On the Radar. . .On the Rise? Criminal Justice System Exposure and Known Victim Count Among Serial Murderers

Criminal Justice System Exposure (CJSE) is common among serial murderers, yet little is known about whether prior contact with the criminal justice system is associated with the extent of serial offending. The present study examined whether documented criminal history and at least one homicide after parole were independently associated with known victim count among male serial murderers using data from the Consolidated Serial Homicide Offender Database (CSHOD). The analytic sample consisted of 1,594 U.S. serial murderers who committed two or more homicides in separate events over a period exceeding 14 days. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank-order correlations were first conducted, followed by multivariable negative binomial regression to identify factors independently associated with victim count. Results indicated that documented criminal history and post-parole homicide were associated with significantly higher victim counts. Stranger victimization, the use of multiple killing methods, sexual assault, and post-crime body movement were also associated with higher victim count, whereas victim-offender relationships involving acquaintances or intimate partners were not significant after adjustment. These findings suggest that prior or concurrent contact with the criminal justice system does not necessarily correspond to shorter serial murder series. The results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of CJSE in serial homicide and provide a foundation for future research examining how criminal justice contact may be associated with serial homicide investigations and offender management.