Serial Homicide in Australia, 1820-2020

Abstract

Serial homicide attracts significant attention from the media, entertainment industries, the criminal justice system, and related disciplines even though it accounts for less than 1% of all homicides in Australia. Despite this interest, there is a shortage of research on serial murder specifically applicable to Australia. This study provides an overview of Australian serial homicide, reporting on characteristics related to the victims, perpetrators, and features of the crime. The sample is the largest ever examined in Australia and consists of 71 serial homicides, with 317 victims, committed by 82 perpetrators where each committed at least two homicides. By examining the Australian National Homicide Monitoring Program, the Radford and Florida Gulf Coast University Serial Killer Database, court transcripts, textbooks, and media reports, the authors tabulated offence variables including the number of victims, number of offenders, and motive.