Discovery Series | Spooky Science: Defining Forensic Occultism

Forensic occultisms definition starts with defining the occult. In Nile Green’s article, the occult is defined as a “bicultural and trans cultural channel of religious creativity and connectivity” (p. 383. 2015). This definition suggests that the occult is a cultural phenomenon where those who ascribe to the religion follow an innovative and unique system of beliefs. However, this definition is not agreeable with other uses of the term. According to Florida International University Libraries, the word occult comes from the Latin term occultus, meaning “hidden, secret, or unknown,” creating the term occult which is referred to as knowledge that must be hidden, or knowledge meant for certain people. Despite this definition, when the term occult is used today, especially in the field of forensic science, it is associated with paganism, satanism, and other new age religions. In an article written by Kenneth Lanning1, occult is used interchangeably with satanic and ritualistic (1989).

However, in a different definition, the term occult is used interchangeably with Satanic and alternative belief system, though noting this does not “imply they are the same thing.” Additionally, this definition states occult does not denote evil or Satanic (Crews, 2015, p. 4).

With the definitions listed above, let’s define the term “occult.” Occult is associated with the hidden or unknown (Florida International University Libraries Editor) and non-traditional belief systems (Green, 2015, p. 383.) (Crews, 2015, p. 4), induces connectivity, creating an interconnected, global community (Green, 2015, p. 383), and does not necessitate evil nor satanic (Crews, 2015, p. 4). Taking this into consideration, a proper definition of occult is the global community of individuals who practice or believe in non-traditional supernatural practices and seek hidden or unknow knowledge. However, this is not all-encompassing. When discussing the term ‘forensic occultism,’ the definition faintly changes. Occultism, in terms of forensics, is not limited to alternative belief systems or non-traditional practices. Rather it envelopes all groups and practices associated with the supernatural or otherworldly, including traditional and non-traditional beliefs. According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, forensics denotes relating to or used in the court of law. With these definitions ‘forensic occultism’ can be defined as the application of the law to crimes associated with an individual’s or group’s religious or belief systems.

Though forensic occultism is a newly emerging label, the field is historic. One of the most notable instances of forensic occultism was the Salem Witch Trials. In Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693, more than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft, with at least 20 executed (Blumberg, 2007, p. 1). Several women were interrogated after being accused of being witches. During the questioning Tituba, a Caribbean, slave confessed to serving the Devil (Blumberg, 2007, p. 1-2). In this series of trials, though biased and poorly executed, the law was applied to the supernatural through investigations and legal trial.

Another historic trial was the Werewolf trials in various areas of Europe. Similar to the Witch Trials of Salem, those accused of being werewolves were thought to be working with the devil. Thiess of Kaltenbrun, the Livonian werewolf, was tried for witchcraft and being an associate of the Devil. Though he admitted to once being a werewolf, he specified that it was only to go to Hell and fight for humanity in wolf form (Ginzburg and Lincoln, 2020, p. 14). In the case of the werewolf trials, those accused were taken to court where they gave testimony and received sentencing.

In 1897, jurors convicted Edward Shue of first-degree murder for killing his wife. No initial suspicions arose around the circumstances of the death of Zona Shue, Shue’s wife, until a ghost appeared to Zona’s mother. This ghost was the spirit of Zona, and for four nights appeared at the foot of her bed to tell her facts about her own murder. She recounted a history of physical abuse from Edward and said her neck was broken at the top, proving this by turning her head 180 degrees. With this ghastly encounter, Mary Heaster, Zona’s mother, convinced a local prosecutor to reopen the case. Upon reinvestigation, it was discovered that Edward had a history of violence, with his 2nd wife also dying mysteriously. A more through autopsy was performed on Zona which resulted in the discovery of a contused esophagus, fracture of the first and second cervical vertebrae, and bruising consistent with finger marks on her neck. Edward was then tried for first-degree murder where Heaster gave her testimony, including the instances of Zona’s ghost appearing to her. It took the jury only one hour and ten minutes to find Edward guilty of murdering his wife (Rodgers, 2017). This is one of the only occurrences where testimony from a ghost was admissible in court as evidence.

Forensic occultism is not limited to only supernatural occurrences. An iconic case of forensic occultism was the Jonestown Massacre. After assassinating a congressman, 900 followers of Jim Jones killed themselves with cyanide (Barker, 1986, p. 330). The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-Day Saints is another infamous cult led by several men, one being Warren Jeffs. Texas seized over 1,000 acres of land and took over 400 children into state custody after allegations of sexual abuse. Jeffs was later sentenced to serve at least 45 years in prison (Johnson, 2018). This list of cults goes on, including but not limited to The Church of Scientology, The Westboro Baptist Church, Heaven’s Gate, Raelian, Aum Shinrikyo, Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate, the Family International, and the Klu Klux Klan (Abromaitye, 2020) (Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and Peoples Temple Editors, 2013) (O’Hare, 2020) (Church of Scientology).

It is important to note the purpose of this article is not to explain why some admitted to being supernatural or to prove the existence of the supernatural. Rather it is meant to address supernatural phenomenon and belief and religion in regard to the law and forensics. These few cases mentioned above are minute compared to the number of actual occurrences of forensic occultism. In Saudi Arabia, the religious police have a specialized Anti-Witchcraft Unit, aggressively prosecuting those accused (Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice). New Orleans has laws regulating fortunetelling (Municode Library), San Francisco has laws requiring permits for necromancy, fortunetelling, or other practices related to psychic powers (American Legal Publishing Corporation), and in Maryland, many municipalities require permits for fortunetelling (Maryland Code Local Government Division). Despite one’s belief in the realness of the supernatural, it reaches far and wide and is seen in everyday life. Forensic occultism is critical to the field of forensic science.

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