Serial Sexual Murderers Research Articles

Sexual assault/rape and serial sexual homicide: Clinical and investigative considerations.

The frequent absence of a documented history of sexual assault/rape in the prior research on serial sexual murderers is curious. In order to address several methodological problems in prior research, a closed-case archival review of a nonrandom national sample of 53 serial sexual homicide cases was conducted which identified 14 offenders with a history of sexual assault/rape for an overall prevalence rate of 26.4%. Of the 14 offenders with a prior known history of sexual assault/rape, 11 (78.6%) sexually penetrated at least one of their homicide victims at the crime scene. Implications for investigation of serial sexual homicide as well as for further understanding of this exceptionally rare crime are presented.

Tout ce que vous avez toujours voulu savoir sur le sadisme sexuel (sans jamais oser le demander)

Our perception of individuals who engage in sadistic sexual practices has long been influenced by media coverage of highly severe sexual offenses, typically sadistic sexual homicides. Indeed, most people associate sexual sadism with the names of serial sexual murderers such as Ted Bundy or Guy Georges. However, the psychological profile and behaviors of these individuals are in no way representative of the profile of individuals in the general population who practice sadistic sexual activities in a consensual context. In addition from what seems to be a growing number of individuals engaging in consensual sadistic sexual activities, scientific findings (e.g.: population surveys) and certain popular culture successes (e.g.: books) reflect that what have been stigmatized and “deviant” in the past may have been unjustifiably labeled as such. The tremendous success of E. L. James's Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy of erotic novels, which showcases initiation into sexual practices involving several declinations of sadism, bondage and sexual submission, supports this argument. With over 125 million print and electronic copies sold worldwide in 2015, it is in itself an interesting marker of an interest towards sexual sadism within the general population. In this interview with Jean-Pierre Bouchard, Jonathan James, Alexandre Gauthier, Étienne Garant, Ingrid Ménard and Tamsin Higgs present the current state of knowledge on sexual sadism, both in terms of consensual sadistic sexual practices as well as the engagement in coercive and illegal sadistic sexual behaviors.

Les auteurs d’homicides sexuels : psychopathologie, processus de passage à l’acte et prise en charge clinique

Our perception of sexual murderers has long been influenced by the mediatization of the most spectacular of these crimes–crimes that stand out by virtue of their extreme cruelty and violence, and by the degradation of the victims. Consequently, public opinion has been partly forged by the questions raised by such descriptions: How can anyone be so insensitive to others and driven by such destructive urges? How can these individuals derive any positive experience from such extremely violent acts? But although they are anchored in actual events, these impressions of sexual murderers are not accurate portraits of these individuals’ true nature. While sadistic and serial sexual murderers do in fact exist, they nevertheless remain the threes that hide the forest. Through this interview, our objectives are to take stock of the phenomenon from an epidemiological point of view, to indicate the impact that this type of crime can have on community life, to define what it corresponds to, to describe the characteristics of the different types of sexual homicide offenders, but also to provide indications as to their risk of recidivism and recommendations concerning their clinical management.

Is Serial Sexual Homicide a Compulsion, Deviant Leisure, or Both? Revisiting the Case of Ted Bundy

Serial homicide for personal gratification is often commonly assumed to be driven by an underlying psychiatric compulsion, characterized by loss of control. This article briefly summarizes the behavioral science literature on serial homicide before then focusing on such behavior as a potential form of deviant leisure, which, because of the leisure criterion of relative autonomy, presents challenges to assumptions that killing is primarily an uncontrollable compulsion. Specifically, the case of Ted Bundy, one of the most prolific and well-known American serial sexual murderers, was analyzed to explore whether or not leisure concepts were embedded within interview content and forensic case documents; and if so, how such concepts may have functioned within a homicidal behavior process. Analysis focused on identifying potential leisure-related concepts embedded within transcripts of first-person interviews of Bundy conducted by Michaud and Aynesworth (2000), while subsequently using forensic documents from victim cases to classify homicidal activities according to basic categories of the Leisure Behavior Inventory (Ragheb, 1980). Findings provide unique insights into the complex motivations and behaviors associated with serial murder.

Исследование психологических особенностей личности и поведения серийных сексуальных убийц различных типов

The article focuses on the research on psychological personality features and behavior of different serial sexual murderers’ types. The issue highlights the importance of the researched problem for juridical psychology and law enforcement practice. The article also presents methodological and methodical basis for the research. It describes research tasks and hypothesis, empirical evidence. The article focuses on core research results and points out methodical development established on the basis of the research results to solve the tasks for law enforcement practice. The article highlights the range of factors determining the criminal aggression; it defines the categories of “clean” and “mixed” types of serial sexual murderers; the article sets up the character of how these factors influence on forming the motivation and the mechanisms for criminal aggression implementation among different types of serial sexual murderers; the article underlines the difference of the last ones based on the features of criminal and pre-criminal behavior and on the personality peculiarities; the issue reveals the signs-markers that typologically differentiate serial sexual murderers.

Sexual murderers in everyday life

The objective of this study was to develop a psychosocial profile of sexual murderers and characterize their life context at the moment they decided to commit homicide—in some cases, on repeated occasions. To this end, serial sexual murderers (SSMs, n = 33) and nonserial sexual murderers (NSMs, n = 87) were compared in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, general and sexual lifestyles, criminal behaviors, cognitions, stressful events, and motivation to commit sexual homicide. The results of this study indicate that sexual murderers are marginalized individuals who are dissatisfied with their lives and whose crimes are triggered by stressful events. However, unlike NSMs, SSMs have a psychosocial profile and the criminal skills that allow them to avoid arousing the suspicion of neighbors and police. Moreover, the sexual tension they experience daily motivates them to commit carefully planned crimes. Taken together, these characteristics partially explain why these individuals are more likely than NSMs to commit a series of sexual homicides. While sexual homicide is an extreme phenomenon, it is nevertheless primarily committed by individuals whose characteristics resemble those of individuals who commit less spectacular crimes. It is thus not surprising that psychological theories of sexual assault and criminological theories are suitable for the study of this phenomenon.

Murderer vs investigator: factors influencing the resolution of sexual homicide cases

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with the duration of criminal investigations and determine whether these factors influence the seriality of sexual murderers. To this end, data on the investigation of 62 sexual homicides (homicides committed by a serial sexual murderer = 24; homicides committed by a nonserial sexual murderer = 38), were analyzed. Organized behaviors, typical of serial sexual murderers, were not all associated with a longer criminal investigation. However, it was possible to develop a model of the duration of investigations, and predict the seriality of sexual murderers, by taking into account the decisions of murderers and investigators.

The modus operandi of serial and nonserial sexual murderers: A systematic review

Abstract The goal of this current systematic review was to describe the characteristics of the modus operandi of serial and nonserial sexual murderers, and the contextual and situational factors associated with them. It analyzes detailed data on 1836 sexual murderers (serial sexual murderers = 176; nonserial sexual murderers = 1660) taken from 45 empirical descriptive studies carried out between 1985 and 2013. In order to better characterize serial sexual murderers (SSMs) and nonserial sexual murderers (NSMs), four categories of variables were established: precrime variables; crime scene and modus operandi variables; postcrime variables; and victimology variables. Sexual murder possesses specific choice-structuring properties, and interactions between internal constraints and external constraints produce a limited number of crime scripts. SSMs' modus operandi reflects sadistic sexual fantasies, sexual sadism, and organization. SSMs plan their murders in order to make them as congruent as possible with their fantasies. NSMs' modus operandi is the result of an explosion of anger. These sexual murderers are impulsive and extremely violent, and use sexual murder to diminish their internal tension

Driven to Kill: British Serial Killers and their Occupations

Despite the wealth of academic literature relating to serial murder, there has been little research into how the occupational choice of serial killers influences their behaviour and subsequent offending. This article seeks to address this current gap by first examining the occupational history of known British serial murderers and determining if there were any particular work environments which were commonly selected. It was determined that there are four particular occupational 'groups' that known British serial murderers selected and these are described as: 'Healthcare'; 'Business'; 'Public and personal service'; and 'Driving and transient dependent work'. It is this latter occupational 'grouping' that was the most commonly selected form of employment. Through using a case study of Peter Sutcliffe - a serial murderer who was active during the 1970s and early 1980s - the reasons why such occupations may be so popular among serial sexual murderers are explored. © 2015 The Howard League and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A psychological and developmental profile of sexual murderers: A systematic review

Abstract The goal of this current systematic review is to identify the main characteristics of sexual murderers and the areas in which further research is warranted. It analyzes detailed data on 1836 sexual murderers (serial sexual murderers = 176; nonserial sexual murderers = 1660) taken from 45 empirical descriptive studies carried out between 1985 and 2013. In order to better characterise serial sexual murderers (SSMs) and nonserial sexual murderers (NSMs), three categories of variables were established: developmental variables; adult life and criminal career variables; and psychopathological variables. Characteristics of different types of sexual murderers were identified. Sexuality and sadism are the key features of SSMs. They are socially isolated, rejected, and humiliated, and take refuge in compulsive masturbation in paraphilias, which compensate for the poverty of their emotional, relational, and sexual lives. NSMs are polymorphic criminals who are easily angered when their immediate needs are not met. They adopt a victim stance, and sexual murder is a way of exacting vengeance and an outlet for their anger.

Classifying Serial Sexual Murder/Murderers

Keppel and Walter’s (1999) classification system for serial sexual murder/murderers is sometimes used as the basis for generating offender profiles despite the fact that it has yet to be empirically validated. This model assumes that serial sexual murder/murderers can be classified into four categories—power-assertive, power-reassurance, anger-retaliation, and anger-excitation—according to the degree of anger and power exhibited by the offender in their criminal and noncriminal lives. Within the current study, assessing the validity of this model involved examining the crimes and backgrounds of 53 serial sexual murderers to determine if the categories proposed by Keppel and Walter could be identified. Proximity Scaling was used to examine the degree of co-occurrence between each and every behavior/characteristic. No evidence of highly co-occurring behaviors/characteristics from Keppel and Walter’s proposed categories was found, indicating that the classification system is potentially invalid. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications.

Sexual sadism, psychopathy, and recidivism in juvenile sexual murderers

AbstractJuvenile sexual homicide is rare, occurring just 10–15 times a year in the United States. No study addressing how convicted juvenile sexual murderers adjust upon reentering the community exists. A safety concern, given this research gap, is the social movement afoot to abolish life sentences for juvenile offenders. If successful, then more of these offenders will be released back into society. This descriptive study examined: (1) the clinical findings and legal outcomes of 22 sexually homicidal juveniles following arrest; and (2) the relationship between post‐incarceration community adjustment and the variables of sexual sadism and psychopathy. All 22 offenders were tried in adult court—59% received one or more life sentences. Conduct disorder, personality disorders, sexual sadism, and psychopathic traits were prevalent. Mean intelligence quotient was 103. Follow‐up community recidivism data was available for 11 cases: five (45%) remained free of further convictions for an average of 8.9 years, whereas six (55%) recidivated 4.4 years later on average. Recidivators had higher Hare Psychopathy Checklist‐Revised scores. Three of the six recidivators survived an average of 5.3 years before committing additional sexually homicidal acts (all three had sexual sadism). Thus, 27% of the follow‐up group evolved into serial sexual murderers. The remaining three recidivators committed non‐sexual offences. These findings have relevance to criminal investigations, courtroom sentencing, and treatment strategies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The relationship between serial sexual murder and autoerotic asphyxiation

This case series documents and examines the association between autoerotic asphyxiation, sadomasochism, and serial sexual murderers. Autoerotic asphyxiation, along with other paraphilias found in this population, is reviewed. Five cases of serial sexual killers who engaged in autoerotic asphyxiation were identified worldwide: four from the United States and one from Russia. Case reports for each are provided. All (100%) were found to have sexual sadism in addition to autoerotic asphyxiation. Furthermore, two (40%) had bondage fetishism, and two (40%) had transvestic fetishism, consistent with these paraphilias co-occurring in those with autoerotic asphyxiation. Overall the group averaged 4.0 lifetime paraphilias. Some possible relationships were observed between the offenders’ paraphilic orientation and their modus operandi, e.g., all of these serial killers strangled victims—suggesting an association between their sadistic and asphyxiative paraphilic interests. The overlap of seemingly polar opposite paraphilias in this sample – sexual sadism and autoerotic asphyxiation – is explored from a historical and clinical perspective. Multiple commonalities shared between these five offenders and serial sexual murderers in general are addressed. A primary limitation of this study is its small sample size and empirical basis; the results may not be generalizable beyond the sample. The findings from this study support the supposition that crime scene behaviors often reflect paraphilic disturbances in those who commit serial sexual homicides.

Serial Sexual Murderers and Prostitutes as Their Victims: Difficulty Profiling Perpetrators and Victim Vulnerability as Illustrated by the Green River Case

Gary Ridgway, the Green River killer, is the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history, preying upon the most vulnerable of victims: prostitutes. This paper examines the difficulty experienced by law enforcement officials when trying to develop the profile of a serial sexual murderer, as illustrated by the Green River case. The lives and experiences of prostitutes are examined to establish their level of susceptibility to crime while also exploring the customers who frequent them. A summary of current research on criminal profiling is analyzed in conjunction to the Green River case with the goal of obtaining an understanding of the drives and motivations behind these crimes. In addition, the forensic and ethical implications of the case are discussed. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 7:77–89 (2007)]

The Motivation Behind Serial Sexual Homicide: Is It Sex, Power, and Control, or Anger?*

Controversy exists in the literature and society regarding what motivates serial sexual killers to commit their crimes. Hypotheses range from the seeking of sexual gratification to the achievement of power and control to the expression of anger. The authors provide theoretical, empirical, evolutionary, and physiological support for the argument that serial sexual murderers above all commit their crimes in pursuit of sadistic pleasure. The seeking of power and control over victims is believed to serve the two secondary purposes of heightening sexual arousal and ensuring victim presence for the crime. Anger is not considered a key component of these offenders' motivation due to its inhibitory physiological effect on sexual functioning. On the contrary, criminal investigations into serial sexual killings consistently reveal erotically charged crimes, with sexual motivation expressed either overtly or symbolically. Although anger may be correlated with serial sexual homicide offenders, as it is with criminal offenders in general, it is not causative. The authors further believe serial sexual murderers should be considered sex offenders. A significant proportion of them appear to have paraphilic disorders within the spectrum of sexual sadism. "sexual sadism, homicidal type" is proposed as a diagnostic subtype of sexual sadism applicable to many of these offenders, and a suggested modification of DSM criteria is presented.

Understanding controlled trials: Why are randomised controlled trials important?

Ritual and signature are fantasy-driven, repetitive crime scene behaviors that have been found to occur in serial sexual homicide. Notwithstanding numerous anecdotal case reports, ritual and signature have rarely been...

The presumptive role of fantasy in serial sexual homicide.

The authors examined the role of fantasy as an internal drive mechanism for repetitive acts of sexual violence. A sample of 25 serial sexual murderers with three or more known victims each was compared with a sample of 17 single sexual murderers, with only one known victim each. The drive mechanism was hypothesized to be an intrusive fantasy life manifested in higher prevalences of paraphilias, documented or self-reported violent fantasies, and organized crime scenes in the serial murderers. All three hypotheses were supported.

Cops, killers, and staying alive: The murder of police officers in America : by Samuel G. Chapman. Charles C. Thomas (2600 South First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62717), 1986, 147 pp., hardcover—$22.75

This case series documents and examines the association between autoerotic asphyxiation, sadomasochism, and serial sexual murderers. Autoerotic asphyxiation, along with other paraphilias found in this population, is reviewed. Five cases of serial sexual killers who engaged in autoerotic asphyxiation were identified worldwide: four from the United States and one from Russia. Case reports for each are provided. All (100%) were found to have sexual sadism in addition to autoerotic asphyxiation. Furthermore, two (40%) had bondage fetishism, and two (40%) had transvestic fetishism, consistent with these paraphilias co-occurring in those with autoerotic asphyxiation. Overall the group averaged 4.0 lifetime paraphilias. Some possible relationships were observed between the offenders’ paraphilic orientation and their modus operandi, e.g., all of these serial killers strangled victims—suggesting an association between their sadistic and asphyxiative paraphilic interests. The overlap of seemingly polar opposite paraphilias in this sample – sexual sadism and autoerotic asphyxiation – is explored from a historical and clinical perspective. Multiple commonalities shared between these five offenders and serial sexual murderers in general are addressed. A primary limitation of this study is its small sample size and empirical basis; the results may not be generalizable beyond the sample. The findings from this study support the supposition that crime scene behaviors often reflect paraphilic disturbances in those who commit serial sexual homicides.