Perpetrators of sexual homicide act in response to various motivations and their victims are diverse. They are not necessarily affected by psychosis. They take advantage of their victims’ vulnerability or of favorable circumstances in order to take control of the situation. The characteristics of 16 persons accused of sexual homicide in the Judiciary Department of La Plata, Argentina are described. The cases presented show that homicidal sexual violence is an instrumental behavior used to attain differing objectives and is not necessarily perpetrated for sexual purposes. It is suggested that further research is necessary to improve the existing classifications. References