Elizabeth Yardley – författare

To date, approaches to understanding serial murder have focused on individual cases rather than the social context in which they occurred. Written by leading criminologists and world experts on serial murder, this book marks a departure by situating nineteenth century serial killer Mary Ann Cotton within the broader social structure. Using archival records of her court appearances, local histories and newspaper articles, it uniquely explores how institutions such as the family, economy and religion shaped the environment she inhabited and her social integration through the roles of wife, mother, worker and criminal. Acknowledging that it takes a particular type of individual to commit serial murder, the book shows that it also takes a particular type of society to enable that murderer to go unseen. As the first work to analyse serial murder through the theoretical framework of institutional criminology and institutional anomie theory, it will equip criminologists with a methodological toolkit for performing institutional analysis.

The relationship between crime and social media has become an increasingly important topic in a networked world. However, the use of social media in relation to violent crime is little understood. This unique book, by an expert in the field, addresses this gap by analysing what those involved in homicide do with social media.Using three international cases in which perpetrators confessed to homicide on social media, it investigates the practices of those involved, providing a groundbreaking conceptual framework of use to criminologists. It argues that such confessions convey important insights not only into the individual offender but also the social and cultural context of contemporary homicide.

The relationship between crime and social media has become an increasingly important topic in a networked world. However, the use of social media in relation to violent crime is little understood. This unique book, by an expert in the field, addresses this gap by analysing what those involved in homicide do with social media.Using three international cases in which perpetrators confessed to homicide on social media, it investigates the practices of those involved, providing a groundbreaking conceptual framework of use to criminologists. It argues that such confessions convey important insights not only into the individual offender but also the social and cultural context of contemporary homicide.

A superbly targeted resource for those wanting to learn about serial killings. Deals with and analyses some of the best known (as well as lesser) cases from English criminal history, ancient and modern. Looks at the lifestyles, backgrounds and activities of those who become serial killers. Identifies clear categories of individuals into which most serial killers fall. Led by Professor David Wilson the authors are all experts and practised teachers concerning the ever-intriguing phenomenon of serial killing: why, when and how it happens and whether it can be predicted. Taking some of the leading cases from English law and abroad they demonstrate the patterns that emerge in the lives and backgrounds of those who kill a number of times over a period. The book is aimed at those studying the topic as an academic discipline, whether on one of the many courses now run by institutions or as a serious attempt at private study and understanding.It contains notes on key terms and explanations of essential topics such as co-activation, Munchausen syndrome, cooling-off period, psychopathy checklist, social construction, case linkage, family annihilation, activity space, rational choice theory, medicalization and rendezvous discipline.As the first textbook of its kind it will be an invaluable resource for both teaches and all students of serious crime whether formally or self-taught.

The first dedicated textbook for Criminology students studying homicide. As the authors explain, criminal homicide is but one form of lethal violence victims may suffer, leading them to describe a much broader range of scenarios. Ranging from murder to manslaughter to State killings, genocide and disasters involving victims of public policy, corporate crime or shortcomings in health and safety, Making Sense of Homicide re-positions discussion of the topic for those wishing to see beyond routine media hype and ill-informed popular discourse. The book also contains a special expert contribution by former Police Superintendent Ronald Winch about how the UK police investigate homicide including fundamental requirements and pitfalls. The book ranges in scope from serial killing to mass and spree homicide and across the jurisdictions of the UK, USA and other countries. Also interweaved in this key resource are acutely observed accounts of the Holocaust, capital punishment and homicide within a consumer society. The authors explain the categories within which homicide is conventionally discussed, as well as crimes of the powerful and those made opaque for political, economic or other questionable purposes, making the work one of immense value to anyone wishing to see violence through a new lens.