624 Book Reviews

Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives. By Robert K. Ressler, Ann W. Burgess, and John E. Douglas. Lexington, Mass.: Lexington Books, 1988, 234 pages, $32.95.

This book examines two major aspects of sexual homicide: (1) research findings on the psychological, behavioral, and motivational characteristics derived from a sample of 36 convicted, incarcerated murderers; and (2) responses to these offenders by law enforcement personnel, criminal justice officials, and victims and their families. Included in this informative, well- organized volume are chapters which address two important areas of victi- mology: the post-traumatic grief reactions of homicide victims’ families, a category of traumatic stress studies which to date has received relatively lit- tle attention in the professional literature; and a discussion of victim strate- gies for the prevention and minimization of violence during actual assault situations. While focusing extensively on procedures employed by law en- forcement personnel in the investigation of sexual homicide, the informa- tion presented in this well-written book also has significant implications for a broad range of professionals, clinicians, and researchers who are concerned with the prevention and treatment of traumatic stress reactions engendered by sexual violence.

David Mackey, M.A. Vietnam Veterans Counseling Center

St. Petersburg, Florida