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Salfati, C. G and Grey, J. A (under review)

An Examination Of Behavioral Distinctions In U.S. Single-Offender Single-Victim Homicides. Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal


Abstract:
Recent literature suggests that different "styles" of homicide will most appropriately be reflected in the different types of behaviors committed by offenders at a crime scene. These distinctions, it has been proposed (e.g. Salfati 2000, Salfati and Canter 1999), can best be understood using an Instrumental and Expressive thematic framework in the way the offender acts at the crime scene. Multidimensional Analysis was carried out on 42 crime scene actions of 376 U.S. single offender, single victim homicides, with the aim of replicating earlier studies. A multivariate structure resulted allowing 59% of the cases to be assigned to dominant styles. Results are discussed in terms of implications for cross-national similarities and differences in the thematic structure of homicide, as well as future avenues for research.

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