Abstract
ABSTRACT Although similar subtypes of sexual homicide have been described cross-nationally, no study has directly examined whether two samples from different jurisdictions are comparable. This study therefore aimed to examine whether any substantively meaningful subtypes of sexual homicide cases could be identified in each sample, and if so, whether these subtypes were similar across jurisdictions. Two samples of male sexual homicide offenders were compared: a Scottish sample (n = 89) and a Canadian sample (n = 150). Subtypes were identified in each sample using LCA, identifying a 3-class solution in each sample. Despite differences between samples on the bivariate level, two very similar subtypes (Controlled-Organized and Diverse) emerged in both samples. Despite differences at the bivariate level, the similarities at the multivariate level indicate similarities in underlying offence pathways which underpin heterogeneity in sexual homicide offenders. The similarities between the subtypes identified suggests potential universality of types of sexual homicides cross-nationally.
Highlights
Sexual homicide occurs where there is sexual arousal, behaviour or assault by a perpetrator just before, during or after killing a victim
The aim of the current study is : firstly, to compare sexual homicides committed in Scotland and Canada to examine whether they are similar with regards to victim and offence characteristics; and secondly, to examine whether any substantively meaningful subtypes of sexual homicide can be identified in each sample using variables available for the police, and, if so, whether these are comparable
Two samples of sexual homicide were gathered for the current study; one Scottish sample from the Scottish Homicide Database (SHD) held by Police Scotland, and one Canadian sample from the national database held by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Summary
Sexual homicide occurs where there is sexual arousal, behaviour or assault by a perpetrator just before, during or after killing a victim. While the definition of sexual homicide has been debated (Chan, 2015), and is often determined by police officers, leading to differing definitions in different jurisdictions, researchers in both North American and European countries have started to use a definition based on the FBI criteria (Ressler, Burgess, & Douglas, 1988). While sexual homicide is described in many jurisdictions (Proulx et al, 2018), but is uncommon, accounting for 1–4% of homicides (Chan & Heide, 2008; James & Proulx, 2014). It is unclear whether sexual homicide offences and offenders differ between jurisdictions, and if so how and why. Question marks remain over whether findings from one country apply in another, and whether samples can be pooled into large international cohorts, to allow for more substantiated and generalisable findings, and more
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