Critical characteristics of male serial murderers

Difficulties that have limited research on serial murder (i.e., definition, data, and conceptual framework) are addressed by the current study. Rickey’s Trauma-Control Model is utilized as a conceptual framework that is particularly helpful when sexual activity is involved. This study provides a rich description of male perpetrator characteristics (criminal history, age, and ethnicity), killing career characteristics (number of victims, length of career, solo or team killer, venue, weapons, and murder rate), and victim characteristics (relationship to killer and victim sex). Relationships among these characteristics are also examined.