Understanding Sexual Serial Killing

by Frederick Toates, Olga Coschug-toates

Why do some people engage in serial killing for sexual pleasure? This book considers the phenomenon of sexual serial killing from the perspective of motivation theory, as advanced in psychology and neuroscience. By examining biological, psychological and social determinants, it develops a model of sexual killing that integrates widely dispersed existing literature. The first part of the book reviews scientific data and theories, while the second part presents biographical sketches of 80 sexual killers and links their early development and later killing to current theoretical understanding. The book examines cases of serial killers from the USA, Western Europe, Iran, Australia and South Africa, and it also includes an account of killers from the USSR, made available to non-Russian speakers for the first time. Deliberately written to avoid jargon, Understanding Sexual Serial Killing is accessible to students, scholars and professionals across psychology, sociology, forensic science and law.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, True Crime

450 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2022

Reviews

[Bliss R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is concise and comprehensive. Initially outlining what the chapters will cover and then suggesting that several motivational factors can merge and contribute to why serial killers commit dreadful sexual serial killing. It seems there is a strong likelihood of several complex factors at play in differing areas of Psychology to contemplate when attempting to understand motivation and diagnosing of individuals. The book includes links to video materials to watch and is backed up with references to research, biographical material as well as being a fascinating exploration into this dark subject. Suggestions of biopsychosocial links such as dopamine, testosterone, insights into emotional regulation leading to thrill seeking, dissociation, contributions of early developmental abuse and negative experiences/instabilities among others are noted. It seems a chain of events and triggers vary between individuals which starts to hint at why some individuals go on to commit crimes and others have 'normal' lives. A well written book which clearly great thought and effort has gone into putting this together, it will remain on the bookshelf and can be read time again by individuals from various backgrounds.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never had an interest in serial killing or lust killing however this book seemed interesting from a psychology point of view.

I love psychology books and this book is simply one of the best books I've ever read. It's so well formatted and put together as well as covering a wide range of different aspects involved in the topic and the subjects themselves.

The first half of the book goes over potential aspects, motivations and theories of serial and lust killings. The second half then goes over cases of proven lust serial killers. Personally I liked thew first half more than the second but I like theory.

I honestly cannot give this book enough praise, it's not highly technical but isn't entirely basic either. This book is a good read for a casual reader as well as someone interested on a deeper level.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As no stranger to true crime and especially deviant sexual homicide studies I was really excited to dive into this. It did not disappoint. Very well researched, I liked seeing all the prevailing theories and care histories. I think my only complaint is some stories were given more attention than others and that could be frustrating. But now I have new directions to go and do research. Overall very good for clinicians, true crime enthusiasts, and those fascinated with deviant sexual homicide. 8/10

[Laila Regalado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to understand sexual serial killing. It is an academic book and does not include sensational "true crime" character.
Informational