Which statement best describes spree killings?

Which statement best describes spree killings?

• A. They constitute multiple separate incidents with cooling-off periods.
• B. They occur at a single location with no cooling-off period.
• C. The killing constitutes a single event that can last a short time or a day or more and can occur at multiple locations.
• D. They are planned in advance and only target government officials.

Answer: (C)

Spree killings are defined by a sequence of murders that occur across multiple locations without a meaningful cooling-off period, all part of one continuous episode. The attacker may move from place to place, and the total event can be brief or extend over hours or even a day or more. This combination of multiple sites and the lack of a pause between killings distinguishes it from other patterns: mass murder involves many victims at a single location, while serial murder involves separate incidents with a noticeable break or cooling-off period. Targets and planning can vary in spree cases, but the defining feature is the uninterrupted flow of violence across locations.

Spree killings are defined by a sequence of murders that occur across multiple locations without a meaningful cooling-off period, all part of one continuous episode. The attacker may move from place to place, and the total event can be brief or extend over hours or even a day or more. This combination of multiple sites and the lack of a pause between killings distinguishes it from other patterns: mass murder involves many victims at a single location, while serial murder involves separate incidents with a noticeable break or cooling-off period. Targets and planning can vary in spree cases, but the defining feature is the uninterrupted flow of violence across locations.