Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass murderers

Allely, CS; Minnis, H; Thompson, L; Wilson, P; Gillberg, C

Abstract

Multiple and serial murders are rare events that have a very profound societal impact. We have conducted a
systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, of both the peer reviewed literature and of journalistic and
legal sources regarding mass and serial killings. Our findings tentatively indicate that these extreme forms of violence may be a result of a highly complex interaction of biological, psychological and sociological factors and
that, potentially, a significant proportion of mass or serial killers may have had neurodevelopmental disorders
such as autism spectrum disorder or head injury. Research into multiple and serial murders is in its infancy:
there is a lack of rigorous studies and most of the literature is anecdotal and speculative. Specific future study
of the potential role of neurodevelopmental disorders in multiple and serial murders is warranted and, due to
the rarity of these events, innovative research techniques may be required.

Citation

Allely, C., Minnis, H., Thompson, L., Wilson, P., & Gillberg, C. (2014). Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass murderers. Aggression and violent behavior, 19(3), 288-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 8, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 18, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 13, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2019
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior
• Print ISSN: 1359-1789
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 288-301
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.004
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.004
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/aggression-and-violent-behavior/
• Additional Information: Funders : Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre