ABSTRACT
Theories have highlighted the importance of considering a variety of factors related to the sexual murderer, his victim, and the murderer–victim interaction during the criminal event in understanding why and how a man commits a sexual murder. However, current theories of sexual homicide have limitations related to the existence of domains that require further empirical investigation due to contradictory results. To overcome these limitations, in this Handbook we have presented new empirical studies that include well-described and substantial samples from seven different countries. Although the Handbook materially advances our understanding of sexual murderers, there is still more research to be done. In particular, future studies should consider a wider range of factors, including biological factors, and the life trajectories of sexual murderers in childhood and adulthood. Constitution of cross-national databases would also materially advance our understanding of the phenomenon of sexual homicide.
