Assessment of the Extent and Prevalence of Serial Murder through Criminological Theories

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to attempt an assessment of the extent and prevalence of serial murder through possible criminological theories. Each of the main theories is discussed to evaluate whether a successful explanation for serial killing can be provided. For the purpose of this piece of work we have concentrated primarily on America as it has the highest rate of serial killings and hence they have produced most of the research into this subject area. Britain is following America's example; investigative techniques and the development of a profiling system. There are four parts for better understanding and exploration in terms of an assessment of the serial murder. First part looks at the legal definitions of murder, the categorisation of types of multiple murder and the common elements within serial murder. In second part various definitions of serial murder are examined and the many differing typologies of serial killers are looked at. Third part addresses the historical and modern-day extent of serial murder and questions the validity of research into its current prevalence. The discussions are that biological, psychiatric, psychological, and sociological theories are discussed and their applicability to the existence of serial murder evaluated. At the end of present paper, a multi-dimensional model of the serial killer is described.