Pre- and post-offence behaviours of healthcare serial killers as a confidence game
Date
2012-10-01
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Abstract
Extant literature, while plentiful on the topic of serial homicide in general, does not
adequately examine the phenomena of healthcare professionals who serially murder their
patients. Using a sample of 58 healthcare serial killers located within North America,
South America and Europe between the years of 1970-2010, this study examines notable
pre- and post-offence behaviours of healthcare serial killers. Patterns related to offender
etiology, victim cultivation, crime scene behaviour and techniques of evasion were
explored. The findings from this study suggest that the pre- and post-offence behaviours
of healthcare serial killers can be examined from the theoretical framework of confidence
men or ‘con men.’ The findings from this study also suggest that healthcare serial killings
and offenders who perpetrate them continue to be elusive and warrant additional
scholarly attention to reduce their likelihood of engaging in homicide undetected for
extended periods of time. Policy implications are also discussed.
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Keywords
Serial homicide, Healthcare serial killers, Victim cultivation, Confidence men, Con men