Author Identifier
Date of Award
2023
Keywords
necrophilia, childhood sexual abuse, childhood emotional abuse, systematic review, family dynamics
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts Honours
School
School of Arts and Humanities
First Supervisor
Natalie Gately 
0000-0002-8687-9540
Second Supervisor
James Finney 0000-0001-5276-414X
Abstract
Sexual attraction to corpses is a disturbing concept to those who do not achieve sexual gratification from the stimuli. Due to this reason, as well as ethical concerns with relations and methods of obtaining, there has been little to no research on correlations between behaviours and psychological concepts. This is especially evident since the 1980s after the bulk of the literature on necrophilia was published. This systematic review looked at the existing literature on necrophilia and, in addition to reviewing the aetiology, aimed to identify cases that included individuals' upbringings and childhoods. Out of all existing literature, only 11 sources met the established selection criteria. Six cases provide evidence of childhood abuse, with half of these surrounding evidence of childhood sexual abuse and the other half surrounding childhood emotional abuse. Within the six cases, common themes that were highlighted included dysfunctional family dynamics (controlling mothers and distant fathers), maladaptive coping mechanisms (substance abuse and escapism in sexually charged fantasy worlds) and an inherent need for control (demonstrated through victim selection, modus operandi and post-mortem interactions/treatment). This systematic review highlights that the necrophiliac aetiology is primarily outdated and that more contemporary psychological reasonings, like the effect of childhood abuse and a need for control, may have more credible correlations in behaviour. As this systematic review highlights the potential correlation between childhood abuse, it is recommended that further research be conducted in this area.
Recommended Citation
Foxcroft, S. (2023). Systematic review of necrophilia aetiology focusing on the link between childhood sexual abuse and necrophiliac behaviours. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1635