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Modus operandi of female serial killers
1Department of Psychology, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA.
Psychological Reports
|June 11, 1998
Summary
Female serial killers in other countries killed more victims per case. However, American female serial killers with a low-profile modus operandi had longer careers.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Forensic Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Understanding the behavior of serial offenders is crucial for law enforcement and public safety.
- Female serial killers represent a distinct subset of serial offending with unique characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the modus operandi of female serial killers globally.
- To identify factors influencing the duration and victim count of female serial killers' careers.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of 58 cases of female serial killers in America and 47 cases from 17 other countries.
- Analysis of case data compiled over 25-year intervals to identify trends.
Main Results:
- Female serial killers in countries outside America were associated with a disproportionately higher number of victims per case.
- American female serial killers employing a low-profile modus operandi demonstrated significantly longer killing careers.
Conclusions:
- Geographical location and chosen modus operandi significantly impact the predatory patterns of female serial killers.
- Low-profile strategies may enable prolonged criminal activity for female serial offenders in the United States.