Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon [Hardcover]

Steven A. Egger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275929868 | ISBN-13: 978-0275929862 | Publication Date: April 23, 1990 | Edition: 3rd ptg

This book brings together experts in the fields of criminology, computer science, sociology, police science, victimology, psychology, oral history, and systems analysis, focussing their eclectic knowledge on the study of serial murder. The contributors present the reader with a careful development of state-of-the-art theory and research on serial murder providing a firm analytical bases for future study and research by social scientists into this elusive phenomenon. The book provides a synthesis of current literature and research with in-depth analysis of incidence and prevalence estimates and the etiology of victimization. Students and scholars of all the social sciences will find Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon a valuable reference tool. Using case studies of serial murders, the contributors provide a micro-analysis of the phenomenon from both nomolithic and idiographic methodological perspectives. The book clearly presents the current law enforcement responses to serial murder and discusses the problem of linkage blindness, the inability of police to share information on unsolved murders. Finally, this study looks to the future of serial murder research and investigation. Each chapter is followed by a valuable reference section and the work concludes with a selected bibliography on serial murder.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Serial Murder's] strengths lie in the diversity of themes covered in the different essays, and the important methodological questions raised by the respective authors. . . . The focus is on the issue of serial murder as an `elusive phenomenon', the exploration of which provides insight into many other areas of criminal justice: the process of investigation, the relationship between the police and the media, and the formation of the priorities of bureaucratic agencies. . . . Serial Murder can be thoroughly recommended. . . . This is an excellent and thought-provoking book which raises many intriguing questions.”–Justice Quarterly

“Steven Egger, associate professor of criminology at Sangamon State University, brings together experts in criminology, computer science, sociology, police science, victimology, oral history, systems analysis and psychology for this comprehensive study of serial murder. ....Students and scholars of all the social sciences will find Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon a valuable reference tool. Each chapter contains a helpful and through reference section and the book includes a selected bibliography on serial murder.”–C.J. The Americas

“An anthology on serial murder presents reviews and case studies by experts in criminology, computer science, psychology, sociology, police science, victimology, psychology, oral history and system analysis. Current law enforcement responses are explored, including the problem of 'linkage blindness'-the inability of police to share information on unsolved murders. The future of research and investigation is also discussed....”–Criminal Justice Abstracts

About the Author

STEVEN A. EGGER is Associate Professor of Criminology at Sangamon State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers; 3rd ptg edition (April 23, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275929868
• ISBN-13: 978-0275929862
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,499,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Serial Murder, November 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon (Hardcover)

The first sentence of Egger's 1984 doctoral dissertation should not be forgotten. He BEGAN with the idea of linkage blindness and continues to use it to this day. Yet Egger was in the midst of major multi-jurisdictional task forces (e.g. Lucas), regional information centers, expert team efforts (e.g.Brooks in Atlanta), and, Sam Houston hosted around 5 federal agencies planning VICAP. Where was the linkage blindness in all this horizontal networking? Talking is not the problem--or an answer. The word is victim linkage and early detection to achieve apprehension--police needed new solutions. What were the premises of ICAP, upon which VICAP was based? Why not develop new solutions--as we did in 1979? For 20 years, we've heard about "linkage blindness" and "nothing is known." If nothing is known, why write on this topic? People should start to demand more from so called experts.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Serial Murder, November 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon (Hardcover)

The first sentence of Egger's 1984 doctoral dissertation should not be forgotten. He BEGAN with the idea of linkage blindness and continues to use it to this day. Yet Egger was in the midst of major multi-jurisdictional task forces (e.g. Lucas), regional information centers, expert team efforts (e.g.Brooks in Atlanta), and, Sam Houston hosted around 5 federal agencies planning VICAP. Where was the linkage blindness in all this horizontal networking? Talking is not the problem. Nor is it an answer. The word is victim linkage, early detection and apprehension--police needed new solutions. What happened to ICAP, the basis of VICAP? Why not create new solutions, as ICAP did, instead of saying, "linkage blindness" and "nothing is known." If that's the case, why continue to write the same book for 20 years? People should start to demand more from experts.