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Psychological Profiling of Sexual Murders: An Empirical Model

16 Lynden Avenue, Carlingford, Sydney, NSW 2118, Australia

Ray W. Cooksey

School of Marketing and Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia

Harvey J. Irwin

School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia

Psychological profiling represents the investigative technique of analyzing crime behaviors for the identification of probable offender characteristics. Profiling has progressively been incorporated into police procedures despite a surprising lack of empirical research to support its validity. Indeed, in the study of sexual murder for the purpose of profiling, very few quantitative, academically reviewed studies exist. This article reports on the results of a 4- year study into Australian sexual murders for the development of psychological profiling. The study involved 85 cases of sexual murder sampled from all Australian police jurisdictions. The statistical procedure of multidimensional scaling was employed. This analysis produced a five-cluster model of sexual murder behavior. First, a central cluster of behaviors was identified that represents common behaviors to all patterns of sexual murder. Next, four distinct out- lying patterns—predator, fury, perversion, and rape—were identified that each demonstrated distinct offence styles. Further analysis of these patterns also identified distinct offender characteristics that allow for the use of empirically robust offender profiles in future sexual murder investigations.

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Vol. 46, No. 5, 532-554 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/030662402236739


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