Date of Conferral
12-18-2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Eric Hickey
Abstract
The proposed study sought to explore the impact of the internet on the hunting styles of sexual predators who sexually assault and kill their victims. A sample of 32 cases, divided equally among offenders who used the internet to target adult females and those who did not use the internet, was used for the study. The findings showed that various internet-based platforms were used for targeting, including dating apps such as Grindr, Match.com, Meetme.com, Tinder, Craigslist, Sex chat rooms, Kik Messenger, and BDSM sites. Three themes emerged about the impact of the internet on the hunting styles of sexual predators who commit sexual assault and sexual homicide. The three themes were convenience, the ability to profile victims, and the advantages of an absence of background checks. The traditional approach involved high-risk hunting styles, such as kidnapping, stalking and spying, and attacking the victims in their homes. The findings aligned well with the routine activities theory by facilitating a motivated offender to identify and target suitable victims in the absence of guardians. This study may have a positive impact for social change as this study has begun to create a profile of the types of perpetrators utilizing the internet, their specific demographic of victims, and chosen methods of murder and body disposal which may be beneficial to law enforcement in the future.
Recommended Citation
Meyers, Rebecca, "Examining the Internet Hunting Styles of Violent Sexual Predators Who Rape and Murder Their Victims" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17056.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17056
