Book contents
- Understanding Sexual Serial Killing
- Understanding Sexual Serial Killing
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Part I The Factors That Underlie Lust Killing
- Part II Biographical Sketches
- Chapter 13 Similarities and Differences
- Chapter 14 A Focus on Males in the Family
- Chapter 15 A Focus on the (Ex-)Wife
- Chapter 16 A Focus on the Mother
- Chapter 17 A Focus on the Mother
- Chapter 18 A Focus on the Mother
- Chapter 19 A Focus on Revenge
- Chapter 20 Just for Being Gay
- Chapter 21 Fetishes and Partialisms
- Chapter 22 Imprinting on Powerful Events
- Chapter 23 Living in Farmyard Squalor
- Chapter 24 Cross-Dressing
- Chapter 25 Attachment-Linked Killers
- Chapter 26 A Desire for Child Victims
- Chapter 27 Stress and Disorganization
- Chapter 28 Problems with Sexual Potency
- Chapter 29 Paired Killers
- Chapter 30 Paired Killers
- Chapter 31 Drugs and Addiction in Focus
- Chapter 32 More Questions than Answers
- Part III Final Word
- References
- Index
Chapter 27 - Stress and Disorganization
from Part II - Biographical Sketches
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 May 2022
- Understanding Sexual Serial Killing
- Understanding Sexual Serial Killing
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Part I The Factors That Underlie Lust Killing
- Part II Biographical Sketches
- Chapter 13 Similarities and Differences
- Chapter 14 A Focus on Males in the Family
- Chapter 15 A Focus on the (Ex-)Wife
- Chapter 16 A Focus on the Mother
- Chapter 17 A Focus on the Mother
- Chapter 18 A Focus on the Mother
- Chapter 19 A Focus on Revenge
- Chapter 20 Just for Being Gay
- Chapter 21 Fetishes and Partialisms
- Chapter 22 Imprinting on Powerful Events
- Chapter 23 Living in Farmyard Squalor
- Chapter 24 Cross-Dressing
- Chapter 25 Attachment-Linked Killers
- Chapter 26 A Desire for Child Victims
- Chapter 27 Stress and Disorganization
- Chapter 28 Problems with Sexual Potency
- Chapter 29 Paired Killers
- Chapter 30 Paired Killers
- Chapter 31 Drugs and Addiction in Focus
- Chapter 32 More Questions than Answers
- Part III Final Word
- References
- Index
Summary
Sex-linked killing is based upon a combination of factors. Michael Apter uses the English killer Neville Heath to emphasize one of these: the irresistible lure of excitement. It is unclear what factors in life led Heath down this pathological route. A bomber pilot in World War II, Heath was reckless and disorganized, exemplifying not just sensation seeking but also sexual sadism. It would appear that Heath’s level of brain arousal had a tendency to be well below the optimal level for comfort. Therefore, he engaged in a range of daredevil reckless activities in an attempt to elevate arousal. Tall, charming and handsome, Heath exemplifies where sexual desire can combine with a desire to elevate arousal. Despite admitting that the evidence suggested his guilt, Heath reported having no memory of the killings, pointing to the possibility of dissociation. Heath was judged as sane and fit to plead and was executed.
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- Understanding Sexual Serial Killing , pp. 368 - 374Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022