The American Economy and Serial Murder

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a research proposal that aims to analyze the statistical relationship between four national economic indicators -- real GDP (gross domestic product), unemployment rates, the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the presence of recessions -- and the number of murders attributed to serial murders between 1950 and 2000. The paper aims to determine whether economic downturns can motivate serial killers, like other criminals, toward action.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Expected Results

From the Paper:

"After all, even if the study demonstrates correlation, it can not indicate exactly why such correlation exists. If we learn that there is a relationship between economic performance and serial murder, it may not be because serial killers become depressed or enraged by economic decline. It may simply be that economic fluctuations increase opportunities for serial killers. For example, a down economy may lead to increases in homelessness or prostitution, which would aid serial killers who prey upon those groups. In short, the "why" behind any correlation will have to be the subject of future inquiry. In fact, many future lines of inquiry could be opened by my research. I believe this research could prove to be an important first step in a new area of study."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barber, M. (2003, Feb. 21). Serial killers: They're not always who we think. Seattle Post- Intelligencer. Viewed Aug. 21, 2007, at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/109156_sinclairmissing21.shtml
• Bernstein, J. and Houston, E. (2000). Crime and work: What we can learn from the low- wage labor market. Economic Policy Institute. Viewed Aug. 20, 2007, at http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/books_Crimeandwork.
• Chiu, W.H. and Madden, P. (2007, April). Crime, punishment, and background risks. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. Vol. 62, Iss. 4.
• Collins, W.J. and Smith, F.H. (2007, July). A neighborhood-level view of riots, property values, and population loss: Cleveland 1950-1980. Explorations in Economic History. Vol. 44, Iss. 3.
• Evidence from the states: California and Texas (2001). National Center for Policy Analysis. Viewed Aug. 20, 2007 at http://www.ncpa.org/studies/s193/s193g.html.

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