British female serial killers are rare, but there are notable cases that have drawn attention in both forensic psychology and the study of psychopathy. Here are some prominent British female serial killers whose mental health diagnoses have been considered in their profiles:

1. Myra Hindley (1942–2002)

Crimes: Hindley, along with her partner Ian Brady, committed the infamous "Moors Murders" during the 1960s, targeting five children.

Mental Health Considerations: Psychopathy and narcissism were considered in evaluations of Hindley, particularly in terms of her relationship with Brady, which may have played a role in her willingness to participate in the crimes. Some psychologists argue she had significant dependency on Brady, though full psychopathy diagnoses were not widely concluded.

Psychological Profile: She was often described as manipulative and cold, which fits the traits of certain personality disorders, though she was not formally diagnosed with any condition during her trial.

2. Rosemary West (b. 1953)

Crimes: Rose, along with her husband Fred West, was responsible for the torture and murder of at least ten women between 1971 and 1987. Their crimes involved sexual assault and extreme violence.

Mental Health Considerations: Diagnoses of personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), were considered in Rosemary West’s case. The combination of psychopathic traits and her abusive upbringing might have influenced her behavior.

Psychopathy: Rosemary West exhibits many traits associated with psychopathy, including lack of remorse, manipulativeness, and a history of violent behavior.

3. Joanna Dennehy (b. 1982)

Crimes: Dennehy murdered three men in 2013 in what was later called the "Peterborough Ditch Murders."

Mental Health Considerations: She was diagnosed with psychopathic and antisocial personality disorders. Her case is particularly significant for the study of female psychopathy, as she demonstrated a lack of empathy, impulsivity, and sadism.

Psychopathy: Dennehy’s case is one of the few instances where psychopathy was formally diagnosed in a British female killer, with experts highlighting her pleasure in committing violent acts and her lack of emotional response.

4. Beverley Allitt (b. 1968)

Crimes: Known as the "Angel of Death," Allitt was convicted of killing four children and attempting to murder others while working as a nurse in 1991.

Mental Health Considerations: Allitt was diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder where caregivers intentionally harm those under their care for attention or sympathy. This diagnosis is distinct from psychopathy but is relevant to the forensic understanding of her actions.

Psychopathy: While not diagnosed as a psychopath, Allitt’s detachment from the harm she inflicted may overlap with some psychopathic traits, such as emotional coldness and manipulativeness.

Research Focus in Forensic Psychology

Psychopathy in Female Serial Killers: Psychopathy in women may manifest differently than in men. Female psychopathic traits can often include emotional manipulation, using relationships to control others, and less outward aggression compared to male counterparts.

Mental Health Diagnoses: Diagnosing psychopathy or other personality disorders in female serial killers can be complex, as it involves disentangling factors like abuse histories, relationship dynamics, and societal expectations of female behavior. These cases are often intertwined with disorders like borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, or even PTSD.

If you're writing a case study, these individuals provide key examples for exploring psychopathy, mental health diagnosis, and the unique presentation of these traits in female serial killers.

Thank you very much indeed Erin Fry and Beata Jankowska. Both really helpful. I am currently tasked with writing a case study on Joanna Dennehy.

I am very grateful to the contributions of Rosemary West. it is worth of note.

Well, there are a few, at least. Mary Ann Cotton- also known as the Dark Angel- was born in 1932 and holds the grim title of the first female serial killer. She was a mother, nurse, and housekeeper and this allowed her to stay in the background. Once arrested and put on trial for the poisoning of twenty-three people, eleven of her own children and three of her husbands, her count was up to twenty-three by the time she was arrested. Once found guilty and obliterating the perception of women in the Victorian era, she was hanged at Durham jail in the year 1873.

This story and more can be found at: Rhiannon Elizabeth Jenkins https://restless.co.uk/leisure-and-lifestyle/art-and-culture/the-uks-most-prolific-female-serial-killers/