Focusing on the diagnosis of sexual offenders, this article addresses conceptual and operational definitions of sexual sadism. After describing early recorded cases of sadistic sexual offenders, the authors attempt to define sexual sadism, arguing that only sadists who commit sexual offenses will be discussed in this work. Presenting a series of terms and ideas related to sexual sadism, the authors discuss sexual homicide as the type of murder crime that has elements of sexual misconduct, and they also argue that there are two types of sexual murderers, vindictive murders and lust murderers. Following a discussion of sexual offenders who meet the criteria of sexual sadism as those individuals who typically sexually assault adults and molest children, this article defines sadism as the experience of sexual, pleasurable sensations produced by acts of extreme cruelty. Turning to a discussion of conceptual and operational definitions of sexual sadism, the authors maintain that the elusive nature of sexual sadism obscures any clear definitions or characterizations. The author contend that future researchers need to attempt to ascertain whether sexual sadism is connected with sexual offenders’ arousal with some other aspect of offender behavior and/or victim response. References