No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
... In other words, all these theories go some way to contributing to the conceptualization of serial killers' behaviours, but in isolation they maintain a focus on certain aspects while necessarily ignoring other aspects. It is for this reason that there is a consensus that what makes a serial killer is a combination of many complex and interrelated neurological, social, physiological, environmental and psychological factors (Hickey, 2002;Holmes & Holmes, 1998a,b, 2002Leyton, 2000;Miller, 2000). Some theorists have suggested the notion of a predisposition to violence (Lewis et al., 1985;Reiss & Roth, 1993;Rubin, 1987), while others emphasize the interplay between environment, biological factors and personality traits as the basis for their criminal behaviour, as first proposed by Aichorn (1934) and later Eysenck (1977). ...
... Dangerous criminals such as serial killers are understood as losing control of their unmanageable destructive aggression. Most serial killers, however, do know right from wrong; they are not prey to irresistible urges but choose not to resist these impulses in their quest for murder and sexual pleasure (Miller, 2000;Ressler & Shachtman, 1997). The classical psychoanalytical perspective of aggression does not account for the significant element of premeditation and enjoyment in inflicting pain on victims. ...
... The positive events would have helped us to learn to manage and tolerate the negative experiences by creating a sense (of reality) that sometimes the world is bad (''I have been abandoned'') but sometimes the world is also good (''my mother is back again''). Most serial killers have only had a ''world as bad'' experience (Hickey, 2002;Miller, 2000;Tithecott, 1997) and, as a consequence, developed a weak, narcissistic and fragile sense of self lacking in confidence and fearful of a revengeful world. Aggression, as reactive, hides this weak and fragile self, often exhibiting as pathological narcissism (Kohut, 1972(Kohut, , 1977 common in sexually motivated serial killers (Knight, 2006). ...
This article documents the definition and context of serial murder. The main theoretical framework adopted is object relations theories which have been particularly renowned for drawing close attention to the process and development of the early dyadic mother-infant relationship as
a primary departure point for understanding both healthy and pathological psychic development. These theories have been especially comprehensive in depicting the inner world of the infant as magical and terrifying, fractured and kaleidoscopic. Within the context of narcissistic dynamics, one
aspect of human behavior may be described as nonpathological and the basis for healthy ambitions and ideals, while another may be identified as pathological and destructive so that individuals behave in grandiose and murderous ways. Some of these individuals are sadistic serial killers who
enjoy the sexual thrill of murdering and who are both pathological and destructive narcissists. This study examines the psychological roots of the behavior of sexually motivated male serial killers, and why they do what they do. The context of serial murder is presented, with a refined definition
of sexually motivated serial murder. The development of narcissism is described as this forms the basis for understanding such behavior.
... In other words, all these theories go some way to contributing to the conceptualization of serial killers' behaviours, but in isolation they maintain a focus on certain aspects while necessarily ignoring other aspects. It is for this reason that there is a consensus that what makes a serial killer is a combination of many complex and interrelated neurological, social, physiological, environmental and psychological factors (Hickey, 2002;Holmes & Holmes, 1998a,b, 2002Leyton, 2000;Miller, 2000). Some theorists have suggested the notion of a predisposition to violence (Lewis et al., 1985;Reiss & Roth, 1993;Rubin, 1987), while others emphasize the interplay between environment, biological factors and personality traits as the basis for their criminal behaviour, as first proposed by Aichorn (1934) and later Eysenck (1977). ...
... Dangerous criminals such as serial killers are understood as losing control of their unmanageable destructive aggression. Most serial killers, however, do know right from wrong; they are not prey to irresistible urges but choose not to resist these impulses in their quest for murder and sexual pleasure (Miller, 2000;Ressler & Shachtman, 1997). The classical psychoanalytical perspective of aggression does not account for the significant element of premeditation and enjoyment in inflicting pain on victims. ...
... The positive events would have helped us to learn to manage and tolerate the negative experiences by creating a sense (of reality) that sometimes the world is bad (''I have been abandoned'') but sometimes the world is also good (''my mother is back again''). Most serial killers have only had a ''world as bad'' experience (Hickey, 2002;Miller, 2000;Tithecott, 1997) and, as a consequence, developed a weak, narcissistic and fragile sense of self lacking in confidence and fearful of a revengeful world. Aggression, as reactive, hides this weak and fragile self, often exhibiting as pathological narcissism (Kohut, 1972(Kohut, , 1977 common in sexually motivated serial killers (Knight, 2006). ...
This theoretical paper explores the concept of evil, dislodged from its philosophical and religious underpinnings, and the concept of aggression from within a contemporary psychoanalytical perspective, and links these two concepts in such a way that the concept of evil is located psychologically and (re)defined as destructive aggression that emerges as violence against another. Within this discourse, the argument presented is that sexually motivated serial killers are evil. Evil is thus viewed as both premeditated violence and reactive to a perceived sense of threat or endangerment. Moreover, it has the essential element of psychological pleasure in inflicting pain on another. Related to this perceived threat, these types of serial killers may be viewed as protecting a weak and inadequate sense of self. In this context, serial killers’ heinous acts of destructive aggression are re-enactments of past insults, resulting in victims being the symbolic representative of past tormentors.
... He will often remain anonymous to the victim up to the time of the actual attack. This kind of stalking may be a prelude to a more serious behavioral pattern, such as serial rape or serial homicide (Miller, 2000;Schlesinger & Miller, 2003;Schlesinger, 2002). ...
... In this pursuit, stalking of potential mates incorporates the behaviorally honed skills of stealth, patience, surveillance, cognitive strategizing, and physical and physical prowess that characterize all forms of successful hunting. In other contexts, this hypertrophied stalking and hunting orientation can include serial rape and serial homicide (Miller, 2000(Miller, , 2012Schlesinger, 2002Schlesinger, , 2004Schlesinger & Miller, 2003). ...
Stalking is generally defined as an intentional pattern of repeated intrusive and intimidating behaviors toward a specific person that causes the target to feel harassed, threatened, and fearful, or that a reasonable person would regard as being so. Motivations for stalking include a delusional belief in romantic destiny, a desire to reclaim a prior relationship, a sadistic urge to torment the victim, or a psychotic overidentification with the victim and the desire to replace him or her. Stalkers may carry a variety of diagnostic labels, including psychotic disorders, delusional disorders, or cluster-B personality disorders, and are generally refractive to conventional psychological treatments. Risk factors for violence in a stalking scenario include a prior intimate relationship, the stalker's feeling of being rejected or humiliated, and generic risk factors for violence such as low educational level and substance abuse. Cyberstalking can be as distressing, if not more so, to victims as physical stalking due to the concealment and anonymity afforded by electronic communication. Victims may adopt varying strategies for dealing with stalkers, such as avoiding, confronting, seeking third party assistance, and accessing the legal system. Threat management specialists have offered certain recommendations that can make it easier for a victim to deter and discourage a stalker.
... Dopamine and norepinephrine generally enhance aggression (Raine, 1993) and numerous studies have found signs of aberrant dopaminergic function in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and schizophrenia (Söderström et al., 2001). Testosterone is clearly implicated in aggression, but its effects, particularly in primates, interact with social factors (Miller, 2000). Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of neuroepinphrine, serotonin and dopamine and its levels are genetically determined. ...
Multiple and serial murders are rare events that have a very profound societal impact. We have conducted a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, of both the peer reviewed literature and of journalistic and legal sources regarding mass and serial killings. Our findings tentatively indicate that these extreme forms of violence may be a result of a highly complex interaction of biological, psychological and sociological factors and that, potentially, a significant proportion of mass or serial killers may have had neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder or head injury. Research into multiple and serial murder is in its infancy: there is a lack of rigorous studies and most of the literature is anecdotal and speculative. Specific future study of the potential role of neurodevelopmental disorders in multiple and serial murder is warranted and, due to the rarity of these events, innovative research techniques may be required.
While rates of juvenile crime have declined over the past decade, public preoccupation with youth violence remains high, periodically fueling judicial and legislative “get-tough” policies and social movements. For most young people, criminal activity, if any, is mild, infrequent, peer-driven, and peaks in late adolescence and early adulthood, declining steadily thereafter. A small subset of persistently antisocial youths begin their criminal careers earlier, commit more frequent and more serious offenses, continue their offending throughout the life-course, and are characterized by a number of neurocognitive, personality, and diagnostic features. Individual, familial, and social forces all combine to influence juvenile criminal behavior, but another small subset of youths, with a characteristic cognitive and temperamental profile, appear to be staunchly resilient to the criminogenic influences around them. The success of intervention and treatment modalities for childhood antisocial behavior depends both on the type of subjects to which they are applied and the consistency and comprehensiveness with which they are implemented and carried out.
Rape distorts one of the most intimate forms of human interaction. Those who rape do so for a number of reasons, but they basically involve the motives of anger, power, eroticized cruelty, and opportunistic mating. No single set of cognitive, psychodynamic, psychopathological, or neuropsychological factors has been identified in those who commit sexual assault, probably due to the heterogeneity of this offender group. It is thus important to understand the diversity of this crime category in order to devise more effective means of adjudicating, treating, and deterring it. As a reproductive strategy, rape has certain risks as well as benefits, which accounts for it persistence in human populations as a minority mating tactic. Although most women fear rape by strangers, they are far more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone they know, especially their own mate. Alcohol and substance use plays a large role in many rapes. Rape can take both a physical and psychological toll on its victims, and clinicians must continue to explore more effective ways to treat rape survivors and to develop proactive strategies to help women prevent initial victimization and revictimization.
Part I of this two-part article described the demographics, patterns, typologies, and motives of different subtypes of serial killers. Part II describes the development of the serial killer’s drives and offense patterns. It discusses the brain mechanisms and dysfunctions that have been purported to underlie this type of extreme crime, as well as the cognitive, psychodynamic, and sociocultural factors that contribute to the development of the serial killer’s relentless quest for victims. The article then discusses the practical forensic aspects of theories and knowledge about serial killers, specifically, the efficacy of behavioral profiling of offenders and the relevance of the insanity defense to serial killer cases.
Part I of this two-part article outlines the history of serial killing and describes the varying patterns and motives for this type of crime. It reviews the assorted typologies of serial killers that have been elaborated by different researchers and offers an integrative classification of primary serial killer subtypes. In addition to the commonly cited male, heterosexual, solitary sadistic sexual homicide offender, this article describes a number of subpopulations of serial killers, including sadist-masochist, female, couple, homosexual, and professional serial killers. Part II will examine the developmental factors, neuropsychodynamics, and forensic applications of serial killing.
Children are the quintessential innocent victims; therefore, special opprobrium is reserved for offenders who sexually abuse them. This article describes the more prominent typologies of pedophilic sex offenders and discusses the role of child pornography in child sexual abuse of actual children. It next examines the often overlooked population of women offenders who sexually abuse children. Attention then turns to the sexual abuse of children in child care settings and by members of the clergy; practical recommendations are provided for reducing the risk of this kind of institutional child sexual abuse. Theoretical conceptualizations of child sexual abuse are considered, in the three main categories of cognitive–psychodynamic theories, neuropsychological conceptualizations, and contributions from the emerging field of evolutionary psychology. Finally, recommendations are made for developing a way of handling sex offenders, including sexual offenders against children, that balances the fair administration of justice with society's obligation to protect vulnerable potential victims.
This chapter examines the compulsive repetitive offender, specifically individuals who commit crimes repetitively because
of an internal sexual drive. Topics of sexual motivation, problems in terminology, and historical context are reviewed, along
with a presentation of sexual murderers, traditional sex offenders, and individuals who engage in other sexually motivated
antisocial acts. The important role of fantasy, planning, personality traits, and the usefulness of treatment are also covered.
This chapter reviews the typologies for serial murder and serial rape. The aim here is to showcase the principal conceptual
models that have accounted for these two forms of criminal behavior in the extant literature. Additionally, however, the chapter
considers where and how the typologies on serial rape and murder could be integrated, especially with respect to offender
motivations, cognitions, biological predispositions, fantasies, impulses, and personality structures. Along these lines, several
points of continuity and discontinuity are featured. The chapter concludes by speculating on the relevance of the proposed
exploratory analysis, particularly in relation to future research efforts that seek to explain and prevent both forms of violence
based on scientific model making, theory testing, and empirical validation.
Difficulties encountered in the study of sexual homicide are reviewed along with a discussion of two types of sexual murder—catathymic and compulsive. Historical, behavioral, psychodynamic, and prognostic factors are presented, as well as a discussion of differential diagnosis. Forensic issues and implications for intervention, prevention, and investigation are also considered.
Without the skill and dedication of criminal investigators, there could literally be no criminal justice system. This group of law enforcement professionals has its own special needs and requires its own special kind of support. The present article describes the special stresses and challenges of homicide and sex crime investigators, and the range of responses shown by these officers. Recommendations are provided for the proper selection and training of investigators, and the personal and professional characteristics of successful investigators are outlined. A variety of stress-coping strategies are then described, some developed by the officers themselves, others with the aid of mental health consultants. The importance of professionalism as a key feature of high-quality investigative work is highlighted, and the ways in which criminal investigators can best access the services of mental health clinicians for their own psychological well-being are discussed.
Close examination of the available crime data reveals little scientific support for the widely held belief that serial homicide is frequent and increasing. The author argues that the dramatic changes in homicide clearance rates, incidence of murders with unknown motives, and victim gender data point to a likely increase, not in serial murder, but in contract murder. This type of killing appears to be having a significant impact on society; yet there has been a complete absence of forensic psychiatric study of this crime, a circumstance that needs to change.
Serial sexual homicide has been the object of intensive study from forensic psychiatric, criminological, developmental, and sociological perspectives. In contradistinction to these approaches, neuropsychiatric concepts and methods have received relatively little attention in this area. In this article we adopt a neuropsychiatric developmental perspective and undertake a review of the psychiatric literature on violence and autism spectrum disorders. Our analysis of this literature suggests the presence of an association between autism spectrum psychopathology and serial homicidal behavior. Recommendations for further research to help clarify the nature of this association are briefly discussed.
Part I of this two-part article presents a psychological and political analysis of the terrorist mind. Part II describes the major current psychological classifications and typologies of domestic and foreign terrorism. Explanations are offered in terms of our current understanding of the personality and psychopathology of terroristic violence. A heuristic model of classifying terrorism in terms of personality and psychopathology is presented. In addition to guiding further research and theory on the psychology of terrorism, this model has immediate practical application to the investigation and interrogation of terrorist suspects.