Serial Murderers and their Victims, 5th Edition

This text provides an in-depth, scholarly, and broad-based examination of serial murderers and their victims. The coverage is supported by extensive data and research, and it profiles some of the most prominent murderers of our time. Author Eric Hickey examines the lives of over 400 serial murderers, analyzing the cultural, historical, and religious factors that influence our myths and stereotypes of these individuals. He then describes the biological, psychological, and sociological reasons for serial murder, offering his own Trauma-Control model for explaining serial murder behavior.

Used as a teaching tool in universities and by law enforcement personnel, Hickey's (criminology, California State U., Fresno) text assists readers in understanding the nature of violence, criminal personalities, and victim-offender relationships, and in understanding serial murder within the contemporary social context. The fourth edition is updated with new research and new profiles—including materials on the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington; an expanded treatment of both emerging theory and compelling policy questions; a broader cultural perspective through the inclusion of a new chapter on multiple homicides in Japan and in South Africa; and new sections on homosexual serial murders and on serial murder among African Americans, as both victims and offenders. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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Hickey (criminology, California State University, Fresno) profiles numerous serial killers, including the Columbine killers, Josef Mengele, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, David Berkowitz, Jack the Ripper, Ted Kaczynski, and many less well known. He groups them by type (male, female, team killers), and presents the cultural, biological, psychological, social, and global perspectives on their behavior. Though prominently mentioned in the title, only one chapter is dedicated to describing the victims of these crimes. The companion CD-ROM includes the text of this book and several others, allowing electronic access to biographies, photographs, and investigative tools. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Eric W. Hickey teaches criminal psychology at California State University, Fresno. Dr. Hickey has appeared on National Public Radio, Larry King Live, 20/20, Good Morning America, Court TV, A&E, Discovery and Learning Channel documentaries to discuss his research on sexual predators, murderers and serial killers. He also has served as a consultant to the UNABOMB Task Force, the American Prosecutors' Research Institute, and testifies as an expert witness in both criminal and civil cases. He conducts seminars for agencies involving profiling and investigating sex crimes, arson, robbery, homicide, stalking, workplace violence and terrorism.