Socio-demographic and Mechanical Profiles of Malaysian Male Murderers: a Descriptive Study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The present study aimed to reveal the socio-demographic and mechanical profiles of Malaysian male murderers. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional methodology was applied using guided self-administered survey among Malaysian male murderers. The present study significantly differs from other studies as the information on murder was obtained from the respective murderer rather than from autopsy reports, official statistics, newspapers, or legal reports. 71 male murderers from 11 Malaysian prisons participated in this study on a voluntary basis. The murderers were queried on various mechanical variables of murder including: motives, methods of killing, weapon usage, targeted body parts, murder settings, murder concealment, relationship with victims, precipitating factors and socio-demographic variables. Results: Based on the emerged mechanical profiles, majority of the murderers used single killing method (88.7%). Stabbing (31.0%) and knives (26.8%) were the most preferred killing method and murder weapon. This profile also revealed expressive motive (47.9%) as the apparent dominating cause of murder. Most of the murder incidents occurred at public areas (64.8%) during late evening to midnight hours (45.1%). Most of murderers targeted strangers (46.5%) and acquaintances (35.2%). The emerged profiles were discussed in relation to murder, criminology and victimology contexts. Conclusion: The present study achieved the aim by documenting the socio-demographic and mechanical profiles of male murderers which may be beneficial to scholars, the public and enforcement officials. Keywords: Malaysia; mechanical profile, male murderer, socio-demographic profile