Date of Award
Summer 8-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department/Program
Forensic Psychology
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Louis B. Schlesinger
Second Reader
James S. Wulach
Third Advisor
Erin Williams
Abstract
This exploratory study is intended to serve as a gateway to future research about the differences between sexual murderers with (HSAO) and without (N-HSAO) a recorded criminal history of sexual assault, on which there is little to no comparative literature. This study aims to extend our understanding of these groups by comparing their crime scene (and crime-related) behaviors and exploring their underlying psychological functioning. The results suggest that N-HSAO have a significantly higher tendency to murder friends or strangers, initially attack or abduct their victims from the victim’s residence, use more than one killing method in the murder, attack their victims in the context of allegedly consensual sex, and insert themselves to the investigation. Other behavioral trends suggest differences between the groups in criminal savviness, risk-taking, emotional reactions, sexual behaviors and preferences, and differences in the behavior of serial and non-serial offenders. Implications for our understanding of the underlying psychological makeup of these offenders, guidelines for criminal investigations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Ben Ari, Tirza Z., "Crime Scene Behaviors of Sexual Murderers With and Without a Criminal History of Sexual Assault" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/250