Sexual homicide by adolescents

Sexual homicide encompasses murders that are sexual in nature. The limited literature on sexual homicide by juveniles is reviewed in conjunction with pertinent studies from the adult literature. Three cases studies of sexual murder by adolescents are presented. These boys were evaluated clinically as well as by administration of a structured diagnostic interview (DSM-III-R version of the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents). Sexual homicide by adolescents, an infrequent and poorly understood form of violent behavior, is proposed as a valid and distinct form of juvenile murder with serious prognostic implications.