Exploring the criminal histories of stranger sexual killers

Abstract

Although sexual homicide is receiving increasing research attention, few studies have examined the criminal histories of sexual killers in any detail. This study examined the criminal histories of 81 British stranger sexual killers to determine whether they were generalist, specialists or both and whether their criminal histories reflected violent, sexual, marginality and over control pathways. Results found most stranger sexual killers were generalist offenders and sexual homicide was part of a varied criminal repertoire and non-sexual crimes predominate. This ‘antisocial orientation’ means future offending may not be limited to sexual violence. Criminal histories reflected the violent, sexual, marginality and over control pathways, but offenders in the violent pathway were more criminally orientated. The clinical and investigative implications of these findings were considered as they suggest knowledge of the criminal histories of stranger sexual killers is an important consideration for criminal justice professionals.

Keywords:

• risk assessment
• sex offender treatment
• assessment
• homicide
• criminal behaviour

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Lee Rainbow, Meriel Kurton and Sarah Galambos from the NCA at Bramshill in Hampshire for their assistance with this research. In addition, we wish to thank Professor Jean Proulx from the University of Montreal for his assistance with the offence pathways, and Dr Adrian West from the Edenfield Centre of Prestwich Hospital for his assistance with the investigative implications of this research. Finally, we wish to thank the NCA’s Research Panel and the reviewers of this journal for their comments on earlier drafts of this paper.

Notes

1. The decision as to which offence (i.e. homicide vs. bugger/gross indecency) was more serious was based on the classification of the seriousness of offences employed by the Judiciary of England and Wales. Offences tried in the Crown Court are divided into three classes of seriousness. Class 1 offences are the most serious. They include treason and murder, and are generally heard by a High Court Judge. Class 2 offences include rape, and are usually heard by a circuit judge, under the authority of the Presiding Judge. Class 3 includes all other offences, such as kidnapping, burglary, grievous bodily harm and robbery, which are normally tried by a circuit judge or recorder (Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk).