As the author writes, “there’s something so seductive about the word ‘murderess.'' Telfer also explains how humor has been used to describe and counterbalance the atrocious acts these women performed. She examines how physical attractiveness and sexuality played into each woman’s personal scenario and how each was branded or given a nickname depending on the violent nature of her crimes. Telfer delves deeply into the role of the media in making these women notorious, and she analyzes how quickly they lost their stardom, fading into relative oblivion. Most often, they used poison to kill their victims, but some enjoyed, among other methods, brutal and bloody torture and throat cutting as a means to a deadly end. These women took great pleasure, physically, emotionally, and sexually, in killing-their husbands and other men, their own children, and other women. He probably has a dreadful nickname… is his brand, a nightmare name for a nightmare man whose victims are, more often than not, innocent women.” In her first book, however, the author compiles comprehensive biographies of more than a dozen women who were as vicious, coldblooded, and brutal as their male counterparts. Well, ‘man,’ actually-some vicious, twisted sociopath, working alone. “When we think about serial killers,” writes freelancer Telfer, “we think about men.

This article was written after the conviction of Wuornos, and uses past literature written on the case to redefine Wuornos as a serial killer.A compendium of women serial killers through the ages.

“The Role of Psychopathy and Sexuality in a Female Serial Killer.” Journal of Forensic Science 50, no. Myers, Wade, Gooch, Erik, and Meloy, Reid. (June 1993): 12-15.Ĭhesler interviews Wuornos and her lawyers to give an unbiased impression of the case, and argue if Wuornos is a serial killer or was fighting back. “A woman's right to self-defense: The case of Aileen Carol Wuornos.” Off Our Backs 23, no. This resource uses past literature on the topic to discuss and understand the similarities, and differences of specific cases.Ĭhesler, Phyllis. Serial killing is very infrequent, and the perpetrators are usually white, intelligent males with sadistic tendencies. Single homicide committed by women is rare. “Female Serial Killers: Review and Case Report.” Criminal Behavior and Mental Health 16, no 3, September 2006:167-176. Andreas, Frei, Vollm, Brigit, Graf, Marc, and Dittman, Volker.

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