Serial Violence ─ Analysis of Modus Operandi and Signature Characteristics of Killers

Linking the murders of an alleged serial killer to successfully present a case in court involves a specific methodology that has been scrutinized by the judicial system but is largely absent in the current literature. Serial Violence: Analysis of Modus Operandi and Signature Characteristics of Killers fully explains the process of finding the nexus between one violent crime and another for the purpose of pursuing the same offender at trial.


Examines real cases of some of the world’s most notorious serial killers


Written by renowned experts, this book focuses on analyzing crimes of violence to unveil common characteristics that might prove useful in the identification, apprehension, and conviction of murderers. It begins by detailing the historical origins of modus operandi as an investigative tool. It examines murderous ritualistic behavior in a variety of cases, including William Heirens, Harvey Glatman, Morris Frampton, and Jack the Ripper. Later chapters discuss serial murders accompanied by burglary, torture, picquerism, sexual violence, sexual degradation, and a host of other behaviors.

Includes color photographs of actual crime scenes

Containing numerous color photos, this volume includes useful information for expert witnesses and portions of transcripts of original testimony. The scintillating detail and rigorous analysis presented in this volume enables those charged with solving these violent crimes to discern the types of modus operandi and ritualistic behaviors that can be linked to the same offender, helping law enforcement bring these dangerous offenders to justice.

About the Authors
Bob Keppel served on the King County homicide task force that investigated the infamous Ted Bundy and has been an expert witness on scores of serial killer signature profile cases across the United States. Along with coauthor William Birnes, Dr. Keppel worked on a United States Department of Justice grant to evaluate how local police homicide units use computer database technology to track serial killer and sexual offender cases by cross-referencing offender psychological signatures.

The Components of Modus Operandi, Ritual, and Signature

The Discovery of Signature: Harvey Glatman, the Lonely Hearts Killer, William Heirens—"Stop Me Before I Kill Again!"—and Morris Frampton

The Jack the Ripper Murders: A Modus Operandi and Signature Analyses of the 1888–1891 Whitechapel Murders

The Essence of Torture

Signature Analysis Convicts The Right Man

The Picquerism Signature

A Sexual Assault Signature Lacking Primary Mechanisms

The Ritual of Sexual Degradation through Posing of Victims

What’s Important Is What’s Not There

Signature Left in Kansas City

Signature of an Arson-Rape-Murderer

The Definitive Signature of a Rapist and Murderer

Best Practices in Linking Cases

Index