...David Berkowitz Paper Jennifer Colvin Hilbert College In class we were shown a documentary about a serial killer named David Berkowitz. David is also known as the “Son of Sam.” Berkowitz managed to frighten all of New York City when he killed six people and injured another seven in the 1970’s. “Son of Sam” had a natural urge to kill his real family, but instead attacked a 14-year old girl with a knife on Christmas Eve in 1975 (A&E Television Networks, 2014). Fortunately for her she survived the attack. Shortly after, Berkowitz committed his first crime, he had an objective to kill women for vengeance on his mother. After the first attack, David decided to use a .44 caliber gun to kill his victims instead of a knife because the knife was too personal. This continued for over a year, then he started dropping hints. He wrote letters to the police saying why he committed the crimes he did. The police discovered it was David after he got a parking ticket. The police arrested David Berkowitz on August 10, 1977. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years to life times six. David was adopted, by middle class parents, Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz. His biological mother died giving birth to him. He spent his childhood blaming himself for killing his real mom. In the Berkowitz household, David grew up having a distinct bond with his mother, Pearl, however, barely had much in common with his father, Nathan. At just 10-years old, David began to see a psychiatrist, but...
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...1977 serial killings of ‘Son of Sam, the “Girl Scout Murder, and the ‘Hillside Strangler’ had no motive and no respect for human life that’s what makes the theme of the year for 1977 ‘thirst for blood.’ On the day of August 11, 1977 the people of New York City had one less concern as they went about their busy day. That morning the headline of The New York Times paper read “Suspect in ‘Son of Sam’ Murders Arrested in Yonkers; Police Say .44 caliber weapon is recovered.” The suspect is a man named David Berkowitz. He terrorized New York City for over a year, murdering six people and wounding seven others. The ‘Son of Sam’ crimes haunted New Yorkers in a big way not only because the crimes were random and the killer had no motive but mostly because he would leave messages through the letters he wrote. This letter was written to Captain Borrelli, It was left inside the car at the scene of the crime where the bodies of Valentina Surian and Alexander Esay were found. It read: Dear Captain Joseph Borrelli, I am deeply hurt by your calling me a wemon hater. I am not. But I am a monster. I am the 'Son of Sam.' I am a little brat.When father Sam gets drunk he gets mean. He beats his family. Sometimes he ties me up to the back of the house. Other times he locks me in the garage. Sam loves to drink blood. 'Go out and kill,' commands father Sam. 'Behind our house some rest. Mostly young — raped and slaughtered — their blood drained — just bones now. Papa Sam keeps me locked in the attic...
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...Paranoid Schizophrenics and Serial Killers: Coincidence or not? Schizophrenia and serial killing is not a new phenomenon; it dates back to the 1800’s. The man credited with being the first serial killer in the United States was Herman Mudgett, a.k.a. Dr. Henry H. Holmes. Holmes did most of his killing in Illinois in the disguise of a pharmacist and is credited with 133 murders. About the same time, serial killing was also occurring in London by a man known as Jack the Ripper. Ripper’s killing started in 1888 and was never caught for the heinous murders of five prostitutes. What can cause certain people to commit such murderous acts perpetrated against other human beings? Is it just pure evil or is it some kind of a mental illness? The jury is still out on that, but some serial killers are diagnosed with a mental illness. Serial killing is not something new but has been researched more over the last few years. Douglas & Olshaker , authors of Mindhunter, state that many of the stories told years ago about vampires and werewolves could have been the results of serial killers(1995, 18). Douglas & Olshaker further state that the crimes could have been so sadistic that people thought such acts could only be committed by monsters or non-human beings (1995, 18). It is of importance to also note that serial killing differs from other forms of killing. Some of the other forms include: mass murdering, spree killing, and murders resulting from rage or passion. Serial killing...
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...characteristics that we are born with, like our genetic make-up, stable personality traits, and physical predispositions.’(Hartney, 2010).”(Examination of the). A great example of a natural born serial killer is the famous David Berkowitz most commonly known as “Son of Sam”. “Berkowitz went on a yearlong [random] killing spree in New York starting in 1976, murdering six and wounding seven others”(Ma). It is believed that genetics had the biggest part in Berkowitz psychopathic state of mind. His upbringing seemed to be appropriate. He was raised by his adopted parents Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz who gave him all the nurturing and loving that a child needs (Examination of the). “Growing up in an environment that was conducive to good mental health and an overall happiness was not enough to override David’s natural propensity for violence and it began to be noticeable by friends and neighbors that David had a violent streak”(Examination of the). It has been suspected that there were biological factors from his real family that contributed greatly to his condition and behavior. From what is known,the nurturing provided by his adoptive parents did not affect the killer’s state of mind, which was definitely what was wrong with him in the first place. Berkowitz is the example the absolute worst type of person. He really was a sick disgusting animal. He most shocking thing is that nobody made him this way. His genetic disposition was the determining factor in his horrific, violent acts...
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...not include is the disturbing behavior of pyromania. It is my desire to give a brief description and illustration of this behavior, as well as share some current statistics regarding those who might display this trend as a way to express uncommunicated emotions. In addition, I will also bring awareness to the consequences of pyromania and the action itself. Lastly, I will offer a resolution and provide biblical reproof, so that those who struggle with the desire to act immoral, can gain a better understanding of Christ and what it means to live in the spirit instead of the flesh. Description & Illustration David Berkowitz, who became infamously known as the ‘Son of Sam,’ brought terror to the streets of his community as he unleashed all of his hatred and anger by setting fires to buildings and killing innocent people. [1]. The behavior that Berkowitz displayed, probably started out as non-criminal pyromania, and then turned into criminal pyromania as he pursued other methods rather than fire alone. In looking at David’s criminal investigation, it is not surprising that like many other disturbing behaviors, acting out comes with the inability to express emotions and by not having a substantial support system in times of distress. Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, describes pyromania “as a pattern of deliberately setting fires for pleasure or satisfaction.” [2]. In many instances, this is done as a way to gain instant gratification despite the aggressive feelings...
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...He had a type of victim which was girls with brown hair and very pale. He was considered a organized psychopath killer, and he was considered a organized killer because how he had a technique. He would usually appear injured asking for them for help, and the he would knock them out cold. Ted managed to escape from police custody twice, but when he was finally caught he was sentenced to death by the electric chair. A serial killer can be a lot of things, sociopath, psychopath, delusional, schizophrenic, narcissist, or just plain ruthless. David Berkowitz was a murder of a series of shootings, and he ended up being nicknamed the “Son of Sam”. He was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, and that is a sub type of schizophrenia that has false delusions that someone is plotting something agains them. "He was sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison for the murders, making his maximum term 365 years” (Serial Killer David Berkowitz, A.K.A Son of Sam). Serial Killers would usually be studied by professionals by brain and environment, and when doctors look at the brain of a serial killer there would usually have thinner tissue in important subcortical areas. They also have brain abnormalities to make them more noticeable when looking at them. When professionals look into their environment, it could be hard to pinpoint where they could have been influenced to kill. When they were young, they could have been sexually abused, bullied, or have a family problem with alcohol or drugs. Jeffery...
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...are small, but the one thing we have in common as humans is that we all lie. Here is a lot of mystery and discussion about the real reasons that we are tempted to lie. Research (and common sense) shows that a person’s initial instinct is to serve his or her own self-interest. If we feel that there is a justifiable reason for the lie, then we are more likely to actually follow through and lie to the person. The main reason that we lie is because we do not want something to happen or we are afraid of something. Lying is done to avoid consequences and conflict as well as to protect ourselves from harm, punishment, rejection or loss. II. Body ''I didn't want to hurt them,I only wanted to kill them.'' This is a quote from David Berkowitz the Son of Sam. David Berkowitz and all of the other serial killers tend to think in unique ways. Dahmer killed various ways and then hacked his victims into several pieces, dumping the bodies into vats of acid, and Gacy molested little boys before strangling them and dumping them into the crawl space under his home. They often tend to have interesting stories behind their killings because they often see and hear things that the normal person doesn't. Schizophrenia is a common source are associated with psychotics. As we examine childhood abuse as a possible key to the serial killer's behavior, we must remember that many children have suffered horrible abuse at the hands of their parents, but did not grow up to be lust murderers. Childhood abuse is...
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...time without being caught or stopped. Unlike mass murderers, who may kill many people at one time. Serial Killers are a different breed. Serial killers usually have reasons for killing, they just don't go out and kill anyone (the majority). A serial killer will plan out where, when, why, and how before they actually kill. Many enjoy cannibalism, necrophilia, and keep their trophy - like body parts as reminders of their work. There violent behavior is usually directed against women and children. In most cases, if a serial killer tortured his victims inhumanly than the killer himself has probably had a very disturbed childhood. II. Body ''I didn't want to hurt them,I only wanted to kill them.'' This is a quote from David Berkowitz the Son of Sam. David Berkowitz and all of the other serial killers tend to think in unique ways. Dahmer killed various ways and then hacked his victims into several pieces, dumping the bodies into vats of acid, and Gacy molested little boys before strangling them and dumping them into the crawl space under his home. They often tend to have interesting stories behind their killings because they often see and hear things that the normal person doesn't. Schizophrenia is a common source are associated with psychotics. As we examine childhood abuse as a possible key to the serial killer's behavior, we must remember that many children have suffered horrible abuse at the hands of their parents, but did not grow up to be lust murderers. Childhood abuse is...
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...1970’s the western world began to be infatuated with the satanic culture. Many hit horror movies were released, the theory the Illuminati started, many cults arised, and Untermyer park got a disturbing new reputation. The sanctuary that park once was disappeared very quickly. It became the hotspot for countless satanic cults. Neighboring overnight workers in St. John Hospital reported torch flames moving in the deep woods, and strange chanting. What is now known as “Devils’ Cave” is filled with satanic drawing and cryptic markings. In 1976, findings of German Shepherd bodies were found in the aqueduct south, skinned, and beaten. In 1976, the murder spree of serial killer David Berkowitz, or “Son of Sam” was at its all time high in the city of New York and escalated the wicked frenzy. After his arrest, Berkowitz admitted to being affiliated with the cult “Process Church of Final Judgment” who had their meetings in the park and headquarters in Yonkers. Shortly after his arrest, fellow cult members died unknowingly. Today, the city of Yonkers is still in its efforts of restoring the park to its intended beauty. Programs such as the Yonkers Parks, Recreation and Conservation have helped cleaned the park and slowly but surely it is attracting well deserved fame again. During the summer, a performing arts council holds free events so that visitors can get a taste of Untermeyer’s park art and culture. In spite of all this, ghosts dwell in the park even in daytime hours. The terror and...
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...John Douglas on the Mind of a Criminal Serial killers leave fibers, hairs, and weapons which are used as evidence to build a criminal’s profile. Criminal profiling was once considered a new controversial investigative technique. When officers hit a wall in their investigation FBI special agent John Douglas and Hazelwood are called to assist. They exam crime scenes and created profiles of the suspect, describing their habits and attempting to predict their next moves. Research prison interviews were conducted over a five-year period by John Douglas and one of his colleagues interviewing on more than thirty of the most notorious serial killers in the united states. Most of the questioning focused on family life, childhood and teenage years....
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...Victimization Theory | Summarize the theory of victimization, describing its meaning and core concepts as it relates to the nature of crime. | Identify subcategories of the theory and describe each. | Apply the theory to one (1) real life example or scenario. Briefly explain why the theory applies to the example you identified. | Social Structure Theory | According to this theory, a persons position in the social structure controls his or her behavior. Those in the lowest socioeconomic tier are more likely to succumb to crime promoting elements in their environment, whereas those in the higher tier enjoy social and economic advantages that insulate them from crime producing forces. The view is that about 40 million Americans live below the poverty line, and because of their financial position most living in poverty face obstacles such as inadequate health care, substandard housing, unemployment , and poor educational opportunities which are all factors of despair and these indicators of neighborhood disorder are highly predictive of crime rates.(Siegel & Worrall, 2013, p.48} | One sub category is the “ Cultural Deviance Theory”, because of strain and social isolation a unique lower class has developed in disorganized poverty ridden neighborhoods. These subcultures maintain a unique set of values that are in conflict...
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...Serial Killing 1 Running Head: Serial Killing How to raise a Serial Killer Brenden Brewer Serial Killing 2 What makes a serial killer want to kill? What pushes them over the edge or drives them to keep killing? Many researchers including psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and FBI Agents, all have theories of what makes them tick. They come across these accusations by talking to actual serial killers themselves. They have come up with these theories by talking with Albert DeSalvo (The Boston Strangler), Albert Fish, Andrei Chikatilo, Bobby Joe Long, Carl Panzram, Charles Manson, Christopher Wilder, David Berkowitz (Son of Sam), Dennis Nilsen (the British Jeffrey Dahmer), Eddie Gein, Edmund Kemper(The Coed Butcher), Fritz Haarmann (The Butcher of Hannover), Henry Lee Lucas, Herbert Mullin (Santa Cruz Killer), Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, John Haigh (Acid Bath Murderer), Joseph Kallinger (the Enigmatic Cobbler), Kenneth Bianchi (Hillside Strangler), Leonard Lake, Patrick Mackay, Peter Kurten (The Vampire of Dusseldorf), Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker), Richard Speck, and Ted Bundy, William Heirens (the Lipstick Killer). All of them were successful serial killers and caught by authorities. First off, what makes someone a serial killer? The FBI has guidelines on how to classify a serial killer from a murderer. To be classified as a serial killer, you have to have a minimum of three to four victims with a grace period or “cooling off” period in...
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...Outline of research proposal Misty Chambers University of Phoenix PSYCH/610 Corey Vigdor June 08, 2014 Outline of research proposal Introduction What makes people so infuriated they want to kill? Is it part of genetics, chemical imbalance, biological, or their upbringing? “During 2012, there were an estimated 1.2 million violent crimes reported to law enforcement” (Latest crime stats released, 2013, table 1). With most serial killers, their instinct to kill or murder several people starts early in life. Most serial killers started out torturing and maiming animals. We all have experience with anger or rage, but those with a conscious knows the consequences of killing. We would be remorseful. However, those who have monsters or demons within tend to listen to their demons and act upon it. “It was an urge…a strong urge, and the longer I let it go the stronger it got, to where I was taking risks to go out and kill people—Edmund Kemper” (Scott, 2014, para. 1). We may never know or fully understand the mind of a serial killer, but this author is going to try. A brief statement of purpose The purpose for this proposal is to find out what really makes people so upset with other people, sometimes to people they do not even know, to want to kill them others, thus, that person becoming a known serial killer. The rationale for conducting the study This author has always been interested in serial killers since she was small. Her mother only has true crime books and this...
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...LAT1 - Serial Killers Abstract This paper that was written explores how a person is born innocent, and evolves into a monstrous and calculated serial killer. It will mention several different specific serial killers and their histories to support the facts. Another area that is explored is the difference between mass murderers and serial killers. Many times theses terms are used simultaneously; however the fact is that they are different. Reviewing the classifications, behaviors, motives, childhood neglect, sanity, and how profiling and other methods will assist in catching a serial killer. Understanding and studying serial killers can help in preventing them to start killing, or in catching them before they continue killing. Research shows that the problem of serial killing can be addressed by understanding its causes, identifying common behaviors and motivations of serial killers, and using this information to develop tools for law enforcement to prevent initial or repeated killings If a person commits a murder, it doesn’t constitute to be tagged a serial killing. I will be including material in order to define what serial killer is, and why we are so obsessed with understanding them. To fully discuss and understand serial killers, we must first distinguish the differences between them and mass murderers. The term mass murderer is often used interchangeably; however, the two terms are technically different. Mass murder occurs when a large number of people...
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...Red Dragon by Thomas Harris: A Look Inside The Serial Killer’s Mind Red Dragon by Thomas Harris is a dark piece of psychological fiction that was published in 1981. The novel is the first in a trilogy featuring the infamous character Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and psychopathic serial killer. However, Lecter is not a main character in this novel. Rather, the antagonist and killer is Francis Dolarhyde, whom the police jokingly refer to as the Tooth Fairy because of the bite marks he leaves on female victims. Harris does a masterful job of creating background on the killer that delves into the makings of a serial killer. Thomas Harris gives the reader an understanding of Dolarhyde’s mindset when committing his horrific crimes by detailing the abuses the killer suffered as a child (Sexton). Harris takes the reader from the infant born with a cleft palate so disfiguring he was left to die through the cruelty of a childhood that included abandonment, a mean and mentally unstable grandmother, and taunts from his stepsiblings. In doing so, the author provides significance to some of the killer’s actions (Cowley). This research paper will examine the underlying psychopathology of serial killers that often stems from abuse in childhood, turning the human into the monster. Red Dragon begins with the FBI and the police on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whom police have nicknamed the Tooth Fairy because of bite marks left on victims. The public is duly alarmed as the...
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