Moving past sporadic eruptions, discursive killing, and running amok: recognizing the convergence of the serial and spree killer

Abstract

Purpose Rapid sequence homicide offenders (RSHOs), formerly spree killers, are an understudied population due to the confusion surrounding their classification in relation to serial murderers. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory, comparative analysis of 56 RSHOs and 60 serial murderers was conducted on US-based data from 2014 to 2018 derived from the Consolidated Serial Homicide Offender Database to determine similarities and differences between the cohorts. Findings RSHOs and serial murderers are similar in that they often kill their victims using a singular method, have limited mobility, kill a similar number of victims both known and unknown to them and are both supremely motivated by domestic anger. There is an inverse relationship between serial murderers and RSHOs: as one group increases in prevalence the other decreases. Practical implications In order to divert men into more pro-social activities, attention must be dedicated to increasing mental health services that provide them with the tools to diffuse their hatred and couple that with effective gun control strategies and ways to enhance the compromised anger management skills of a generation of volatile men. Originality/value Academicians have been hesitant to juxtapose these offenders but based this conclusion on surface-level differences. A reimagining of these categorical structures is needed. The once clear delineation between these cohorts may continue to shrink and synchronize until one subsumes the other.

Evaluating the use of data-based offender profiling by researchers, practitioners and investigative journalists to address unresolved serial homicides

“…The murderer is not mentally ill but enjoys outsmarting LEOs and is reacting to a set of internal processes that he may have verbalized to acquaintances or relatives. The Seminole Heights killer seems to match a pattern seen in recent yearsyounger, spree-like serial murderers who are more motivated by anger than sexual desire (Yaksic, 2019c). Forensic evidence linking these homicides should be plentiful as youthful offenders rarely take countermeasures to ensure that crime scenes are sanitized (Yaksic et al, 2019a(Yaksic et al, , 2019b(Yaksic et al, , 2019c.…”

“…A representative from the BAU later claimed that the OP was inaccurate and unnecessary. Because the alleged killer, Howell Donaldson, represents a newer breed of the offender, a serial/spree hybrid now called a rapid sequence homicide offender (Yaksic, 2019c), a profile of Donaldson's activities was based on data on how these offenders behave and interact with the community.…”

Detecting a Decline in Serial Homicide: Have We Banished the Devil from the Details?

“…The theoretical basis for the posited decline in serial homicide is rooted in a proper segmentation of similar groups of offenders from the traditional definitional archetype. Spree killers have been included in the serial killer cohort since the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) serial murder symposium (Morton & Hilts, 2008) but their behavioral style may signal that they are merely failed serial killers (Yaksic, 2019b). Two other groups, probable 4 and aspiring 5 serial killers, have been unacknowledged but may factor into the decline in serial killing as the differences between these groups are hardly semantic.…”

A heuristic study of the similarities and differences in offender characteristics across potential and successful serial sexual homicide offenders

“…Williams and Vincent's (2018) teenage offenders aspired to become SSHOs by emulating successful SSHOs. Preliminary evidence suggests that identification of burgeoning SSHOs may have prevented new homicides (Bjorkly & Waage, 2005) as better prepared law enforcement organizations (LEOs) and technology that aids potential victims to stay vigilant (Quinet, 2011; Yaksic, 2015) pose obstacles and force shifts in SSHO's behaviors (Yaksic, 2019). 1 While potential SSHOs may strive to “self‐actualize” and become successful SSHOs, the frequency of attempts and number of successes in realizing such a goal are currently unknown.…”