Is It Time to Revisit the Definition of Serial Homicide? New Evidence and Theory
Abstrak
Historically, serial homicide has been defined in various ways by experts. Recently, there have been renewed efforts to arrive at a consensus definition, yet these efforts have not yet been resolved. At the heart of the controversy appears to be the prioritization of either qualitative definitional features, such as offenders’ intentions and motives, or more observable quantitative features, specifically a minimum threshold of completed murders. The present technical note briefly summarizes this controversy before considering new empirical and theoretical research developments. These developments support a definition that includes a three-victim minimum threshold of forensically linked murderers by the same person(s), occurring in separate events over time, wherein a primary motive is often personal gratification (leisure experience).
Topik & Kata Kunci
Penulis (1)
D J Williams
Akses Cepat
- Tahun Terbit
- 2023
- Sumber Database
- DOAJ
- DOI
- 10.3390/forensicsci3010010
- Akses
- Open Access ✓