This timely reference examines the psychological and social phenomena of mass and serial murder, bringing scholarly depth to a frequently sensationalized subject. Its review of the literature features case studies of serial and mass murderers to expand on salient theories of evil, with biopsychosocial profiles highlighting core personality traits, particularly malignant narcissism, associated with psychopathy and its often deadly outcomes. The author’s insightful analysis separates misconceptions from reality, poses questions for critical thinking and discussion, and offers realistic suggestions for prevention. Public fascination with these violent figures—the mystique of serial killers and their popularity in the entertainment media—is explored as well. Included in the coverage: · Public interest in mass and serial murder. · Concepts of evil: where it comes from, and why people kill. · Mass murder: classification, motivation, and typologies. · Serial murder: motivation and typologies. · Current trends in prevention, and areas for improvement. · Plus instructive case studies, both famous and less-known. Mass and Serial Murder in America is illuminating reading for undergraduate and graduate students and practitioners in social science disciplines such as criminal justice, criminology, social work, psychology, forensic psychology, and related fields. It will also find an audience among educators teaching courses in these areas, as well as interested laypersons.

While "Mass murder" refers to the murder of several people at the same time, "serial murder" describes several killings by the same perpetrator in a repetitive pattern. Usually these incidents count a high toll of victims and create significant anxiety in the public. Yet, the rate of finding murderers in these cases is relatively very low, especially in serial murders; that is if they are ever caught at all. Arnon Edelstein examines the various categories of mass murder and serial murder and suggests a new category: "mass-serial murder". He presents and criticizes the most up-to-date research and theoretical literature in the field and suggests an integrative theoretical model. This groundbreaking volume is intended for criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, students, and readers who are interested in truly understanding the complicated aspects of this fascinating field of investigation.

Filled with contemporary and classic case studies, this fascinating overview of both serial and mass murder illustrates the many violent expressions of power, revenge, terror, greed, and loyalty. Throughout the book, renowned experts James Alan Fox and Jack Levin examine the theories of criminal behavior and apply them to a multitude of mass and serial murderers from around the world, such as Adam Lanza (Newtown, CT), James Holmes (Aurora, CO cinema), Anders Breivik (Oslo, Norway), Charles Manson (“Helter Skelter”), and Dennis Rader (BTK). This fully updated Third Edition of Extreme Killing helps readers understand the commonalities and variations among multiple murders, addresses the characteristics of both killers and their victims, and, in the concluding chapter, discusses the special concerns of multiple murder victims and their survivors.

The best of the best. The most interesting serial killer cases of all time presented chapter by chapter.

Extreme Killing offers a comprehensive overview of multiple homicide, including both serial and mass murder. Filled with classic and contemporary case studies, this fully updated Fourth Edition reflects a growing concern for specific types of multiple homicides—indiscriminate public massacres, terrorist attacks, hate crimes, and school shootings—as well as largely debated issues such as gun control and mental illness. Renowned experts and authors in the field, James Alan Fox, Jack Levin, and Emma Fridel bring their years of research and experience to create distinctions between serial and mass murders, address characteristics of both killers and their victims, and recognize the special concerns around multiple murder victims and their survivors. Students will examine the latest theories of criminal behavior and apply them to mass and serial murderers from around the world, such as the mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas, the Grim Sleeper in Los Angeles, the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, the shooting of nine African Americans by a white supremacist in a Charleston church, and more.

Who are they? What forces shape their twisted minds? From Jeffrey Dahmer to California's Zodiac killer, the deviant minds of America's serial killers are exposed like never before in this riveting work. Authors Fox and Levin offer a rare, close-up and shocking look into the killers' motivations, fantasies, and cold-blooded rage.

It is at 31.4 years that the average woman multiple murderer kills the first of her 17 victims, whom she usually knows or is related to. The preferred method is poison, usually arsenic. She is more likely to prey on the vulnerable--the very young or the very old--than her male counterpart. Her killing spree lasts five years; when caught, she shows little remorse.This profile of 85 women focuses on those who have killed at least three people, not including themselves in murder-suicide cases. Though the work is international, emphasis is on the United States over the past 100 years. Excluded are accomplices who, though legally guilty of multiple murders, were in fact passive participants.The life of each killer is examined, as well as descriptions of the murders, the methods, and a look at the trial.