The nature and dynamics of sexual homicide

Meloy, J. Reid

doi:10.1016/s1359-1789(99)00006-3

Cited by 223 publications

(199 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Sexual homicide is the intentional killing of a person during which there is sexual behaviour of the perpetrator [1][2][3]. Homicide is classified as "sex-related" when there is evidence of sexual activity observed at the crime scene or upon the body of the victim.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Homicide is classified as "sex-related" when there is evidence of sexual activity observed at the crime scene or upon the body of the victim. According to the literature, at least one of the following criteria has to be met in order for a murder to be considered sexually motivated: "(1) type of, or lack of attire on the victim, (2) exposure of the sexual parts of the victim's body, (3) sexual positioning of the victim's body, (4) insertion of foreign objects into the victim's body cavities, (5) evidence of sexual intercourse (seminal fluid on, near or in the body), (6) evidence of substitute sexual activity, interest, or sadistic fantasy such as genital mutilations and finally (7) the assailant's confession" [2,3]. In our region (south of Tunisia), sexual homicide is rare.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the presence of injuries around the nose and mouth evoked smothering, classic mechanism of asphyxia in such cases [3,14]. In the second case, the attempt to conceal the body (by burial) and subsequently to hide the crime, the presence of recent tears on the underwear and especially the presence of genital injuries have raised the hypothesis of sexual homicide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this interest, information on sexual homicide offenders is limited [1]. Several studies have addressed the question of whether sexual murderers differ from other offenders [3][4][5][6][7]. Compared to non-sexual homicide offenders, psychopaths are significantly more likely to commit sexual homicide [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As most sexual homicides are committed by males, victims are usually female stranger or casual acquaintance of the perpetrator, rather than a sexual partner or ex-partner [3]. When, other family members, free from any psychiatric disorder, are involved in this type of crime, certain factors should motivate the conversion of violent sexual acts to homicide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Sexual Homicide Committed by a Family Member: Report of Two Cases and Discussion of Its Motivation Factors

Youssef¹,

Wiem²,

Zouheir³

et al. 2017

J Forensic Med

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Sexual homicide is a distinctive form of homicide and an extreme form of sexual violence. This phenomenon has been well addressed in psychiatric, psychological and forensic literatures. Nevertheless, sometimes it is difficult to understand the motivations behind a sexual homicide mainly when it occurs within the closed family environment.We report two cases of women's sexual homicide committed by a family member, other than a sexual partner or an ex-partner. The sexual character was confirmed by laboratory evidences which also allowed the offender identification. In both cases, the offenders did not have any history of violence conviction and were not under substance abuse influence. In addition, psychological autopsy has not revealed any psychiatric disorder of the offenders.In this paper, we describe the findings, we discuss the characteristics of this type of murder and its motivation factors related to our socio-cultural and legislative context.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Sexual Homicide Committed by a Family Member: Report of Two Cases and Discussion of Its Motivation Factors

Youssef¹,

Wiem²,

Zouheir³

et al. 2017

J Forensic Med

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Pathologies of Attachment, Violence, and Criminality

Meloy

2003

Handbook of Psychology

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The clinical and forensic investigation of the relationship between attachment, violence, and criminality is quite recent and very promising. This chapter summarizes the origins of attachment research, and explores the psychology of attachment as a biologically based, species‐specific behavioral system which is present throughout the life cycle. Pathologies of attachment, moreover, such as the preoccupied, fearful, dismissive, and disorganized types, are being increasingly linked to intimate partner violence and other forms of violent criminality. Research in this area is explored, with particular attention paid to the work of Dutton, Fonagy, Holtzworth‐Munroe, Gottman, and Babcock. The author suggests that four findings emerge: (1) insecure attachment is a risk factor for intimate partner violence and other violent criminality, (2) secure attachment may be a protective factor against violent criminality, especially when a child is raised in a deprived environment, (3) the “reflective function” may be an important mediating variable for understanding affective violence in particular, and (4) dismissive and disorganized pathologies of attachment may correlate, respectively, with constitutional and traumagenic pathways to violent criminality. New avenues of research are suggested by applying attachment theory and research to the specific “preoccupied” crime of stalking and the quite distinctive and dangerous character of the “dismissive” psychopath.

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Serial Homicide

Knoll

Ressler

Hazelwood³

et al. 2009

Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science

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After the FBI began its formal study of serial murder in the 1980s, both public and forensic interest in the subject grew exponentially, as evidenced by the proliferating number of movies, books, and case studies over the following decades. Behavioral science has proposed a number of hypotheses on the etiology and psychology of serial murder. Attempts to develop serial murder typologies have become progressively more specific to offender characteristics and victim selection. The psychiatric features of serial murderers reveal many common themes such as psychopathy, sexual sadism, and other paraphilias. This article addresses the historical origins of serial murder, and what is currently known about the motivations, behaviors, and psychology of these offenders. Finally, the issue of prevention and assessment is discussed, with particular attention to interviewing strategies.

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The nature and dynamics of sexual homicide

Cited by 223 publications

References 25 publications

Sexual Homicide Committed by a Family Member: Report of Two Cases and Discussion of Its Motivation Factors

Sexual Homicide Committed by a Family Member: Report of Two Cases and Discussion of Its Motivation Factors

Pathologies of Attachment, Violence, and Criminality

Serial Homicide

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