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Comparing single and serial homicide offenses.
Gretchen W Kraemer1, Wayne D Lord, Kirk Heilbrun
1Drake University, USA.
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|June 24, 2004
Summary
Serial homicide offenders primarily target women and strangers, often for sexual reasons. In contrast, single homicide offenders target men and women equally, with victims often being family or friends, typically motivated by anger.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Forensic Psychology
- Victimology
Background:
- Serial homicide garners significant public interest but lacks extensive empirical research.
- Understanding the characteristics of serial homicide is crucial for law enforcement and victim support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide empirical data on serial homicide offenders and victims.
- To compare serial homicide offenses with single homicide offenses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of demographic data from 157 serial homicide offenders and 608 victims.
- Comparison of a subsample of serial homicides with a control group of single homicides.
Main Results:
- Serial homicide offenders disproportionately target women and strangers.
- Single homicide offenders target men and women equally, with a higher frequency of victimizing family and friends.
- Sexual motivation is a primary driver for serial homicide, whereas anger is more common in single homicides.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences exist in victim selection and motivation between serial and single homicide offenders.
- This research provides a foundation for further empirical investigation into serial homicide patterns.