ABSTRACT
This chapter considers what is known about sexual murderers, in relation to subtypes of these perpetrators as well as through comparison of sexual murderers to sexual aggressors who have not killed. Two problems encountered in this field of research are discussed. Namely, that (1) amalgamation of subtypes of sexual murderers in comparison studies introduces a confounding effect, and (2) capturing different motivational characteristics (e.g. sexual deviancy, anger) within subtypes of sexual homicide has its limitations. In light of these issues, we consider the different ways the sexual element and the act of killing could be connected in sexual homicide cases, and present findings from a study in which cases were assigned to groups labelled either direct (the sexual aspect and killing were closely connected) or indirect (the killing was not a source of sexual stimulation). It is argued that such a classification might be more advantageous than a narrow focus on the perpetrator’s initial motivation for the crime.
