This book examines serial homicidal poisonings in the modern era, to improve our contemporary understanding of poisons, poisoners, and investigation. Drawing on cases of serial poisoning from around the world, the book defines key terms, examines theories and explanations of serial homicide in relation to serial poisoning, explores the features of the poisons and examines the demographic characteristics of perpetrators of serial poisoning and their victims. It considers healthcare serial poisoning as a specific issue. Overall, it provides an outline for developing a criminology of serial poisoning homicide.

Autorentext

Michael Farrell is a private consultant. He has an MPhil degree at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and a PhD under the auspices of the Medical Research Council Cognitive Development Unit and London University. Michael Farrell held senior posts in schools and units for clients with various mental disorders. He managed a UK-wide psychometric project for City University, London and directed a national initial teacher-training project for the UK Government Department of Education. He has broadcast on the BBC World Service and on UK national radio and has written articles in a range of medical, legal and police journals and other publications.

Inhalt

1. Introducing serial poisoning.- 2. Explanations of serial poisoning.- 3. Poisons used in serial poisoning.- 4. Serial poisoners.- 5. Health-care serial poisoning.- 6. Serial poisoning victims.- 7. Investigating serial poisoning.- 8. Summaries of serial poison cases.- 9. Profiles of selected serial poison cases.