title: Sexual Homicide by Older Male Offenders.
abstract: Recent research has expanded our understanding of sexual homicide offenders (SHOs). However, little exists beyond case reports for older SHOs. We characterized male SHOs ≥ 55 years, comparing them to typical adult male SHOs who are in their 20s. Analysis of 37 years (1976-2012) of US Supplementary Homicide Reports data provided a large SHO sample (N = 3453). Three case reports provide clinical context for the diverse nature and patterns of older SHOs. Only 32 older male SHOs and no older female SHOs were identified. Murders by older SHOs accounted for only 0.5% of US sexual homicides. Unlike typical SHOs that generally target young adult females, over two-thirds of older SHO victims were ≥40 years, and one-third were ≥55 years. Sexual homicides by older SHOs, like sexual homicide in general, decreased over the study period. These crimes, while exceedingly rare, do occur, warranting special consideration.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Psychiatry, Coro West Center, Rhode Island Hospital, One Hoppin Street, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Wade C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Heng Choon Oliver
authors.initials: HCO
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Timothy Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.affiliation: Forensic Behavioral Services, Inc., Fredericksburg, VA.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Safarik
authors.affiliation: P.H.I. Investigative Consultant, Inc., PO Box 197, Garnerville, NY.
authors.forename: Vernon J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Geberth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D054041:Weapons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: crime; forensic science; geriatric; murder; older offender; sexual homicide