There May Be More Victims of Serial Killers Than We Realize

In addition to keeping busy with my ongoing writing projects, I also think it is important to devote some time regularly to staying current on the latest research and news concerning criminology and forensics. In addition to maintaining my long-standing interest in these fields of study, I believe that keeping up-to-date with the latest news helps to add accuracy and detail to my own work. I recently came across an article first published in 2007 that grabbed my attention and I wanted to share it with you.

A study completed by Kenna Quinet, associate professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI, contends that the number of victims of serial killers may be significantly underestimated. Recent estimates assert that anywhere between 67 and 180 people are murdered by serial killers every year. However, she points to the lack of reliable data concerning the “missing missing” as an argument that the actual figures could be much higher. Members of groups such as prostitutes, transients, and runaways are often never even reported as missing, and therefore their eventual murder is sadly not noticed. Quinet believes that the actual numbers could be tenfold of the victims who currently are being counted. This means that our country may have as many as 1800 victims who die at the hands of serial killers every year. That is an astonishing number! But, based on my own knowledge of serial killers and the communities on which they often prey, I tend to agree that the numbers are likely higher than we currently report.

In my novel Compulsion, Emily Stone uses her camera, tracking devices, and keen intellect to gather evidence on pedophiles and murderers. However, when she enters the radar of a serial killer, her own safety becomes the most critical need. Will Emily become a statistic to add to the numbers I mentioned above? Or, will her physical and intellectual strengths finally bring a killing spree to an end? I hope you will read my book and find out for yourself!