Offense Pathways of Non-Serial Sexual Killers

•The study identified three distinct offence pathways•Pathways identified correspond to previously defined types of sexual killers•Perpetrators with previous rape seemed similar to sexual aggressors

PurposeOffending pathways of sexual killers were explored with a focus on whether the pathways for those with a previous conviction for rape or attempted rape differed from those who had no such convictions.MethodsA total of 129 non-serial male sexual killers of females aged 14 years or over, who had been convicted and served a custodial sentence within UK Prison Service, were included in the study. Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS), TwoStep cluster analysis and Chi-square analysis were used to evaluate cognitive problems, sexual and behavioral interests, modus operandi and crime scene characteristics.ResultsThe study provided support for the existence of three different pathways to offending: deviancy, grievance and sexually driven. Offenders with a previous offense for rape/attempted rape clustered significantly into the sexually driven group.ConclusionsSexual killers who fit more closely to the sexually driven group were found to have treatment needs similar to sexual aggressors who have not killed. In addition, more consideration should be given to how we select cases in order for research to better advance our knowledge of sexual homicide.