What is Mass Murder: An Archival Exploratory Study of Three Competing Definitions Of Mass Murder

Varying definitions of mass murder are used within the law enforcement and academic communities. Most of the variances involve a difference in the number of fatalities that occur during the commission of the mass homicide. This study investigates these varying definitions and attempts to establish possible statistical similarities and/or differences among the three most prominent definitions of mass murder. Archival data from secondary sources were used in identifying cases of single offender perpetrated mass murder. Significant results from chi-square analyses indicated higher occurrence at a residence location and familial relationship within the offender group with 3 fatalities. In addition, significant results identified lower occurrences of residence location mass homicides and familial relationships within the offender group with 5 or more victims. No significant relationships were found between offender fatality group and history of violence, previous psychiatric diagnosis, and offender outcome.