NCJ Number
18643
Date Published
1975
Length
316 pages
Annotation
SOCIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF MURDERERS AND THEIR VICTIMS WHICH INCLUDES MANY CASE STUDIES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MURDERS, INCLUDING SUICIDE.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS CONTEND THAT THE REALITY OF MURDER DENIES THAT PEOPLE USUALLY KILL FOR GAIN OR THAT THEY CARRY OUT THEIR DESIGNS IN COLD BLOOD. IT IS THE TRIVIAL QUARREL OR INCIDENT THAT TRIGGERS THE ACT OF FINAL AGGRESSION. ACCORDING TO THIS THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED STUDY, KILLING IS AN IMPULSIVE RESPONSE TO EMOTIONAL SITUATIONS THAT OFTEN INVOLVE SUCH THINGS AS THE MURDERER'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN LOVE OR A DEFENSE AGAINST HOSTILITY. THERE ARE CASE HISTORIES OF THE TEXAS TOWER KILLER, LEE HARVEY OSWALD, AND MANY LESS KNOWN FIGURES. PERSONAL EVENTS IN INDIVIDUALS' LIVES, CONDITIONS IN THE LARGER SOCIETY, AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ARE COMBINED TO SUGGEST WHY PARENTS MURDER THEIR CHILDREN, WHY CHILDREN, TOO, KILL, AND WHY HUSBAND-WIFE MURDERS HAPPEN. INSTITUTIONALIZED KILLING (SUCH AS WAR, POPULATION CONTROL, RELIGIOUS RITES, PUNISHMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND EVEN A FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT) IS DISCUSSED AS A REFLECTION ON A CULTURE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD VIOLENCE. SIGNIFICANT THEORIES OF VIOLENCE ARE PRESENTED AND SAFE WAYS OF EXPRESSING AGGRESSION ARE SUGGESTED. THE AUTHORS BELIEVE THAT MURDER CAN BE PREVENTED, AND THEY DISCUSS METHODS OF PREVENTION. WRITTEN FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE AND THE CONCERNED LAYMAN, YET SUMMARIZING INFORMATION VALUABLE TO THE RESEARCHER, CRIME OF PASSION IS A MAJOR REFERENCE ON MURDER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)