Citation

Horning AM, Salfati CG, Crawford K. Homicide Stud. 2010; 14(4): 377-399.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1088767910382833

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The present study explored the link between offenders’ prior criminal specialization (violent crime, sexual crime, or burglary/theft) and subsequent homicide crime scene type (exploit, control, distance) in 77 U.S. cases of single-offender/single-victim homicides. Specialists as compared to those with no prior criminal history were significantly more likely to engage in goal directed behaviors such as controlling the victim, controlling the outcome, and exploitative behaviors (sex and theft). Sexual crime specialists specifically were the more distinct subtype. The findings indicated differences in how first-time homicide offenders approach the crime scene and are discussed in line with the usefulness to homicide investigators.