Women who commit homicide have been an interesting and difficult subject for criminologists to understand for decades. Approximately 10%- 20% of homicides committed in the United States are committed by women (DeWees, Mari A. and Parker, Karen F, 2003). While both men and women have consistent patterns of killing, women tend to not have any premeditation and hardly ever have psychopathic tendencies. So what causes this percentage of women to kill? There are many theories regarding why women may commit murder given the research that has been conducted. For instance, one study found that while men are more likely to commit murder, women are disproportionately represented as perpetrators in spousal murders. In the same study, women were found to be more likely to commit the act against someone they know (Frei, Andreas, 2006). The story of Carmela Bujbut is one that illustrates how domestic violence can push one woman over the edge to commit a violent act. She was abused by her husband to the point where she felt that murder was her only chance for survival (Herzog, Sergio, 2006). Another theory that has been concluded from these observations is that women commit crimes for self-help. This may be because some women often feel that the criminal justice system has failed them (Peterson, Elicka S, 1999). Juvenile female offending is rising and homicide crimes are not exempt from this, although their reasons for killing are often similar to those of adult females (Roe-Sepowitz, Dominique, 2007). No matter what anyone theorizes, it is clear that there is no one theory that applies to homicide killings (Frei, Andreas, 2006). An interesting thing to note about female murderers is that while certain races, regions, and classes may be slightly more susceptible to committing the crime, there is no group that has not been affected. Women of all backgrounds have been guilty of murder, especially in domestic settings. Because demographics play a minor role in this crime, it is much harder for authorities to predict where the crime may happen or to even prevent it. Female serial killers are rare, but should not be ignored. Female serial killers fall into a certain category, most falling into "black widows", or a woman who kills a sequence of husbands. Other types of serial killers may be "death angels" or "team killers" (Frei, Andreas, 2006). Aileen Wuornos is an example of a female serial killer who did not fit the mold of most women killers. Although no tests or surveys were conducted while she was still alive, research into her life suggests that she may have been a legitimate psychopath, something rare for women (Shipley, Stacey L. and Arrigo, Bruce A, 2004). The criminal justice system is very interested in this topic because it may present insight into underlying issues. For example, if domestic violence does have an effect on female homicide offenders, then what needs to be done to prevent this cause and effect relationship from continuing? Also, if there are social factors involved, this provides insight into the lives of women in the United States. Choice of method, victim, and other aspects related to the crime are all significant in understanding why this crime exists and how we can prevent it in the future. What aids the system in this research is that very little has been found to change in decades which mean there is a level of consistency (Goetting, Ann, 1988).
Chapters
1. Introduction
2.Description of Topic
3. Theoretical Perspectives
4. Discussion and Analysis
5. Conclusion
6. References
