with one point up and two down. (Caution should be used when evaluating crime scenes. Remember that Satanist frequently borrow symbols from other religious groups.) Candles are frequently used in ritual by Wiccans. The color of the candles are important and may be used in attempting to learn what type of ritual is being performed. The use of  "books of shadows" or grimores by practitioners may be seen by investigators. These books  usually contains information about the coven, rituals, and personal spells and magick. Investigators may find this book written in a alphabet that is strange to the investigator.

When an investigator converses with a Wiccan, they should avoid using occult terms unless they know the correct meaning, example:
 

 
For this reason investigators should avoid using terms that they are not familiar with, because there miss use may cause offense with the person to whom they are attempting to interview.
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOLIDAYS
January 7                    St. Winebald
February 25                St. Walpurgis
March 21                    Spring Equinox
May                           Beltane
June 20-23                  Litha (Summer Solstice)
August 21                   Lughnasad
September 20-23         Mabon (Fall Equinox)
October 31                 Samhain (Halloween)
 
 
 Witch's' League for Public Awareness - Salem, Mass.
 
  Witch's League For Public Awareness, North Carolina
 
 
 

 
 

  SANTERIA/BRUJERIA 
Santeria and Brujeria are blends of African religion and Christianity. It literally means the worship of saints. It is a deception of African deities (Gods) in facsimile of Christian saints. This religion is very popular among Latinos and Cubans. Practice of these religions is growing rapidly in the Southwestern and Southeastern United States. Santeria, also called Yorbu is considered the good or white magick. The evil or black magick of this religion group is called Brujeria or Palo Mayombe.  Brujeria centers around the spirits of the dead. An item found frequently in these religious systems is the  Ngang, a sacred cauldron used in magick rituals.

In this religion each person is born with a particular guardian (Santo - Saint) that must be worshipped.  Part of the rituals involve herbs, roots, flowers, plants, oils, candles and other items. There are over 500 herbs associated with these religions.

A priest in these religions are referred to as a Santero. Persons may become a Santero after going through a year or longer initialization ritual. This ritual involves periods of taboos, animal sacrifices and magico religious activities.
 
Dictionary of Afro-Carribbean Deities
 Santeria
 
 
This is only a brief look at the basic occult religions. Today there are over one thousand  religions which are classified as occult. This is only offered as a basic guide to assist in starting an occult investigation.