Date of Conferral

11-4-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Teaonna Watson

Abstract

The majority of studies on sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) have been conducted on male sexual homicide offenders (MSHOs). In many aspects, this is due to society’s reluctance to view women as capable of sexual murder. There have only been a handful of studies conducted on female sexual homicide offenders (FSHOs). However, these studies found substantial differences between MSHOs and FSHOs, as well as between White FSHOs and Black FSHOs. Since prior studies on FSHOs have all been quantitative, this study employed a qualitative case study approach to analyze FSHOs. Using rational choice theory, 12 White FSHO cases were examined, using both primary and secondary data sources. Out of these 12 cases, six were solo White FSHOs, and six were White FSHOs who acted with one or more partners. Each phase of the crime committal process (pre-crime, crime, and post-crime) was analyzed to determine emergent patterns of behavior unique to White FSHOs. The most prevalent findings were the presence of control, overkill, and torture in direct correlation to the sexual aspects of the homicide. Additionally, while the data confirmed some of what was previously known about FSHOs, including racial and gender aspects of victim selection, other data on the intimate relationships between solo White FSHOs and their male victims, as well as the lack of firearm prevalence, conflicted with prior quantitative findings. This study contributes to positive social change by expanding the contextual knowledge of White FSHOs’ behaviors, which may aid law enforcement in identifying and subsequently apprehending these individuals.

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