The six types of 'Facebook killer' revealed

Police have so far tracked 48 'Facebook murders' in which killers used social media to hunt their prey or brag about sordid fantasies. 

Now UK scientists have identified six personality types that fit into this category in the first-ever study on how the social networking site can affect criminal behaviour.

They believe each killer fits into the profile of either reactor, informer, antagonist, fantasist, predator or imposter.

A reactor is the most common type of killer, responsible for 27.1 per cent of Facebook murders.

It describes someone who sees comments or photos that enrage them on Facebook, and they react violently with deadly force.

Experts believe they use Facebook as a way of demonstrating their control over the victim and the situation.

LaShanda Armstrong is an example of an informer after she asked for forgiveness on her Facebook page following an argument with her partner.

Shortly after, she drove into the Hudson river, killing herself and her three children. She wrote: 'I'm sorry everyone forgive me please for what I'm gonna do … This is it!!!'

Experts believe they use Facebook as a way of demonstrating their control over the victim and the situation.

For fantasists, the line between make believe and reality becomes blurred and murder may be a way of maintaining the fantasy or preventing others from discovering the deception.

Meanwhile, a predator creates and maintains a fake profile to lure a victim and meet them offline; and an imposter posts in the name of someone else.

This could be the victim in order to create the illusion they are still alive or another person to gain access to and monitor the victim's profile.

Dr Elizabeth Yardley and Professor David Wilson from Birmingham University looked at examples from across the world. 

The study found that 26 out of the 48 Facebook murders had occurred in Britain.