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Serial Murder and the Psychology of Violent Crimes

  • Book
  • © 2008

Overview

Editors:
  1. Richard N. Kocsis

    1. Forensic Psychologist in Private Practice, Australia

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  • Collects international perspectives on serial violent crime
  • Explains etiological factors and psychological mechanisms to reveal criminal motives

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XX
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  2. The Psychology of Serial Violent Crimes

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Normalcy in Behavioral Characteristics of the Sadistic Serial Killer

      • Jack Levin, James Alan Fox
      Pages 3-14

    3. Compulsive-Repetitive Offenders

      • Louis B. Schlesinger
      Pages 15-33

    4. Serial Juvenile Sex Offenders and Their Offenses

      • Jessica Woodhams, Clive Hollin, Ray Bull
      Pages 35-50

    5. A Study of Offense Patterns and Psychopathological Characteristics Among Recidivistic Finnish Homicide Offenders

      • Helinä Häkkänen
      Pages 51-62

    6. Sensational and Extreme Interests in Adolescents

      • Kathy E. Charles, Vincent Egan
      Pages 63-83

    7. Narcissism, Sadism, and Loneliness

      • George B. Palermo
      Pages 85-100

  3. New Dimensions to Violent Crime

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 101-101
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    2. Sexual Homicide

      • Leonard I. Morgenbesser, Richard N. Kocsis
      Pages 103-117

    3. Serial Killers and Serial Rapists

      • Stacey L. Shipley, Bruce A. Arrigo
      Pages 119-139

    4. Firesetting

      • Jeffrey L. Geller
      Pages 141-177

    5. The “Gentler Sex”

      • Hannah Scott
      Pages 179-196

    6. Anatomy of a Mass Murder

      • Ian Sale
      Pages 197-204

  4. Investigative Considerations to Serial Violent Crimes

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 205-205
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    2. Blundering Justice

      • Peter J. van Koppen
      Pages 207-228

    3. Sexual (Lust) Homicide

      • Janet McClellan
      Pages 229-244

    4. Criminal Profile Construction and Investigative Procedures

      • Ronald Turco
      Pages 245-257

    5. Psychological Skills and Criminal Profile Accuracy

      • Erica P. Hodges, Kristine M. Jacquin
      Pages 259-275

    6. Profiling and Professionalization of Criminal Investigation

      • Jeffrey B. Bumgarner
      Pages 277-292
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Keywords

About this book

The 21ST CENTURY:THE AGE OF SERIAL VIOLENT CRIME Despite technological and societal advances, crimes of an inexplicably violent nature still permeate contemporary civilizations throughout the world. The very existence of such aberrations, despite the passage of time over the centuries and the supposed evolution of our societies, suggests that some of the most basic instincts inherent to humanity may fundamentally relate to its proclivity for violence. Far from being manifestations of the modern era, serial violent crimes bear an uncanny resemblance to a number of ancient mythological creatures. These similarities raise suggestions that such creatures may have been attempts by ancient cultures to account for the abhorrent crimes. A series of seemingly unrelated brutal murders featuring the excessive mutilation of victims, with indications of body parts having been consumed and/or blood having been drunk, provided inspiration for folklore creatures such as werewolves or vampires. Similarly, the demonic spirits known as incubi that would rape women may be the ancient world seeking to account for serial rapists. Moving beyond these mythological examples, identifiable vignettes of serial violent crimes can be found in history, such as the Roman emperor Nero, who is well chronicled for his madness and delight in starting fires. Serial violent crimes in contemporary society no longer typically invoke any relation with the supernatural but are, instead, now more notionally explained by labels such as serial murder, serial rape, or serial arson.

Reviews

From the reviews:

"Serial Murder and the Psychology of Violent Crimes is a compilation of provocative … chapters dealing with topics that represent some of the darkest and least understood aspects of humankind. … a must-read for all researchers and practitioners who work with female offenders. … the book has some truly remarkable features and respectable, quality scholarship that could easily stand on its own. … This is a good book to have for … the outstanding chapters that could not otherwise be obtained." (Robert K. Welsh and Joseph D. Muto, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 53 (24), June, 2008)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Forensic Psychologist in Private Practice, Australia

    Richard N. Kocsis

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