The first part of the handbook covers ways of coping after tragedy, and the emphasis is on reactions to murder, special factors in grief, how to find help, recovery and healing, coping as a family, loss of a child, and helping children with grief. The second part of the handbook focuses on the criminal justice system and includes information on the medical examiner, the police department, the U.S. Attorney's office, the trial process, sentencing, typical stages of homicide cases, how the criminal justice system work, and homicide charges and classifications. Resources for families of murder victims are listed, and a crime victims bill of rights is included.