NCJ Number
134555
Date Published
1991
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study of a sample of 13 sex killers and 13 nonsex killers describes method of killing, motive for the crime, substance abuse, mental illness, sexual behavior, elements of the sex killing, phallometric test results, sexual dysfunction, family background and childhood, and biological factors.
Abstract
The limited data on the sex killer suggests that some components of sadomasochism are operative in his behavior. He chooses a female victim (usually a stranger) and often strangles her; he may cut sex organs from the body. Although there is sparse data on mental disorders among sex killers, psychosis is not a frequent diagnosis for these killers. Substance abuse plays an important role in sex killing as it does in other homicides and violent crimes generally. Its exact contribution to the crime, however, is not clear. There is no systematic information on the family backgrounds and childhoods of sex killers. Biological factors may play some role in the behavior of the sex killer. The study by Langevin et al. (1988) suggests that elevated testosterone may be a feature of sex killers. The possible role of neuro-cognitive distortion and impairment should also be considered. Data that show a feminine gender identity in the sex killer and the nonhomicidal sadist remain paradoxical. 33 references