Prostitute homicides: A 37-year exploratory study of the offender, victim, and offense characteristics

Research demonstrates that prostitutes are at heightened risk of fatal victimization. Besides, prostitute homicides are known to be notoriously difficult to investigate; and hence, little is known about this underresearched offender and vulnerable victim populations. This study aims to explore the offender, victim, and offense characteristics of 244 single-victim heterosexual prostitute homicides, extracted from the US Supplementary Homicide Reports database, for a period spanning over 37 years (1976–2012). Findings indicate that the general portrait of the offender who murdered a prostitute victim is a male in his early 30s who committed the murder in a higher populated area against a female of similar age range. Edged weapons, firearms, and personal weapons are reported to be commonly used in killing the victim. Data limitations are discussed along with the need for future research to build on the knowledge.