Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon

This book brings together experts in the fields of criminology, computer science, sociology, police science, victimology, psychology, oral history, and systems analysis, focussing their eclectic knowledge on the study of serial murder. The contributors present the reader with a careful development of state-of-the-art theory and research on serial murder providing a firm analytical bases for future study and research by social scientists into this elusive phenomenon. The book provides a synthesis of current literature and research with in-depth analysis of incidence and prevalence estimates and the etiology of victimization. Students and scholars of all the social sciences will find Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon a valuable reference tool. Using case studies of serial murders, the contributors provide a micro-analysis of the phenomenon from both nomolithic and idiographic methodological perspectives. The book clearly presents the current law enforcement responses to serial murder and discusses the problem of linkage blindness, the inability of police to share information on unsolved murders. Finally, this study looks to the future of serial murder research and investigation. Each chapter is followed by a valuable reference section and the work concludes with a selected bibliography on serial murder.

Table of Contents:
Preface A Critical Examination of the Phenomenon of Serial Murder Serial Murder: A Synthesis of the Literature and Research by Steven A. Egger The Darker Figure of Crime: The Serial Murder Enigma by Kenna Kiger The Etiology of Victimization in Serial Murder: An Historical and Demographic Analysis by Eric W. Hickey Dissociation, Psychopathy, and the Serial Murder by Harold Vetter Those Who Kill, and Kill, and Kill, and Eventually are Caught The Aftermath of the Yorkshire Ripper: The Response of the United Kingdom Police Service by Richard Doney Investigating Serial Murder: The Case of Indiana's "Gay Murders" by David A. Ford Henry Lee Lucas: Case Study of a Prolific Serial Killer by Steven A. Egger Law Enforcements' Response to Serial Murder: Problems and Solutions Linkage Blindness: A Systemic Myopia by Steven A. Egger Taxonomy of Law Enforcement Responses to Serial Murder by Steven A. Egger The Future: Investigation and Research Future of Serial Murder Investigation by Steven A. Egger An Agenda for Research of Serial Murder by Steven A. Egger Selected Bibliography Author Index Subject Index

About the Author :
STEVEN A. EGGER is Associate Professor of Criminology at Sangamon State University. He was formerly Project Director of Homicide Assessment and Lead Tracking System for the State of New York.

Review :
?[Serial Murder's] strengths lie in the diversity of themes covered in the different essays, and the important methodological questions raised by the respective authors. . . . The focus is on the issue of serial murder as an elusive phenomenon', the exploration of which provides insight into many other areas of criminal justice: the process of investigation, the relationship between the police and the media, and the formation of the priorities of bureaucratic agencies. . . . Serial Murder can be thoroughly recommended. . . . This is an excellent and thought-provoking book which raises many intriguing questions.?-Justice Quarterly ?An anthology on serial murder presents reviews and case studies by experts in criminology, computer science, psychology, sociology, police science, victimology, psychology, oral history and system analysis. Current law enforcement responses are explored, including the problem of 'linkage blindness'-the inability of police to share information on unsolved murders. The future of research and investigation is also discussed....?-Criminal Justice Abstracts ?Steven Egger, associate professor of criminology at Sangamon State University, brings together experts in criminology, computer science, sociology, police science, victimology, oral history, systems analysis and psychology for this comprehensive study of serial murder. ....Students and scholars of all the social sciences will find Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon a valuable reference tool. Each chapter contains a helpful and through reference section and the book includes a selected bibliography on serial murder.?-C.J. The Americas "ÝSerial Murder's¨ strengths lie in the diversity of themes covered in the different essays, and the important methodological questions raised by the respective authors. . . . The focus is on the issue of serial murder as an elusive phenomenon', the exploration of which provides insight into many other areas of criminal justice: the process of investigation, the relationship between the police and the media, and the formation of the priorities of bureaucratic agencies. . . . Serial Murder can be thoroughly recommended. . . . This is an excellent and thought-provoking book which raises many intriguing questions."-Justice Quarterly "An anthology on serial murder presents reviews and case studies by experts in criminology, computer science, psychology, sociology, police science, victimology, psychology, oral history and system analysis. Current law enforcement responses are explored, including the problem of 'linkage blindness'-the inability of police to share information on unsolved murders. The future of research and investigation is also discussed...."-Criminal Justice Abstracts "Steven Egger, associate professor of criminology at Sangamon State University, brings together experts in criminology, computer science, sociology, police science, victimology, oral history, systems analysis and psychology for this comprehensive study of serial murder. ....Students and scholars of all the social sciences will find Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon a valuable reference tool. Each chapter contains a helpful and through reference section and the book includes a selected bibliography on serial murder."-C.J. The Americas "[Serial Murder's] strengths lie in the diversity of themes covered in the different essays, and the important methodological questions raised by the respective authors. . . . The focus is on the issue of serial murder as an elusive phenomenon', the exploration of which provides insight into many other areas of criminal justice: the process of investigation, the relationship between the police and the media, and the formation of the priorities of bureaucratic agencies. . . . Serial Murder can be thoroughly recommended. . . . This is an excellent and thought-provoking book which raises many intriguing questions."-Justice Quarterly