Killing Again: A Review of Research on Recidivistic Single-Victim Homicide

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on a possible subgroup of homicide, namely recidivistic single-victim homicide (RSVH). This subgroup includes people who commit a homicide, are institutionalized in a prison or psychiatric facility as a consequence, and then commit a second homicide after release. The main purpose of the review was to find out more about the prevalence of this type of offence; the type of research methods and designs used in past research; and known characteristics of perpetrators, their victims, and the crime scenes. Searches were conducted in the English language literature in five databases. A total of 11 relevant studies were identified, but only three studies had RSVH as the main focus. Most were register studies. There was a striking paucity of studies that presented detailed information concerning perpetrator, victim and crime scene characteristics. In studies that examined mental disorder in the perpetrators, personality disorder and alcohol/drug dependence were the most prevalent diagnoses. The primary methodological problems concerned inclusion criteria and sampling. We conclude that more research is needed to distinguish RSVH from other forms of multiple homicide.