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Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives

NCJ Number
114207
Author(s)
R K Ressler; A W Burgess; J E Douglas
Date Published
1988
Length
234 pages
Annotation
This book examines two aspects of sexual murderers: characteristics of this group and the subgroups within it, and responses to sexual killers by police investigators, forensic pathologists, mental health clinicians, the legal system, surviving victims, and victims' families.
Abstract

Specially trained FBI agents conducted extensive interviews with 36 convicted, incarcerated sexual murderers. Additional data were obtained from official records. Each murderer's childhood, family background, sexual history, appearance, lifestyle, and other important personal information were developed in depth. Often using the offender's own words, this book conveys the murderer's thoughts, feelings, and actions as he commits, reacts to, and recalls his criminal activities. Topics addressed include formative events and the social environment, patterned responses, behaviors before and after the murders, criminal profiling from crime scene analysis, composite drawings of suspects, and lessons learned from victims for responses to sexual violence. A motivational model for sexual homicide is developed from data on the offenders. Chapter notes, appended crime analysis form, subject index.

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