Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0487
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0487
+44 1478 350008
Abbie Marono
Lancaster University, UK
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother
Serial homicide is defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as �??the unlawful killing of two or more victims in separate events�?�. To predict who is likely to commit serial murder and why, it is important to understand the chain of events that precede serial murders. Research has suggested that the �??profile�?? of a serial murderer typically includes abuse during childhood. However, the sequential pathways between childhood abuse and different typologies are unknown. This study uses a behaviour sequence analysis approach to systematically link childhood abuse with typology, while considering possible intervening factors. The pattern of actions explored begins with the experience of childhood abuse, leading to typology, followed by murder behaviours, and post murder behaviours. Overall, results of this study indicated that child abuse is evidently a large factor in serial killers�?? life histories. This research introduces a novel method for investigating serial killers�?? life histories, and highlights the important impact of childhood abuse on later life events and serial killer�??s motivations. While this area of research is still very new, the potential benefits into both the field of forensics and psychology as a whole, are large. Future research should aim to examine the interaction effects of other life events which may moderate or alter the effects of abuse on later typologies.