From Motive to Method: How Women and Men Commit Murder Differently

Sweden boasts one of the lowest homicide rates globally, making it an unlikely setting for murder studies. However, a recent study delves into 1,570 instances of fatal violence in Sweden from 1990 to 2010, uncovering significant contrasts in the motives, methods, locations, and victims of male and female perpetrators. At least within Sweden.

Globally, men are predominantly responsible for murders, and Sweden is no exception. During the 1990s and 2000s, 90% of homicides in Sweden were committed by men. Despite a decline in the overall murder rate over these two decades, the ratio remained consistent: for every woman who killed, nine men did the same.

Consequently, male killers' patterns are far better understood than those of female offenders. A collaborative effort by researchers from Sahlgrenska Academy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, the National Board of Forensic Medicine, and the National Council for Crime Prevention in Sweden aimed to explore the motives, circumstances, methods, and victims of female homicide offenders, highlighting how they diverge from male offenders. The study revealed stark differences in the nature of deadly crimes committed by men and women against adults.

"Male offenders often engage in killing as part of an aggressive, antisocial lifestyle marked by impulsivity, externalizing behaviors, and a history of criminal activity," explains Thomas Nilsson, a researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. "In contrast, female homicide offenders typically lack the aggressive antisocial traits commonly seen in male perpetrators."

When targeting adult victims, women's methods of killing starkly differed from men's. Men frequently employed blunt objects or firearms, whereas women predominantly used sharp instruments (though they favored asphyxiation when killing children). Women's violent acts often appeared reactive, frequently targeting individuals who had previously victimized them. They usually killed someone they knew intimately — such as a partner, family member, or male acquaintance — and the crimes predominantly occurred in their own or the victim's home. In many instances, the victim was intoxicated, and the perpetrator was often under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"For women, the motive often stems from a tragic and strained relationship with the victim — whether romantic or familial — filled with conflict, stress, broken promises, and frequent violence directed at the perpetrator," says Nilsson. "In contrast, male homicides are more about using violence as a tool within their lifestyle, a way to resolve issues and achieve goals."

When the victim is a child, the distinctions between male and female homicide offenders become less pronounced. In such cases, both perpetrators are more likely to be sober compared to crimes involving adult victims.

"The murder of a child, who is almost always a family member, appears to stem from despair and desperation — a response to an unbearable situation," Nilsson explains. "While we lack data on the mental health of these offenders, it’s likely that many struggled with such issues. This is supported by the fact that roughly one-third of child homicide cases involve homicide-suicides, a pattern seen in both male and female offenders."

Regardless of gender, here are key takeaways for those in Sweden aiming to avoid either committing murder or becoming a victim: