![]() ![]() serial killers are usually aged in their mid-twenties with a mean age of 30, and the typical age range between 25 and 40 years (Aki 2003: 17 Kraemer, Lord & Heilbrun 2004 Godwin 1999).serial murder is predominantly committed by white/Caucasian males of moderate to high intelligence (Aki 2003 Kraemer, Lord & Heilbrun 2004 Fox & Levin 2005 Rule 1986 cited in Holmes & DeBurger 1998).International research has found a number of common characteristics among serial killers and their murders: ![]() In a study of 494 known serial killers across the United States, almost two-thirds were motivated by the thrill of power or sexual sadism (Fox & Levin 2005). Sex is used by the serial killer to achieve power and control over their victim, as opposed to sex being an end in itself (Egger 1998). When a motive is ascribed to the killing in serial murder it is usually characterised as either sexual or psychological gratification (Egger 1998). The characteristics of serial killers - their behaviour, actions and motivation - are diverse, intricate and include cross-cultural variations (Folino 2000: 740). Serial murder has been described as deliberate, premeditated, and sexually predatory in nature, with a lack of interpersonal conflict and provocation (Kraemer, Lord & Heilbrun 2004: 338). Review of the literature Characteristics of serial killers Frequently, serial murders involve a similarity of subject or purpose (for example, the choice of victims, methods of killings, or the killer's motivation Aki 2003: 6). 1992), and most importantly, are repetitive sequential homicides of any nature. In accordance with the crime classification manual developed by the FBI, serial murders are those that involve three or more separate events (Douglas et al. In order to include all types of serial killers, a broad definition of serial murder is used in the current research. ![]() Disagreement centres on the number of victims, the presence/absence of a sexual element, and the common characteristics of victims (Egger 1998 1984 Holmes & DeBurger 1998 Dietz, Hazelwood & Warren 1990 Myers et al. There is a lack of consensus among academics and practitioners in the definition of serial murder. Building on earlier research by Pinto and Wilson (1990), this study aims to examine the circumstances and characteristics of serial murders that have occurred in Australia since the inception of the NHMP in July 1989. This contributes to a lack of understanding of serial murder, especially regarding the offender profile and the likelihood of victimisation. High profile cases such as the backpacker murders in New South Wales and Snowtown murders in South Australia serve to heighten the public's awareness, and perhaps overstate the threat, of serial murder in Australia. The paper suggests that further research on the profile of long term missing persons and serial murder victims should be undertaken as well as exploring offenders who commit multiple murders on separate occasions, to identify what prevented them (apart from law enforcement intervention) from committing additional murders.ĭespite public fascination with, and interest in, the serial murder phenomenon, little research on this topic has been undertaken in Australia. It is important to note that the paper reports on known homicides. In at least two of the groups of serial murders the victims had been reported as missing to police. The analysis found that the profile of serial murder in Australia is similar to that found in international research. The paper reports on the characteristics of offenders and victims, including the offenders' modus operandi. ![]() This represents one percent of the total number of homicides in Australia over a 17 year period. Results show that between July 1989 and June 2006, there were 11 groupings of serial murders identified in the NHMP, committed by 13 known serial murder offenders, with a total of 52 known victims. Foreword | Building on earlier research undertaken at the Australian Institute of Criminology (Pinto & Wilson 1990), the current research explores the serial murder phenomenon in Australia using data collected as part of the Institute's National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP). ![]()
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