Taiwan serial killer Chen Chin-hsing was suspected of being behind 15 rapes in the past six months, investigators said yesterday.
Criminal Investigation Bureau officers will try to confirm through DNA tests if Chen, who gave himself up to police after holding a South African diplomat's family hostage on Wednesday, was also a serial sex attacker.
Police suspect Chen is a rapist because he matches descriptions given by victims.
Criminologists told Taipei newspapers Chen might have wanted to relieve himself of pressure by satisfying his 'extremely strong' sexual urge.
Chen has admitted to six serious crimes - including a role in the kidnapping and murder of 17-year-old Pai Hsiao-yen, daughter of TV actress Pai Ping-ping.
Chen yesterday told police that 12 pistols and 300 rounds of bullets possessed by him and his accomplices, Lin Chun-sheng and Kao Tien-min, were supplied by a man known as 'Mad White'. But he said he did not know the supplier's background.