Media and mass homicides

A series of seven mass-homicides occurring in Australia, New Zealand and th e United Kingdom 1987-1996 is presented in the context of possible media in fluences. These crimes are exceptionally rare facilitating study based on s imilarity, time linkage and statements by the assailants. Time linkage sugg ests three incidents might have occurred through a modelling process. State ments link two incidents - one not being linked by time. It is argued that modelling may have occurred over a period as long as ten years. A ripple ef fect with these incidents generating other serious violence may also have o ccurred. Researchers of media influences on suicide and homicide need to ta ke into account the constraints on findings, in relation to time frames and ripple effects, imposed by macro research designs. The micro perspective a fforded by the study of very rare massive publicity linked events may gener ate new insights. These findings raise ethical dilemmas for the media.