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Contributions of Psychiatric Consultation in the Investigation of Serial Murder

NCJ Number
100234
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: (1985) Pages: 187-200
Author(s)
J A Liebert
Date Published
1985
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article reviews psychological formulations of serial murder, including psychological profiles of serial murderers, and suggests ways in which police and psychiatrists can cooperate in the investigation of serial murders.
Abstract
''Lust murder' is the apparently motiveless serial killing of young males or females where intimate physical contact precedes death. To enhance the investigative focus on lust murder, a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist may be consulted to make sense of an otherwise senseless killing spree. Behavioral science profiling of unknown offenders can be superficial, phenomenological, and perhaps distracting for serial murder investigators. There are few valid generalizations that can be made about serial murderers. The most effective approach is to develop a profile from the evidence in each case, using the psychopathology of the narcissistic or borderline personality disorders, particularly the severe forms, as a point of reference. The cooperative study of suspects' biographies by police investigators and psychiatric consultants can reduce wasteful diversions and rigidity in the investigation. Biographies of promising suspects will likely show subtle antisocial, polymorphous perverse, and sadistic trends not often revealed in police records. 13 references.