The Role of Psychopathy and Sexuality in a Female Serial Killer
The Role of Psychopathy and Sexuality in a Female Serial Killer
INTRODUCTION
When you think of serial killers and gender most people will assume that the offender is male. Although not as common, female serial killers do exist. The FBI recently reported that of the 70-140 estimated serial killings a year only 5%-10% are committed by women which roughly comes to 4-12 people (Myers, 2005). Unlike men who kill for a type of sexual gratification, women tend to kill for money and some type of power such as “Angel of Mercy” killers (Myers, 2005). Female serial killers can be divided into seven areas based on Kelleher and Kelleher, the authors of “Murder Most Rare” and well known experts on the subject (Myers, 2005). Those are Black Widow, Angel of Death, Revenge Killer; Murder for Profit, Killer whose has a questionable frame of mind, Team Killers, and Sexual Predator. (Myers, 2005). Unfortunately, there is no credible information that can determine with certainty the frequency of these types of serial killings, and of the few known cases of a sexual nature, there was usually a male team member (Myers, 2005). The purpose of this research project focused on “the role psychopathy and sexuality play in a female serial killer” who acted alone without a male counterpart (Myers, 2005).
THE METHOD This research was based on a case study based on Aileen Wuoronos, the only American serial sexual murder as well as the only known serial killer (Myers, 2005). Methods used to collect information for the study were, an exhaustive review of the Department of Corrections files as well as clinical interviews (Myers, 2005). The study focused on three areas of questioning, was she a psychociopath, other possible personality disorders and finally what if any, did sexuality or sexual sadism play in her crimes (Myers, 2005). Wuoronos, arrested in 1991 for serial murder, admitted killing seven men in an approximately one year (Myers, 2005). Wuoronos, a prostitute killed her
INTRODUCTION
When you think of serial killers and gender most people will assume that the offender is male. Although not as common, female serial killers do exist. The FBI recently reported that of the 70-140 estimated serial killings a year only 5%-10% are committed by women which roughly comes to 4-12 people (Myers, 2005). Unlike men who kill for a type of sexual gratification, women tend to kill for money and some type of power such as “Angel of Mercy” killers (Myers, 2005). Female serial killers can be divided into seven areas based on Kelleher and Kelleher, the authors of “Murder Most Rare” and well known experts on the subject (Myers, 2005). Those are Black Widow, Angel of Death, Revenge Killer; Murder for Profit, Killer whose has a questionable frame of mind, Team Killers, and Sexual Predator. (Myers, 2005). Unfortunately, there is no credible information that can determine with certainty the frequency of these types of serial killings, and of the few known cases of a sexual nature, there was usually a male team member (Myers, 2005). The purpose of this research project focused on “the role psychopathy and sexuality play in a female serial killer” who acted alone without a male counterpart (Myers, 2005).
THE METHOD This research was based on a case study based on Aileen Wuoronos, the only American serial sexual murder as well as the only known serial killer (Myers, 2005). Methods used to collect information for the study were, an exhaustive review of the Department of Corrections files as well as clinical interviews (Myers, 2005). The study focused on three areas of questioning, was she a psychociopath, other possible personality disorders and finally what if any, did sexuality or sexual sadism play in her crimes (Myers, 2005). Wuoronos, arrested in 1991 for serial murder, admitted killing seven men in an approximately one year (Myers, 2005). Wuoronos, a prostitute killed her
References: Myers, W. C., Gooch, E., & Meloy, J. (2005). The Role of Psychopathy and Sexuality in a Female Serial Killer. Journal of Forensic Science, 50(3), 1-6. Retrieved July 13, 2011