* Has the cadaver been branded or burned and is there a particular pattern?

* Are there any jewelry, charms, stones, talismen or amulets on or near the cadaver?

* Is there any evidence that jewelry is missing from the cadaver?

* Is there any colored string near the cadaver?

* Are there any occult ritual items or artifacts on or near the cadaver?

* Are there any oils, incense, perfumes, or potions poured or rubbed on the body?

* Are there any candle wax drippings on or near the cadaver? In any particular location, color and number?

* Are there any animal or human feces on the upper part of the cadaver, and is there any evidence such substances have been consumed?

* Is there evidence that hands or feet have been tied or shackled?

* Is there any sign of semen on or near the cadaver?

* Is there evidence of urine, feces, drugs, wine or other substances having been ingested?

* Is there evidence that smoke, water or blood has been collected in the lungs?

* Is blood absent from the cadaver?

* Is there any sign of semen in the cadaver?

Symbols Used by Various Occult Practitioners

The presence of symbols specific to an occult belief system may indicate that rituals were used by Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, Santerian, Palo Mayombe, or Satanic practitioners.

Rituals and Symbols Used by Pagans and Wiccans

As mentioned above, Neo-Pagans and Wiccans as a group rarely are involved in criminal activity directly connected to their beliefs. This, however, does not preclude the need for law enforcers to be familiar with their basic symbols and rituals; indeed, such familiarity may be even more important because it can help eliminate certain suspects during an occult investigation. The primary symbols and rituals involved in many Neo-Pagan and Wiccan covens are described in the box, "Casting the Wiccan Circle."

Rituals and Symbols Used In Santeria

The primary problem Santeria presents for law enforcers is the absence of standardized ceremonies or rituals. The only known ritual and ceremonial consistency is that altars of some sort are set up in homes where rites consisting of one or two people take place, or ceremonies consisting of two or more people occur. In essence, the rituals are of each santero's own making. He or she uses different animals and interprets the needs and orders of the orishas as they see fit; there is no consistency.

Thus, animal remains are difficult if not impossible to relate to a particular ritual or ceremony. According to specialist Marc Paulhus of the Humane Society of the United States, "Nobody can reliably look at animal remains and make an interpretation. No santero can interpret the sacrificial remains of another santero. Anyone who tells you any differently is kidding himself." (Pauthus, August 16, 1989.)

What law enforcers can do, however, is learn which ritualistic items are most often used in rites and ceremonies:

* herbs, roots, flowers;

* pieces of fruit, especially coconut, oranges and apples;

* parts of Ceiba tree, or palm and cedar substitutions;

* clothing in colors preferred by the orishas;

* pennies in multiples of seven;

* sacrificial animals and birds;

* animal blood and feathers;

* body oils;

* sea shells;

* corn kernels;

* iron tools.

The particular colors, symbols and sacrificial foods required to propitiate the Santerian gods are explained in the Syncretism Compared table.

Rituals and Symbols Used In Palo Mayombe

Rituals performed by the Mayombero always occur in private settings, sometimes in the home and sometimes outdoors.

Unlike Santeria, the ritual symbols and signs are kept outdoors in a shed or garage rather than in the home. If this is not possible, the objects are placed in an isolated area (closet or garage) not immediately visible and always apart from any Santeria symbols. The item most often used in a Palo Mayombe ritual is the iron cauldron or nganga:

"The sacred cauldron contains human bones (invariably a human skull, with or without long bones as well), sticks from the forest or wood, various herbs, feathers, railroad spikes, animal bones (skulls or other bones of various birds and sometimes turtles), small iron agricultural tools (rakes, picks, hoes, etc.), sacred stones, and other items which may be of special significance to the palero.

The most important of these items are the sacred stones and the human skull... The nganga contains other items which have ritual significance. Gunpowder, fula is used for divination purposes by placing small amounts in a row and observing how they burn. Sulfur is commonly used as an incense during the practice of malevolent sorcery. Azogue (quicksilver or mercury) is another important component since its ease of flow and movement is believed to vitalize and energize the nganga.

Mercury is also used in conjunction with vulture feathers and the skull to produce madness in an enemy. Ashes form another integral part of the nganga and are used for purification (when rubbed on the hands) and for defensive or aggressive magic." (Wetli and Martinez, 1983.)