Sexual murderers' choice of weapons: Examining sexual homicides committed by males in China

Purpose: This study seeks to expand our limited understanding of sexual homicides committed in China, especially with respect to the murder weapons used. It explores the differences between opposite-sex (male-on-female) and same-sex (male-on-male) male sexual homicides. In addition, it examines how the weapon choice of sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) in opposite-sex murder relates to their modus operandi. Methods: Data derived from police records and published case reports in three regions in China were used to analyze the characteristics of the offender, victim, and the offense in 84 sexual homicides (75 opposite-sex and 9 same-sex cases; 1988–2018) committed by males. Results: The findings indicated that where the victim was female, male SHOs were primarily motivated by sex and used relatively physically demanding weapons (e.g., personal weapons). Where the victim was male, SHOs were primarily motivated by financial gain and chose less physically demanding weapons (e.g., edged weapons). In opposite-sex cases, male SHOs who used con tactics to approach their victims were likely to have used personal weapons to kill them, and those who mutilated their victims were likely to have used contact murder weapons. Male SHOs who had premeditated their offenses and abducted their victims were likely to use less physically demanding weapons, and edged weapons in particular. Conclusions: These findings may provide some insights for police seeking to prioritize their investigative strategies.