Homicide and Criminological Theory: Case Studies of Murders

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2026

Pages: 148

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$75.00 USD

ISBN 9798385179411

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Chapter 1 Introduction to Criminological Theory
Theory
Types of Homicide
Structure of the Book
References 

Chapter 2 Why Do We Need Theory? 
How Is a Theory Developed? 
How to Analyze a Theory
What Is a Case Study?
Theory Is Fun
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 3 Social Learning and Differential Association Theories 
Social Learning Theory 
Differential Association Theory 
Differential Reinforcement Theory 
Recent Research on Social Learning and Differential Association Theories
Case Study—Henry Lee Lucas
Social Learning Theories and Henry Lee Lucas 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 4 Choice and Victimization Theories
The Classical School 
Deterrence Theory 
Rational Choice Theory
Lifestyle Approach Theory
Routine Activities Theory
Recent Research on Classical Criminology
Case Study—Gary Ridgway “The Green River Killer” 
Choice and Victimization Theories and Gary Ridgway 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 5 Social Bonding Theory 
Introduction 
Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory 
Measurements of Social Bonding Theory 
Social Bonding Theory and Homicide 
Case Study—Ted Bundy 
Ted Bundy and the Social Bonding Theory
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 6 Self-Control and Homicide 
Introduction 
A General Theory of Crime
Measures of Self-Control
Self-Control and Victimology
Case Study—Dennis Rader (BTK)
BTK and Self-Control 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 7 Emile Durkheim, Anomie, and Development
Emile Durkheim and Anomie
Development Theories
Recent Research on Durkheim, Anomie, and Development 
Case Study—Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
      Durkheim, Anomie, Development, and al-Zarqawi
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 8 Strain Theories
Strain Theory 
General Strain Theory 
Differential Opportunity Theory
Institutional Anomie Theory
Recent Research on Strain Theories
Case Study—Aileen Wuornos
Strain Theories and Aileen Wuornos
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 9 Critical Theories 
What Are Critical Theories? 
Conflict Theory
Marxist Criminology 
Recent Research on Critical Theories 
Case Study—Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán
Critical Theories and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 10 Social Disorganization Theory 
Social Disorganization Theory 
Urban Ecology and the Chicago School
The Development of Social Disorganization Theory 
Recent Developments in Social Disorganization Theory 
Case Study—Jeffrey Dahmer 
Social Disorganization Theory and Jeffrey Dahmer
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 11 Subcultural Theory
Subcultural Theory 
The Development of Subculture
Case Study—Albert “Lord High Executioner” Anastasia
Subcultural Theory and Albert Anastasia 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 12 Life-Course Theory and Homicide
Introduction 
Developmental Taxonomy
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Turning Points 
Adverse Childhood Experiences 
Life-Course Perspective and Homicide 
Challenges with Life-Course Theory 
Homicide Offending Across the Life-Course
Implications for Prevention and Policy 
Case Study—Richard Allen Davis 
Life-Course Theories and Richard Allen Davis
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 13 Psychopathy
Introduction 
The Psychopathy Checklist—Revised
      Emotional and Interpersonal Traits
      Lifestyle Characteristics
Other Measurements of Psychopathy
Case Study—The Coed Killer
Psychopathy and Homicide in the Literature 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 14 Mass Killers 
Introduction 
Definitional Issues
Mass Shooter Typologies
Trends
Case Study—Columbine 
Typologies and the Columbine Shooters
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 15 Homicidal Ideation
Introduction 
Homicidal Ideation in the Literature 
Case Study—Seung-Hui Cho and the Virginia Tech Massacre
Homicidal Ideation and Seung-Hui Cho 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 16 Law Enforcement Officers and Homicide 
Introduction 
Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted 
Law Enforcement, Use of Force, and Justifiable Homicide
Case Study—Ferguson, Missouri
The Ferguson Effect 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 17 Family Annihilators 
What We Know about Family Annihilation
Family Annihilator Types
Case Study—Chris Watts
Family Annihilation and Chris Watts
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 18 How to Evaluate Criminological Theory 
How to Assess a Theory 
Summing the Key Findings from the Case Studies that Can be Applied to Theory
Conclusion

Mark Heirigs

Mark H. Heirigs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Montana. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from Iowa State University. His research includes multiple areas such as psychopathy, recidivism, homicide, and suicide.

Matthew D. Moore

Matthew D. Moore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology at the University of Central Arkansas. He earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. His research focuses on cross-national criminology, social capital, and suicide, and he has published extensively on these topics.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Criminological Theory
Theory
Types of Homicide
Structure of the Book
References 

Chapter 2 Why Do We Need Theory? 
How Is a Theory Developed? 
How to Analyze a Theory
What Is a Case Study?
Theory Is Fun
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 3 Social Learning and Differential Association Theories 
Social Learning Theory 
Differential Association Theory 
Differential Reinforcement Theory 
Recent Research on Social Learning and Differential Association Theories
Case Study—Henry Lee Lucas
Social Learning Theories and Henry Lee Lucas 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 4 Choice and Victimization Theories
The Classical School 
Deterrence Theory 
Rational Choice Theory
Lifestyle Approach Theory
Routine Activities Theory
Recent Research on Classical Criminology
Case Study—Gary Ridgway “The Green River Killer” 
Choice and Victimization Theories and Gary Ridgway 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 5 Social Bonding Theory 
Introduction 
Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory 
Measurements of Social Bonding Theory 
Social Bonding Theory and Homicide 
Case Study—Ted Bundy 
Ted Bundy and the Social Bonding Theory
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 6 Self-Control and Homicide 
Introduction 
A General Theory of Crime
Measures of Self-Control
Self-Control and Victimology
Case Study—Dennis Rader (BTK)
BTK and Self-Control 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 7 Emile Durkheim, Anomie, and Development
Emile Durkheim and Anomie
Development Theories
Recent Research on Durkheim, Anomie, and Development 
Case Study—Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
      Durkheim, Anomie, Development, and al-Zarqawi
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 8 Strain Theories
Strain Theory 
General Strain Theory 
Differential Opportunity Theory
Institutional Anomie Theory
Recent Research on Strain Theories
Case Study—Aileen Wuornos
Strain Theories and Aileen Wuornos
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 9 Critical Theories 
What Are Critical Theories? 
Conflict Theory
Marxist Criminology 
Recent Research on Critical Theories 
Case Study—Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán
Critical Theories and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 10 Social Disorganization Theory 
Social Disorganization Theory 
Urban Ecology and the Chicago School
The Development of Social Disorganization Theory 
Recent Developments in Social Disorganization Theory 
Case Study—Jeffrey Dahmer 
Social Disorganization Theory and Jeffrey Dahmer
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 11 Subcultural Theory
Subcultural Theory 
The Development of Subculture
Case Study—Albert “Lord High Executioner” Anastasia
Subcultural Theory and Albert Anastasia 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 12 Life-Course Theory and Homicide
Introduction 
Developmental Taxonomy
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Turning Points 
Adverse Childhood Experiences 
Life-Course Perspective and Homicide 
Challenges with Life-Course Theory 
Homicide Offending Across the Life-Course
Implications for Prevention and Policy 
Case Study—Richard Allen Davis 
Life-Course Theories and Richard Allen Davis
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 13 Psychopathy
Introduction 
The Psychopathy Checklist—Revised
      Emotional and Interpersonal Traits
      Lifestyle Characteristics
Other Measurements of Psychopathy
Case Study—The Coed Killer
Psychopathy and Homicide in the Literature 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 14 Mass Killers 
Introduction 
Definitional Issues
Mass Shooter Typologies
Trends
Case Study—Columbine 
Typologies and the Columbine Shooters
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 15 Homicidal Ideation
Introduction 
Homicidal Ideation in the Literature 
Case Study—Seung-Hui Cho and the Virginia Tech Massacre
Homicidal Ideation and Seung-Hui Cho 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 16 Law Enforcement Officers and Homicide 
Introduction 
Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted 
Law Enforcement, Use of Force, and Justifiable Homicide
Case Study—Ferguson, Missouri
The Ferguson Effect 
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 17 Family Annihilators 
What We Know about Family Annihilation
Family Annihilator Types
Case Study—Chris Watts
Family Annihilation and Chris Watts
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
References 

Chapter 18 How to Evaluate Criminological Theory 
How to Assess a Theory 
Summing the Key Findings from the Case Studies that Can be Applied to Theory
Conclusion

Mark Heirigs

Mark H. Heirigs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Montana. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from Iowa State University. His research includes multiple areas such as psychopathy, recidivism, homicide, and suicide.

Matthew D. Moore

Matthew D. Moore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology at the University of Central Arkansas. He earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. His research focuses on cross-national criminology, social capital, and suicide, and he has published extensively on these topics.