Includes bibliographical references (p. 366-383) and index.

Foreword -- Preface -- 1. Introduction : the phenomenon of serial murder -- 2. Cultural development of monsters, demons, and evil -- 3. Biology and psychology in serial murder -- 4. Social construction of serial murder -- 5. The male serial murderer -- 6. Team killers -- 7. The female serial murderer -- 8. Victims -- 9. Interviewing serial murderers -- 10. Serial murder from a global perspective -- 11. Serial murder in Japan and South Africa -- 12. Profiling, apprehension, and disposition of serial killers -- References -- Index.

This text provides an in-depth, scholarly, and broad-based examination of serial murderers and their victims. The coverage is supported by extensive data and research, and it profiles some of the most prominent murderers of our time. The author examines the lives of over 400 serial murderers, analyzing the cultural, historical, and religious factors that influence our myths and stereotypes of these individuals. He then describes the biological, psychological, and sociological reasons for serial murder, offering his own Trauma-Control model for explaining serial murder behavior.