Killer Data

Killer Data examines the phenomenon of serial murder using data collected from international sources to examine serial homicide offender (SHO) patterning globally, focusing on contemporary cases. This allows for a broader understanding of serial homicide and dispels some of the myths around offenders. The current serial murder classification scheme incorrectly types serial killers as supremely intelligent killing machines while discounting their socialization, experiences, and choices. This book exposes them as a run-of-the-mill hometown loser, brutalizer of women, lucky to escape apprehension, and propelled forward by a deep sense of entitlement, easy access to firearms, and a nonchalant attitude toward using murder to attain their goals. Readers should come away with a deeper understanding not of the ultra-rare deadliest offenders but of the more common murderers who pose a consistent threat to day-to-day life. The book utilizes the Consolidated Serial Homicide Offender Database, one of the largest and most robust open access databases of multiple murders available, presenting new thinking on areas such as: spree/serial hybrid offenders the classification of two and three victim SHOs how SHOs pursue longevity the characteristics of aspiring SHOs whether hitmen and gang members are SHOs if and why serial homicide is in a state of decline the dearth of international studies offender profiling how many SHOs are responsible for the homicides that sent innocent people to prison luck as a factor of 'success' for SHOs the use of AI and network analysis on data to elucidate new findings. These findings are illustrated with in-depth case studies of SHOs, such as Felix Vail, Michael Sumpter, the Seminole Heights Killer, and the Austin Bomber. The book also provides commentary from those who have used these patterning methods in practice, in addition to laying out how to put the current suite of data tools to use within organizations. Correcting decades of flawed assumptions about serial killers, and written in an accessible and concise style, Killer Data is essential reading for students and scholars of Criminal Justice and Criminology, law enforcement professionals, and the interested general reader.