NCJ Number
137818
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 1-19
Date Published
1992
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study employs a historical and quantitative analysis to test the widespread suggestion that serial murder activity in the United States has increased dramatically since the late 1960's.
Abstract
The crime of serial murder appears to have occurred infrequently between 1940 and 1964, but a rapid acceleration is observable from about 1965. Between 1940 and 1964, a serial murder case was recorded every 10 months on average and an "extreme" case every 43 months. A serial case could be expected to be reported in the media every 39 days between 1971 and 1990 and an extreme case every 77 days. Serial murder cases overall were 8 times as likely in the later period, and extreme cases were reported more than 16 times as frequently. The rate of increase far exceeded the general upsurge in violent crime that occurred about that time. Changes in recording or reporting practices alone fail to explain the increase in serial homicide. Social factors that may contribute to this change include a marked transition in many aspects of American life in the mid-1960's and the greater independence of the younger generation and changes in their sexual behavior and attitudes. Some changes in the mental health system also may have played an important role. 2 tables and 69 references (Author abstract modified)