The Criminal Cannibal: Examining the Similarities of Cannibalistic Offenders

Abstract

Cannibalism is sometimes practiced by particularly violent offenders. This article discusses this behavior as it presents across 26 individual offenders convicted of murder. The similarities examined among these offenders present uniting features within the sample. These features include similar murder methods utilized, parts of the body consumed, and presence of sexual assault and/or necrophilia. Discussion of these similarities concludes that, while there are a variety of uniting characteristics across these offenders, it is necessary to utilize empirical phenomenological interview techniques in order to understand the significance of these behaviors to the individuals practicing them.

Keywords: cannibalism, violent crime, paraphilia, homicide, serial murder