15 - Serial Rape

Abstract

This chapter provides a fresh perspective on serial rape, looking not only at base definitions of rape and sexual assault but also at victim and offender characteristics, typologies of rape, and the variety of criminological theories that have been, or can be, used to explain rape and serial rape. These include psychodynamic theories and evolutionary theories; the latter sees rape as an attempt by males to ensure the survival of their blood line. This chapter concludes with a discussion of various forensic techniques that may be of use during the investigation of serial rape.