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.

Offers an accessible and comprehensive look at serial poisoners, victims, and investigation Draws on over 60 global cases studies including from the US, UK, Russia, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Japan India, China and Vietnam Appeals to those interested in criminology, law and policing, toxicology and forensic science, the history of crime and detection, and criminal psychology

Autorentext

Michael Farrell works as a private consultant and has lectured or provided consultancy services in various countries including China, Japan, the Seychelles, Australia, Peru, Sweden, the Emirates and the UK. He has held senior posts in schools and units for people with various mental disorders; managed a UK-wide psychometric project for City University London and led teams inspecting mainstream and special schools and units. He has contributed to radio and television programmes in the UK and elsewhere and has written articles on crime and poisoning in a range of medical, psychological, police, and legal journals.

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.