Article Figures & Data
Tables
Ritualistic Behavior n* %† Penis penetration 20 39.2 Binding 18 31.6 Overkill 17 25.3 Beating 11 21.5 Posing 13 17.7 Mutilation 10 13.3 Trophies and souvenirs 6 12.0 Photographs and documentation 4 11.4 Dismemberment 5 9.5 Foreign object insertion 9 8.9 Torture 4 7.6 Biting 4 7.0 Gagging 7 6.3 Necrophilia 3 1.9 * The number of offenders in the sample who exhibited this behavior at a crime scene. n = 37 offenders who exhibited ritualistic behavior.
† The percentage of the ritualistic behavior across the sample of offenses or victims. n = 158 victims of those offenders who exhibited ritualistic behavior.
Shocking or electrocuting victim Holding multiple victims in extended captivity Evisceration Undressing and redressing victim Shaving victim's pubic hair Eating food at victim's home Removing victim's eyes Forcing captive victims to cannibalize prior victims Carving a starburst pattern on victim's chest Stacking victim's clothing in a neat pile next to the body Forcing victim to pose in prior victim's underwear Forced bestiality with offender's dog Cutting victim's pants off in a distinctive way Theme n* %† Power, control, and domination 12 32.4 Rage and revenge 10 27.0 Degradation and humiliation 6 16.2 Sexual fixation 3 8.1 Two themes 6 16.2 n = 37.
* The number of offenders who exhibited themes in their ritualistic behavior.
† The frequency of themes across the sample of offenders who engaged in ritualistic behavior.
Ritualistic Behavior n* %† Evolving torture rituals 4 10.8 Evolving postmortem mutilation 4 10.8 Increasingly distinctive mementos 3 8.1 Incorporation of mementos from previous victims 1 2.7 Evolving gagging rituals 1 2.7 Incorporation of prior victim in subsequent homicide 1 2.7 From hidden disposal of victim's remains to exhibiting victim remains 1 2.7 From sexually assaulting unconscious victim to necrophilia 1 2.7 From oral penis penetration of victim to inserting foreign objects 1 2.7 Total 17 45.9 * The number of offenders in the sample who exhibited evolution of ritualistic behavior.
† Proportion of offenders in sample who exhibited evolution of ritualistic behavior (n = 37).
