The Murderer and His Murder: A Review of Research

This book reviews published English-language research reports on murder and murderers. The opening chapter outlines general theories that explain violent behavior, followed by a review of sociological studies of homicide. The sociological studies are divided into those that focus on epidemiology, cultural patterns, temporal and meteorological correlates, and sociological correlates. A separate section examines research on homicides of, and by, police officers. A chapter in this section summarizes research on the effects of reduced gun-availability, and gun-control laws, on the homicide rate. A review of psychological research encompasses murderer typologies, the relationship between murder and offender mental illness, and psychological studies of the murderer and the murder. Other psychological research reviewed considers the relationship between suicide and homicide, murder as a product of frustration and aggression, murderers' brains, murder victims, and the relationship between murder and substance abuse. Research on infanticide, political assassinations, and juvenile murderers is discussed in separate chapters.