Construing the Construction Processes of Serial Killers and Other Violent Offenders: 1. The Analysis of Narratives

Abstract

This article presents analyses of two narratives: a book written by a serial killer, Ian Brady, and an autobiographical account written by a serially violent offender. In both cases, the narrative was subjected to a content analysis and converted to a textual grid. It is argued that narratives provide not only a means of better understanding the violent offender's view of the world and the choices he or she has made but also a potentially useful therapeutic option with such individuals.