Problems of Forensic Sciences 2005 Vol. 64 (LXIV) 401-416
PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIONS AND MOTIVATION OF AN OFFENDER SUSPECTED OF SERIAL KILLINGS. A CASE STUDY
Ewa WACH, Maciej SZASZKIEWICZ
Institute of Forensic Research, Krakow
Streszczenie
The case described below concerns the actions of a serial killer. Based on analyses of traces and manifestations of the actions of the offender in three different situations (5 murders), forensic psychologists were expected to give their opinions as to whether they could have been committed by the same person. An important element of the expert report contributing to provision of a positive answer to the question posed by the prosecution was reconstruction of the offender’s motivation. On the basis of analysis of the offender’s actions it was ascertained that in all cases the offender organised the scene in such a way as to, above all, satisfy his sadistic drives and needs. His behaviour – reconstructed on the basis of evidence collected during the investigation – was completely inconsistent with the suspect’s statements, according to which the murders were carried out by him in order to gain material benefits.
Słowa kluczowe
Psychological profiling; Serial killer; Sexual motivation; Modus operandi; Psychological expert report; Suspect’s statements.