Characteristics of non-serial sexual homicide offenders: a review

Abstract

A number of issues have complicated the study of sexual killers. Empirical research has not always differentiated non-serial from serial killers or those killers who perpetrate crimes against adults from children or male from female victims. This paper sets out to review studies that have predominantly considered non-serial (where the perpetrator has been convicted for killing one victim) sexual killings of adult females (14 years or older) in terms of childhood, adulthood, victim or crime scene information. Possible characteristics of these perpetrators are identified from relevant literature and these are discussed in terms of assessment and future research.

Keywords:

• non-serial sexual homicide
• childhood
• adulthood
• victim characteristics

Notes

1. The authors state that in Germany where the study took place this is aged 9–10 years and high school is generally completed at age 13 years.

2. This was after excluding those victims who were prostitutes.