Journal article
A behaviour sequence analysis of serial killers’ lives: From childhood abuse to methods of murder
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Vol.27(1), pp.126-137
2020
Abstract
The aim of the current research was to provide a new method for mapping the developmental sequences of serial killers’ life histories. The role of early childhood abuse, leading to types of serial murder and behaviours involved in the murders, was analysed using Behaviour Sequence Analysis. A large database (n = 233) of male serial killers with known childhood abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) was analysed according to typologies and crime scene behaviours. Behaviour Sequence Analysis was used to show significant links between behaviours and events across their lifetime. Sexual, physical, and psychological abuse often led to distinct crime scene behaviours. The results provide individual accounts of abuse types and behaviours. The present research highlights the importance of childhood abuse as a risk factor for serial killers’ behaviours, and provides a novel and important advance in profiling serial killers and understanding the sequential progression of their life histories.
Details
- Title
- A behaviour sequence analysis of serial killers’ lives: From childhood abuse to methods of murder
- Authors/Creators
- A.J. Marono (Author/Creator) - University of LincolnS. Reid (Author/Creator) - University of TorontoE. Yaksic (Author/Creator) - Northeastern UniversityD.A. Keatley (Author/Creator) - University of Lincoln
- Publication Details
- Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Vol.27(1), pp.126-137
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Identifiers
- 991005545287607891
- Copyright
- © 2020 The Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Law
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 6 Social Sciences
- 6.24 Psychiatry & Psychology
- 6.24.1084 Sexual Violence
- Web Of Science research areas
- Criminology & Penology
- Law
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
- ESI research areas
- Psychiatry/Psychology