Sadism in sexual homicide offenders: identifying distinct groups

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether it is possible to identify different types of sadistic offenders within a sample of sexual homicide offenders (SHOs). Design/methodology/approach The study addresses this research question through the use of two-step hierarchal cluster analysis and binary logistic regression utilizing a sample of 350 cases of sexual homicide from Canada. Findings Results from cluster analysis show that three groups emerge: a non-sadistic group, a mixed group that show evidence of some sadistic behavior and a sadistic group that have high levels of sadistic behavior. Additionally, the sadistic cluster was more likely to destroy or remove evidence at the crime scene than the mixed and non-sadistic cluster and was more likely to leave the victim’s body at a deserted location than the non-sadistic cluster. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the dimensionality of sadism within a sample of SHOs.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Criminal Extremity: New Evidence for Sexual Homicide

“…It is possible that different combinations would yield different risk estimations and that maybe a specific constellation of adverse childhood experiences exists, similar to the MacDonald's triad of enuresis, arson, and cruelty to animals . There are also additional predictors of sexual homicide that were not included in the adjusted models. Moreover, considering the heterogeneity of sexual murderers , it would be important in the future to investigate the impact of the adverse childhood experiences on the different types of sexual homicide offenders.…”

Sexual Sadism: Its Role in the Crime-Commission Process of Sexual Homicide of Children

“…They found that crime premeditation, use of physical restraints, mutilations and humiliation were typical characteristics of crimes committed by sexual sadists. In their study based on 350 cases of SH, Reale, Beauregard, and Martineau (2017b) identified distinct groups of SHOs based on varying degrees of sadistic behavior. Three subgroups of SHOs emerged including a severe sadistic group, a mixed group, and a non-sadistic group.…”

Lethal outcome in elderly sexual violence: Escalation or different intent?

“…Finally, we observed a difference in the method of killing. Juvenile sadistic SHOs were more likely to use weapons to kill their victims, whereas strangulation/asphyxiation has been identified as the most common method used by adult sadists (35,46,59,60).…”