Mass and Serial Murder in America

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.

·         Mass murder: classification, motivation, and typologies.

·         Serial murder: motivation and typologies.

·         Current trends in prevention, and areas for improvement.

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.

Dr. Christine M. Sarteschi, LCSW is an Assistant Professor of Social Work & Criminology. She holds a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, has approximately 10 years of post-master's clinical social work experience and is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Pennsylvania. Professor Sarteschi's primary research interests cover a wide range of behavioral science topics including improving police and community relations, mental illness and crime, involuntary hospitalization, cold case research, mental health courts, mass murder, homicidal ideation, and violent and predatory offenders. She is a member of the Department of Justice National Initiative for Building Community and Trust research team, tasked with improving relations and trust between communities and the criminal justice system. She is also a consulting committee member of The American Investigative Society of Cold Cases (AISOCC), an organization of professional investigators who actively assist law enforcement with cold case investigations. Her research has appeared in The British Journal of Social Work, Research on Social Work Practice, the Journal of Forensic Social Work, the Journal of Criminal Justice, among others. Dr. Sarteschi has also has served as a peer reviewer for the National Science Foundation as well as other scholarly journals.