ABSTRACT
Serial murder is probably the most disturbing crime of the 1990s (Holmes and DeBurger, 1988). Research on the subject appears both on an academic level (Hickey, 1991; Holmes and DeBurger, 1985,1988: Jenkins, 1987; Levin and Fox, 1985; Leyton, 1985; Ressler et al, 1988) and other more narrative formats which tend to be deficient in documentation. Both types of research and writings, however, indicate that the overwhelming number of serial killers are men. For example, in a listing of forty-seven serial killers by Holmes and DeBurger (22-23; 1988), only three were females. Of the three female serialists, two killed family members and the other murdered with her male lovers. Hickey (1991), in his study of 203 serial killers, identified 16 percent as female offenders. None is examined by any of the previously cited researchers. Given the apparent scarcity of females involved as multiple homicide offenders, sources are few which address their incidence and etiology. By contrast, homicide is one of the most carefully monitored crimes in American society.
