Indian Serial Killers: A Quantitative Study of Offender Profiles (1997-2025)

Research into the profiles of serial killers has largely relied on generalisations derived from studies conducted in the United States and parts of Europe, limiting the applicability of such findings to culturally diverse contexts. The present study addresses this gap by examining the profiles of serial killers in India, the most populous country in the world. Adopting an exploratory descriptive research design, the study analyses 132 serial killers reported between 1997 and 2025 using a database constructed from both primary and secondary sources. Employing quantitative methods, the study examines key variables including spatial analysis, socio-economic characteristics, prior criminal history, and victim counts. The findings of the study largely aligned with existing literature while also identifying certain patterns that are unique to the Indian context.