Shocking and revolting come to mind.
I agree that the media failed miserably to connect this openly with psychopathy or even pathology. Perhaps too many women would call their lawyers or the police describing their abusive partner in precisely those terms? He was also mentioned as an ex-soldier, so obviously associations were kept to a minimum.
On the other hand, the media could have used Philpott as a 'classic' example of a psychopath, classic in the sense that almost everyone might agree that this character is mad, not to mention dangerous. So perhaps it is better that the horrific, exaggerated facts of this case speak for themselves and the general public is left to read between the lines and learn that it is a subtle predator that works over time?
My question, is it better that the MSM mention psychopathy but only in the context of one-off aberrations, or not address the topic at all?
from a related article on the case (_http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9967246/Derby-fire-police-defend-controversial-use-of-bugging.html), the Guardian did a nice job of 'highlight[ing] why [the police] have the power.'
The decision on covert surveillance goes through the Chief Constable's office and the office of the Surveillance Commissioner, before being scrutinised by the trial judge.
Assistant Chief Constable of Derby Poilce Steve Cotterill said: "The decision is never taken lightly and it is not a tactic we deploy regularly. We have to ask ourselves whether it is proportional, whether it is legal and whether it is necessary.
"But there are times where we have to deploy it and this case highlights why we have the power."
He said the force is "very, very tightly controlled" on its use of covert recording, with annual inspections taking place, but said "in the last nine years we have had "very, very favourable reports".
I get the feeling they could have easily prosecuted Philpott without the surveillance data, but this is a case too good to pass up the opportuity...'everyone' can agree that surveillance was necessary to put away a monster like Philpott.