In this webinar, Dr. Neil Websdale will define mass and spree killing and explain the differences between familicidal, felonious, and non-felony related forms of these offenses. The webinar will concentrate on “public” mass and spree killings. Dr. Websdale focuses on two types of cases:
- Those in which the complex dynamics of intimate partner violence appear to be a significant trigger or precipitant of killings. These cases involve offenders killing or attempting to kill former or current spouses/partners and/or those such as family law attorneys, allied professionals, and/or friends who may have supported the spouse or partner;
- Those public mass killings, usually shootings, where intimate partner violence forms but one aspect of the case but may nevertheless be helpful in developing an understanding of the killings.
Dr. Websdale will use case studies, illustrations, and excerpts to flesh out themes across case types, examining, for example, the gendering of these offenses, the signaling of offenses, histories of intimate terrorism, planning and preparation, the possible role of mental illness, the social isolation of offenders, fascination and proficiency with weaponry, threatening changes in the life circumstances of offenders, and the role of suicidal feelings, depression, rage, extreme hatred, and vengefulness.
