The Psychological Characteristics of Sexual Murderers By Kevin John Kerr A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology School of Psychology University of Birmingham August 2014 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Contents List of Tables................................................................................................................... 10 List of Figures................................................................................................................. 11 Dedication........................................................................................................................ 12 Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................... 13 Abstract............................................................................................................................ 14 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Sexual Homicide: A Brief Historical Overview........................................ 15 1.2 The Challenge of Researching Sexual Homicide...................................... 17 1.3 Structure and aims of the Thesis................................................................ 19 1.3.1 Chapter 2: Sexual Homicide: Definition, Motivation and Comparison with other forms of Sexual Offending (Kerr, Beech & Murphy, 2013)......................................................................................... 20 1.3.2 Chapter 3: Thematic Analysis of the Motivation behind Sexual Homicide from the Perspective of the Killer........................................... 21 1.3.3 Chapter 4: Case Studies.............................................................. 21 1.3.4 Chapter 5: A Comparative Analysis Between Sexual Homicide Offenders Detained in a Secure Hospital with those Detained in Prison.................................................................................... 22 1.3.5 Chapter 6: End Discussion.......................................................... 22 2 Chapter 2: Definition, Motivation and Comparison with other forms of Sexual Offending. Reproduced with permission from Aggression & Violent Behavior, Volume 18, Copyright © 2013, ELSEVIER Abstract...................................................................................................... 24 Introduction............................................................................................... 25 Defining Sexual Homicide........................................................................ 25 Classification of Sexual Homicide............................................................ 26 Pragmatic Classifications............................................................ 26 Theory-led Classifications.......................................................... 26 Clinical Classifications............................................................... 27 Statistical Classifications............................................................ 27 Offending Pathways in Sexual Homicide.................................................. 27 Anger Motivation........................................................................ 27 Sadistic Motivation.................................................................... 27 Deviant Sexual Fantasy.............................................................. 28 Sexual Motivation....................................................................... 28 Psychopathological Considerations........................................................... 29 Personality Disorder................................................................... 29 Psychopathy................................................................................ 29 Paraphilic, and Paraphilia-related Disorders.............................. 29 Sex Chromosome Abnormalities................................................ 30 Neurology of Sexual Offending and Sexual Homicide.............. 30 Are Sexual Murderers Different from other Sexual Offenders?............... 30 Summary and Implications for Future Research and Practice................... 31 3 Chapter 3: A Thematic Analysis of the Motivation behind Sexual Homicide from the Perspective of the Killer Abstract................................................................................................................ 34 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................... 35 3.1.1 Typological studies.................................................................... 36 3.1.2 Motivational models................................................................... 36 3.1.3 Evaluation of motivational models............................................ 39 3.1.4 The present study........................................................................ 39 3.2 Methods..................................................................................................... 40 3.2.1 Selection criteria......................................................................... 40 3.2.2 Participants................................................................................. 40 3.2.3 Participants: Ethical considerations............................................ 41 3.2.4 Participants: Demographics........................................................ 42 3.2.5 Procedure.................................................................................... 44 3.2.6 Data analysis............................................................................... 45 3.2.7 Interrater reliability..................................................................... 46 3.2.8 Clinical file check....................................................................... 47 3.3 Results....................................................................................................... 47 3.3.1 Theme 1: Avenging sexual abuse............................................... 48 3.3.1.1 Subtheme: Triggers of abuse....................................... 48 3.3.1.2 Subtheme: Symbolic figure of the victim…………… 49 3.3.2 Theme 2: Homicidal impulse..................................................... 50 3.3.2.1 Subtheme: Anxiety………………………………….. 51 3.3.2.2 Subtheme: Release of tension state…………….......... 52 4 3.3.3 Theme 3: Events leading to a catathymic reaction………......... 52 3.3.3.1 Subtheme: Grievance………………………………... 53 3.3.3.2 Subtheme: Rejection……………………………….... 53 3.3.3.3 Subtheme: Sexual inadequacy……………………..... 54 3.3.4 Theme 4: Emotional loneliness……………………………….. 55 3.3.4.1 Subtheme: Social awkwardness……………………... 55 3.3.4.2 Subtheme: Retreat into own world………………….. 56 3.3.4.3 Subtheme: Deviant fantasy…………………………. 56 3.4 Discussion………………………………………………………………. 57 3.4.1 Theme 1: Avenging sexual abuse……………………………... 58 3.4.2 Theme 2: Homicidal impulse………………………………….. 59 3.4.3 Theme 3: Events leading to a catathymic crisis………….......... 60 3.4.4 Theme 4: Emotional loneliness……………………………….. 61 3.4.5 Linking themes together……………………………………..... 62 3.4.6 Impact of mental disorder……………………………………... 65 3.4.7 Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research………………………………………………………... 66 3.5 Conclusion………………………………………………………………. 66 Chapter 4: Case Studies 4.1 Introduction: types of sexual homicide offender……………………....... 68 4.1.1 Sadistic fantasy-driven sexual homicide offender...................... 68 4.1.2 Anger-driven sexual homicide offender..................................... 69 4.1.3 Sexually-driven sexual homicide offender………..................... 70 5 4.1.4 Motivational models of sexual homicide…………………….. 71 4.1.5 Case studies………………………………………………….... 71 4.2 The case of Mr. J 4.2.1 Summary…………………………………………………….... 73 4.2.2 General background…………………………………………... 73 4.2.3 Personality and psychosexual development…………………... 74 4.2.4 Emotional turmoil and delusional thinking………………........ 78 4.2.5 Mr. J’s account of the index offence………………………….. 79 4.2.6 Forensic case formulation……………………………………... 82 4.3 The case of Mr. R 4.3.1 Summary…………………………………………………….... 85 4.3.2 General background…………………………………………... 85 4.3.3 Personality and psychosexual development…………………... 86 4.3.4 Deviant fantasies…………………………………………….... 89 4.3.5 Mr. R’s account of the index offence…………………………. 90 4.3.6 Forensic case formulation……………………………………... 92 4.4 The case of Mr. B 4.4.1 Summary of events leading up to the index offence…………... 96 4.4.2 Psychometric assessment……………………………………… 98 4.4.3 Previous offence history of response to treatment…………….. 99 4.4.4 Forensic case formulation……………………………………... 99 4.5 Comment and critique of the case studies and links to previous research...................................................................................................... 103 4.6 Assessment...............…………………………………………………..... 105 6 4.6.1 Specific areas of assessment....................................................... 106 4.6.2 Assessment of motive................................................................