The Psychopathology of Serial Murder: A Theory of Violence

(Hardback)

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In this book, criminologist Stephen Giannangelo offers an original theory of the origins and development of the serial murderer. The author constructs a two-part model of the serial murderer's development. The first part of the model outlines biological factors and concomitant psychological anomalies that can predispose individuals toward homicidal behaviour. Then, in developing the second part of his model, Giannangelo describes how a traumatic environmental stressor may trigger a cyclical pattern of violent behaviour in those persons predisposed to kill. Having constructed his archetype of the serial killer, the author concludes by suggesting how diagnostic tools could be constructed and employed by psychologists, criminologists and law enforcement officials to recognise the serial killer and to arrest the cycle of violence.

Reviews

Stephen Giannangelo makes a good attempt at creating a theory that allows the reader to grasp the data known about serial killers. Despite the inherent methodological flaws in case study research derived from anecdotal data. Dr. Giannangelo skillfully uses this appraoch to develop the concepts of a serial killer personaltiy, the diagnostic category of "homicidal pattern disorder," and a theory of violence.-J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
"Stephen Giannangelo makes a good attempt at creating a theory that allows the reader to grasp the data known about serial killers. Despite the inherent methodological flaws in case study research derived from anecdotal data. Dr. Giannangelo skillfully uses this appraoch to develop the concepts of a serial killer personaltiy, the diagnostic category of "homicidal pattern disorder," and a theory of violence."-J Am Acad Psychiatry Law

Author Bio

STEPHEN J. GIANNANGELO is a Special Agent with the Illinois Department of Revenue, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He is currently a member of the Illinois State Police Task Force on financial and white-collar crime. He holds a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Illinois at Springfield.