Which term describes the killing of several people by one offender over a period of time?

• A. Serial murder
• B. Mass murder
• C. Intimate partner violence
• D. Rape

Answer: (A)

Serial murder describes a sequence of killings carried out by one offender across months or years, with a period of time (the cooling-off period) between each killing. This separation into distinct events is the defining feature that shows a pattern spanning over time, rather than a single incident. Investigators look for this repeated behavior and the pauses between murders to categorize the crime as serial murder. In contrast, mass murder involves many victims killed in a single, ongoing event with no extended break, while intimate partner violence refers to abuse within a intimate relationship and isn’t defined by multiple murders over time. Rape is a different violent crime focused on sexual assault, not homicide.