Abstract
Studies have been conducted to determine if a sexual serial killer and pedophile are similar and/or different to one another. Despite the difference in their criminal acts, sexual serial killers and pedophiles have similar characteristics. Biological, environmental and psychological theories of criminal behavior were studied which illustrated their significance to how a person can choose to commit a crime. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a presence or absence within multiple forms of childhood trauma experienced between the sexual serial killer and pedophile. Is there a correlation between violent acts and childhood trauma? The first portion of the study concluded that all ten sexual serial killers experienced childhood trauma. Out of the thirteen types of childhood trauma that were examined, all ten sexual serial killers endured at least one type of trauma. In addition, ten pedophiles were also used in this study. However, data is limited which led to gathering results on three pedophiles. Out of the three pedophiles, all three of them experienced childhood trauma and at least one type of trauma. The theories of criminal behavior were applicable to the sexual serial killers and pedophiles. At least one theory was applicable to both populations. The second portion of the study was in-depth examination into three sexual serial killers’ and three pedophiles’ childhoods. These case studies helped support the correlation between childhood trauma and violent acts of the sexual serial killer and pedophile.