ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of homicide and serial killing and relevant research within a forensic and criminological framework. Various offender and offence classifications are discussed and evaluated. The advantages and disadvantages of such classifications in an investigative setting are discussed. This chapter also highlights the role cultural context may have on the manner in which people behave and interact with one another, which can play a role in single and multiple homicide. It is anticipated that this chapter will encourage the reader to seek out and critically evaluate additional literature in this important area which greatly affects not only victims and their family and friends, but also the general public and individual feelings of safety and security in society.
