Multiple perpetrator sexual homicide in Australia and New Zealand: An exploratory study of groups, victims, offenders and offences. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clarkson, Rose; Eichinger, Michaela; Darjee, Rajan
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal justice. Volume 71(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Sexual homicide -- Multiple perpetrators -- Co-offending -- Sexual sadism -- Group dynamics; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Justice pénale -- Administration -- Périodiques; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2020.101726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2352

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: There is a dearth of research on multiple perpetrator sexual homicide. This is an exploratory and descriptive study of the phenomenon in Australia and New Zealand over the last five decades. Method: Cases where sexual homicides were committed by two or more offenders were identified from a legal database. Legal reports and media sources were used to generate case vignettes describing groups, victims, offenders and offences. Summary descriptive data is presented, and the roles of leadership, group composition and sexual sadism are examined. Results: There were 23 groups of 62 offenders, who killed 50 victims. Fifteen groups were pairs and eight were three or more. There were some similarities to single perpetrator cases in the literature, but female perpetrators, male victims, multiple victims, ability to form relationships and sadistic behaviour were over-represented. Most groups had a dominant leader. Conclusion: Leadership and group effects are key factors in most multiple perpetrator sexual homicides. Current models and typologies of sexual homicide need to be adapted to apply to this phenomenon. Sadistic behaviour in such cases is partly due to sexually sadistic leaders but partly due to the amplifying effect of group dynamics. Highlights: There has been very little research on multiple perpetrator sexual homicide. These crimes in Australia and New Zealand over 50 years were complex and diverse. Most involved a dominant leader, and few were equal partnerships. Sadistic behaviour was common, due to both sexually sadistic leaders and group amplifying effects. Current theoretical models require adaptation to apply to sexual homicides committed by groups.