Psychopathia Sexualis: First Study on Serial Killers

Richard von Krafft-Ebing

Despite the term serial killer was discovered in mid 20th century, the study has been conduct on that matter much earlier.

Dr Richard von Krafft-Ebing, a German neurologist, an alienist at the Feldhof Asylum and professor of psychiatry in Strasbourg, believed to be the earliest person responsible in documented research on sexual homicide, serial murder, and other areas of sexual proclivity in his book, Psychopathia Sexualis.

However, in this book which was published in 1886 did not recognize the criminals as serial killers or sex crimes. The killers were all characterized as “monsters” with animal-like appetites.

They were paralleled with vampire and werewolf legends, they were no longer humans. Krafft-Ebing used termed “joy murder” or “lust murder” (lustmord) to describe the criminal action.

One of the criminal recorded in this book was an Italian youth named Vincent Verzeni who committed two strangulation murders and attempted more. In Krafft-Ebing note, stated:

“As soon as he has grasped his victim by the next, sexual sensation are experienced… accompanied by erection and ejaculation. Usually simply choking them satisfied him, and then he allowed his victims to live…”

Psychopathia Sexualis

Grab the book “Psychopathia Sexualis” by Dr Robert von Krafft-Ebing in English Translation here

or through this URL:

http://hotfile.com/dl/101544740/b4ce249/Psychopathia_Sexualis.pdf.html