The grip of crime: Analyzing strangulation and asphyxiation typologies in homicide cases

Strangulation-related homicides represent a complex and under-researched form of violent crime, characterized by distinct behavioral and situational elements. The aim of the research was to identify perpetrator typologies in strangulation homicides and to analyze their relationships with victim characteristics and crime scene factors. A retrospective analysis of 200 systematically sampled cases from the Radford/Florida Gulf Coast University Serial Killer Database employed Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) to examine 42 behavioral variables. The analysis revealed four primary typologies: Excessive (characterized by severe violence beyond lethality, including mutilation and torture), intended (marked by premeditation and organizational elements), personal (distinguished by intimate engagement and direct manual methods), and sexual (defined by sexual assault and sadistic behaviors). Statistical analysis demonstrated significant correlations between offender–victim relationships, crime scene characteristics, and degrees of violence within each typological category, with 97% of cases fitting distinctly into one category and 3% showing hybrid characteristics. The findings provide empirically based frameworks for forensic profiling and inform specific investigative strategies aligned with each typological pattern. These results equip law enforcement with targeted investigation and risk assessment approaches, potentially leading to more accurate offender identification and prevention efforts. The research advances the understanding of psychological and situational factors in strangulation-related homicides, contributing to both forensic literature and practical applications in criminal investigations.