Serial homicide is among the less common, but most heinous crimes an individual can commit. The vicious act of murder is unfathomable to most human beings, but research is not lacking in the attempt to provide an explanation. Criminological research is notorious for integrating theoretical perspectives to create an overarching explanation for different crimes. This paper will attempt to provide some insight to the crime of serial homicide. The difference between homicide and murder as outlined in the Criminal Code will be presented. A definition of serial homicide will be provided. The case of one of Cody Legebokoff will then be presented, outlining its key aspects. The theoretical perspectives of Psychopathy and Routine Activities Theory will …show more content…
Until 1980, there was only a general classification for the occurrence of multiple murders, titled “mass murder” but now situations in which a person kills more than one person is classified in three subcategories; “mass, spree, and serial” but this paper will focus on serial (Heide & Keeney, 1995, p.299). Felthous and Meloy define serial homicide as “the intentional killing of individuals in a series, with a latency, or ‘cooling off’ period, in between killings” making three victims the magic number for serial killers (2004, p.289). The case of one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, Cody Legebokoff will now be …show more content…
The now 26 year-old Fort St. James native was described as a “normal teenager” who was athletic, played hockey and belonged to the ski and snowboard team (Hager, 2011). He spent his free time hunting or fishing with his grandfather or on his own, and it was claimed that he enjoyed this activity very much (Hager, 2011). Legebokoff was liked by his peers, he had a loving family and to the public knowledge, a normal childhood (Hager, 2011). Contrastingly, Legebokoff had no known close friendships, and he had not ever retained a steady significant other until recently (he was in a newer relationship) and he was known to be sexually promiscuous, having 25 sexual partners by age 20 (Blatchford, 2014c). The local police claimed him to be unknown to them, if anything, only possessing a minor criminal record, but has no standing criminal charges (The Canadian Press, 2014). Legebokoff had recently moved and was working full-time for a car dealership in Prince George, and this is where he committed the murders (Blatchford,