Finnish sexual homicides: offence and offender characteristics

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.030 Byline: Helina Hakkanen-Nyholm (a)(b), Eila Repo-Tiihonen (c), Nina Lindberg (d), Stephan Salenius (e), Ghitta Weizmann-Henelius (f) Keywords: Sexual homicide; Psychopathology; Offender profiling; Psychopathy Abstract: Information on sexual homicide offenders is limited. The current study estimates the rate of sexual homicides in Finland and analyses sociodemographic characteristics, crime history, life course development, psychopathy, and psychopathology in sexual homicide and nonsexual homicide offenders. Crime reports and forensic examination reports of all offenders subjected to forensic examination and convicted for homicide in 1995-2004 (n =676) were retrospectively analyzed for offence and offender variables and scored with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. Eighteen sexual homicides (2.8%) were identified. Co-offending, strangulation and disposal of the body were more frequent crime scene variables in sexual than nonsexual homicides. Mental health problems and sexual abuse in childhood and sexual crime history were significantly more frequent in sexual than nonsexual homicide offenders. Over half of the sexual homicide offenders were psychopathic: compared to nonsexual homicide offenders they scored significantly higher on interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy. Author Affiliation: (a) Forensic Laboratory National Bureau of Investigation, PO Box 285, 01301 Vantaa, Finland (b) Department of Psychology, PO Box 9, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland (c) University of Kuopio, Niuvanniemi Hospital, PO Box 70240, Finland (d) Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 590, 00029 HUS, Finland (e) Vantaa Prison, PO Box 160, 01361 Vantaa, Finland (f) Vanha Vaasa Hospital, PO Box 13, 65381 Vaasa, Finland Article History: Received 19 September 2008; Revised 13 February 2009; Accepted 31 March 2009