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Classifying Serial Sexual Murder/Murderers: An Attempt to Validate Keppel and Walter's (1999) Model

NCJ Number
241636
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 26-39
Author(s)
Craig Bennell; Sarah Bloomfield; Karla Emeno; Evanya Musolino
Date Published
January 2013
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined Keppel and Walter's (1999) classification system for serial sexual murder/murderers.
Abstract
Keppel and Walter's (1999) classification system for serial sexual murder/murderers is sometimes used as the basis for generating offender profiles despite the fact that it has yet to be empirically validated. This model assumes that serial sexual murder/murderers can be classified into four categoriespower-assertive, power-reassurance, anger-retaliation, and anger-excitationaccording to the degree of anger and power exhibited by the offender in their criminal and noncriminal lives. Within the current study, assessing the validity of this model involved examining the crimes and backgrounds of 53 serial sexual murderers to determine if the categories proposed by Keppel and Walter could be identified. Proximity Scaling was used to examine the degree of co-occurrence between each and every behavior/characteristic. No evidence of highly co-occurring behaviors/characteristics from Keppel and Walter's proposed categories was found, indicating that the classification system is potentially invalid. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.