Gender differences in female and male serial killers

Serial Murderers

Female Serial Killers: Outline

While serial killers are predominantly male, a recent study in America showed that there were 62 female serial killers operating between 1825 and 1995, compared to 337 male serial killers (Hickey, 2002). Although there are less female serial killers, they remain a significant group of individuals as there are a number of significant differences between female and male serial killers. It is these differences which are investigated within this paper, working to the thesis that male and female serial killers are not the same.

There have been a number of different typologies of serial killers identified over the years, although after more recent work it was determined that these are insufficient to encompass female serial killers. This is mostly due to differences in killing styles and motivations between genders, and has led to new categories such as black widow killers and angels of death. Although male serial killers are often driven by sexual motivations, it is unclear whether this is the case for females also. Even in the case of Aileen Wuornos, the only recorded instance of female sexual predator America, it is still contested whether her motivations were purely sexual in nature. In many other instances, particularly those in which the female operates with a partner, it would appear that there are psychological and mental health issues which may contribute. In addition, it is also argues that women are driven to murder more for material gain than sexual gratification. In association with the differences in motivation for killing, the victims of female serial killers also appear to differ significantly to those of men, for example women most often select family members or those in their care as victims.

It is clear that there are significant differences between male and female serial killers, although the poor quality of information means that these differences may still be poorly understood. Gaining better quality of information could enhance understanding of differences and therefore lead to better steps being taken to prevent and deal with female serial killers.

Female Serial Killers

I. Introduction

In the U.S., 62 female serial killers operated between 1825 and 1995, and 17 of these operated as part of a team (Hickey, 2002). Figures from other countries also suggest that female serial killers are rare, but important nonetheless (Mouzos & West, 2007). Although there are some characteristics of male and female serial killers which are very similar, there are also many aspects which differ greatly. For example Hickey (2002) suggests that female serial killers are active for around nine years and will average between seven and nine victims. While male serial killers also have an average span of activity of nine years, the number of victims averages between six and eleven, which indicates that there may be far more variation in their victim numbers. Although this may appear a small difference, there are far more substantial differences between the genders, for example in the motivation of killings, methods and victims selected.

This essay therefore focuses on a number of specific elements of female serial killers, those which may set them aside from their male counterparts. The first section of the essay focuses on a broad overview of the significance of the differences between male and female serial killers, which has led to different typologies being applied. The second section discusses the implication of sexual motives to the female serial killer, an aspect which is usually more associated with male murderers than females. Finally, the last section focuses on the victims which are selected by female serial killers, as this is perhaps one of the most substantial differences from male serial killers.

III. Female Serial Killers as Sexual Predators

As discussed above, there are some discrepancies between the different typologies of male and female serial killers. A significant element of this may lie in the different motivations between the genders. A typical definition of serial murder is a murder which is deliberate, premeditated and sexually predatory in nature (Kraemer et al., 2004). Despite this definition, it is not necessarily the case that all female serial killers are sexually motivated in their crimes. The case of Aileen Wuornos is perhaps one of the most publicized instances of female serial killers, immortalized by Charlize Theron in the Hollywood movie 'Monster'. This is also suggested to be the only recorded case of a female sexual predator operating alone within the United States (Silvio et al., 2006). Myers and colleagues (2005) investigated the true motivation behind her crimes, examining the theory that there were sexual elements, specifically sexual sadism. After evaluation of the data which was available, the authors did however conclude that there was no evidence of sexual sadism. It was less clear whether there were some elements of sexual gratification as motivating factors, although the authors concluded that there were other motivating factors which were more likely. These included early childhood disruptions, severe psychopathy and history of abuse.

Although Aileen Wuornos is believed to be the only female sexual predator working alone in U.S. history, there are other cases of female serial killers working in teams with sexual motives. This then leads to the question of whether such women are active or passive participants in these types of crimes. There are numerous theories which have been discussed in the literature which may explain the involvement of women in these crimes, including shared psychotic disorder, Stockholm syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder and battered woman syndrome. One such example in which this may be considered the case is that of Charlene and Gerald Gallego, who kidnapped, raped and murdered a number of young girls between 1979 and 1980. Charlene was regularly beaten by Gerald and this is believed to have played an important role in her participation in the couple's crimes (MacLeod, 2003). In addition, gender role socialization has also been suggested as a possible factor in serial killing partnerships, where sexually motivated murders may occur due to dominance of the male in the partnership (Silvio et al., 2006).

Such theories would all implicate females as largely passive participants in sexually motivated killings, but there have been cases of women operating in female only teams conducting murders for sexual gratification. One such example is that of Gwendolyn Graham and Catherine May Wood, a lesbian couple who murdered a number of elderly victims in 1987 (Davis, 2001). This would suggest that it is possible that women are in fact actively involved in murders carried out for sexual gratification and are not necessarily passive participants as many may assume. Despite this, it still appears that the prevailing motivations of female serial killers are material gain or some other type of extrinsic gratification as opposed to sexual gratification (Frei et al., 2006).

IV. Victims of Female Serial Killers

Along with possible differences in motivation between male and female serial killers, it also appears that there may be differences between genders in the victims selected. It is suggested that female serial killers predominantly target victims who they know, and with whom they have shared some form of relationship. This is in direct contrast to male serial killers, who more often select random, unknown individuals as their victims (Mouzos & West, 2007). In fact, it is estimated that around 70% of female serial killers select family members or someone who is dependent on them as a victim. An example of this is both filicide and infanticide, which are crimes most commonly committed by women (Aki, 2003, cited in Mouzos & West, 2007). In addition to this, cases of health care professionals murdering their patients are women in around half of all cases, both in the U.S. And other countries (Yorker et al., 2006). The majority of these cases have occurred where the female in question was a nurse, murdering either children or elderly victims in their care. The explanation of this pattern is not clear, given that there is little in terms of extrinsic gains achieved. There is also little in terms of qualitative evidence available with which to interpret these patterns.

V. Conclusion

It would appear that while female serial killers are very rare, they do differ significantly from their male counterparts. In response to this, classifications have had to be developed to take account of these differences. Most notably, there appear to be significant differences in motivation behind the killings, and also in the victims and methods selected. Despite this, there is a lack of information which allows for thorough analysis of patterns in these crimes. Silvio et al. (2006) suggest that there are a number of problems which hinder theoretical formation around female serial killers. This includes problems with the qualitative data which is available, predominantly brought about by a lack of access to these serial killers from which interviews can be conducted. Silvio et al. also suggest that there are reliability issues with much of the data available, including that gathered directly from the killer. A further problem which may also lead to discrepancies and uncertainty is the small number of cases on which analysis is based, as female serial killers are far rarer than their male counterparts. This is important, as by understanding the patterns in the crimes it may be possible to take more effective measures in order to reduce and prevent such occurrences.