Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Contributions to Serial Murderers and Their Victims (6th edition)

The following can be found in the preface of Serial Murderers and Their Victims (6th edition):

Every once in a while I come across someone in my career who seems to appear on my doorstep wanting to help and collaborate. Enzo Yaksic did just that and offered to collect serial murder cases for me to use in updating my tables for 2004 - 2011 found in chapters 7 - 10. A special thanks to Dr. Mike Aamodt of Radford University, Virginia, and Dr. John White of Richard Stockton College Center for Public Safety and Security, New Jersey, for their help in identifying the race of specific serial killers who appear in the sixth edition updates constructed by Enzo. He also prepared the original profile for the Samuel Dixon case that was facilitated by the use of the Serial Homicide Expertise and Information Sharing Collaborative. Enzo, thank you so much for your assistance. Your passion for the field of forensics is exactly what is needed to further the work. Working with you has been most enjoyable, and I am sure that we will collaborate for many years to come. Also, a special thanks to James A. Reavis, Psy.D, Director of Forensic Services at the Relationship Training Institute in San Diego, California, for his assistance in developing the profile of Samuel Dixon. Your collaboration is much appreciated.

Current data of all new serial killers in the United States from 2004 - 2011 are provided in a very readable format. Analysis of these data reveal some very significant trends and changes in the demographics of serial murder. This is one of the most important updates in this sixth edition not only because it debunks stereotypes of serial killers, but it also underscores the fact that many victims of serial murder are being ignored by the media. The significant increase in serial killers who are black in the United States is contrary to the stereotype that the majority are white offenders.