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Necrophilia, derived from the Greek words “nekros” meaning “dead body” and “philia” meaning “love,” is a paraphilia characterised by a sexual attraction to corpses. It is a rare and highly stigmatised phenomenon, often sensationalised in popular media but poorly understood in both clinical and forensic contexts. This article explores the psychological, legal, and social aspects of necrophilia, supported by scientific research and clinical insights.

Keywords: necrophilia psychology, understanding necrophilia, necrophilia classification, necrophilic behaviour, necrophilia prevalence, necrophilia treatment, necrophilia legal implications, necrophilia ethical considerations, causes of necrophilia

Necrophilia is defined as a paraphilia where an individual experiences sexual arousal from contact with dead bodies. According to the DSM-5, paraphilias are classified as intense and persistent sexual interests that are atypical in nature (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Necrophilia, however, is not included as a specific diagnosis in the DSM-5, which reflects the rarity and complexity of this condition.

Necrophilia can be classified into several subtypes based on motivations and behaviours. Rosman and Resnick (1989) identified three primary categories:

1. Necrophilic Fantasy: Individuals fantasise about engaging in sexual acts with corpses but do not act on these fantasies.
2. Necrophilic Behaviour: Individuals engage in sexual acts with corpses, but the primary motivation is not sexual arousal, such as in cases of opportunistic necrophilia during the commission of another crime.
3. Necrophilic Homicide: Individuals kill to obtain a corpse for sexual purposes.

Several psychological theories have been proposed to explain necrophilia. Psychoanalytic theories suggest that necrophilia may stem from unresolved oedipal conflicts, where the attraction to a lifeless body represents a way to exert control and avoid rejection (Freud, 1917). Another theory posits that it is a form of sexual sadism, where the necrophile derives pleasure from the ultimate domination over a completely submissive partner (Money, 1988).

A more recent approach is the cognitive-behavioural model, which suggests that necrophilia may develop through conditioning processes, where the individual associates corpses with sexual arousal due to prior experiences or exposure to specific stimuli (Marshall & Barbaree, 1990).

Necrophilia is an extremely rare paraphilia, with limited empirical data available on its prevalence. Most of the documented cases are based on clinical case studies or forensic reports. Studies have found that most necrophiles are male, with the majority of reported cases involving individuals with a history of sexual deviancy or criminal behaviour (Prins, 1985).

Ed Gein, also known as the “Butcher of Plainfield,” was an American murderer and body snatcher who inspired characters in several horror movies, including Norman Bates in Psycho. In the 1940s and 1950s, Gein exhumed bodies from local graveyards and used the remains to create various items such as clothing and household objects. Although he was not technically a necrophile in the strict sense—since there was no direct evidence of him engaging in sexual acts with the corpses—his case is often associated with necrophilia due to his obsession with the dead and his use of their body parts for his macabre creations (Crime Library, 2024).

One of the most notorious serial killers in history, Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes included necrophilia, cannibalism, and the preservation of body parts. Dahmer murdered 17 young men between 1978 and 1991, often engaging in sexual acts with their corpses. He was known to keep skulls and other body parts as trophies. Dahmer’s psychological profile revealed deep-seated issues of control and abandonment, which he attempted to resolve through his horrific acts (Wikipedia, 2024).

Ted Bundy, an infamous American serial killer, confessed to murdering 30 women across seven states in the 1970s, though the true number is believed to be much higher. Bundy often returned to the sites of his crimes to perform sexual acts with the decomposing bodies of his victims. His case highlights the intersection of necrophilia with other violent sexual behaviours, such as sadism and rape. Bundy’s ability to maintain a facade of normalcy, despite his horrific crimes, has made him a subject of psychological study and public fascination (Wikipedia, 2024).

One of the few documented cases of female necrophilia, Karen Greenlee was a mortuary worker in California who confessed to engaging in sexual activities with corpses. In 1979, she was arrested after being found in possession of a stolen hearse and a dead body. Greenlee later wrote a detailed confession in which she described her attraction to corpses, leading to widespread media coverage. Her case is notable because it challenges the assumption that necrophilia is exclusively a male phenomenon (Wikipedia, 2024).

Dennis Nilsen, also known as the “Muswell Hill Murderer,” was a British serial killer who murdered at least 15 young men in London between 1978 and 1983. Nilsen lured his victims to his home, where he would strangle them and subsequently engage in sexual acts with their corpses. He would often keep the bodies for several days, sometimes even bathing and dressing them. Nilsen’s crimes were discovered when human remains were found blocking a drain near his home. His case remains one of the most chilling examples of necrophilia in recent history (Wikipedia, 2024).

Necrophilia is illegal in many jurisdictions around the world. In Australia, engaging in sexual acts with a corpse is considered a criminal offence under various state laws. The legal repercussions often include imprisonment and mandatory psychiatric evaluation (Victoria Government, 2023).

Ethically, the act is considered a severe violation of the dignity and rights of the deceased. It is often associated with broader concerns about respect for the dead and the societal norms governing the treatment of human remains.

Given the rarity of necrophilia, there is no standard treatment protocol. However, approaches that have been used in managing other paraphilias, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), have been suggested (Laws & Marshall, 2003). CBT aims to restructure the individual’s thoughts and behaviours related to their sexual attraction to corpses. Pharmacological interventions, such as anti-androgens and SSRIs, may also be considered to reduce sexual drive.

It is essential for treatment to be tailored to the individual’s specific needs, with a focus on addressing any underlying psychological conditions, such as personality disorders or trauma, that may be contributing to the paraphilia.

Necrophilia remains one of the most misunderstood and under-researched paraphilias. Its complex psychological underpinnings and the severe legal and ethical implications associated with the act make it a challenging subject for both clinicians and researchers. Greater awareness and scientific research are necessary to develop effective treatment strategies and to understand the factors contributing to this rare and complex condition.

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Crime Library. (2024). The Necrophilous Character. Retrieved from Crime Library.
• Freud, S. (1917). Mourning and Melancholia. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 237-258). London: Hogarth Press.
• Laws, D. R., & Marshall, W. L. (2003). Sexual Deviance: Issues and Controversies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Marshall, W. L., & Barbaree, H. E. (1990). Handbook of Sexual Assault: Issues, Theories, and Treatment of the Offender. New York: Springer.
• Money, J. (1988). Paraphilias: Phenomenology and Classification. In R. C. Friedman & J. Downey (Eds.), Sexual Disorders: Perspectives on Diagnosis and Treatment (pp. 208-222). New York: Guilford Press.
• Prins, H. (1985). The Prevention of Violence. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Rosman, J. P., & Resnick, P. J. (1989). Sexual attraction to corpses: A psychiatric review of necrophilia. Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry & the Law, 17(2), 153-163.
• Victoria Government. (2023). Criminal Offences Relating to Necrophilia. Retrieved from Victoria Government Website.
• Wikipedia. (2024). Incidents of necrophilia. Retrieved from Wikipedia.

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