...an approaching problem, the serial killer. A serial killer is a person who kills a number of people, usually considered over five, with a cooling off period between each murder, usually one murder at one given time). Two murders at one time occasionally happen and these murders may go on for a period of months or years until the killer is caught. Throughout the last three decades the US serial killer rate has risen 94% and it is estimated that by the next millennium it will claim an average of 11 lives a day. Serial Murder is an epidemic; there are at least 35 serial killers active in the USA today who claim one third of the annual murder rate. The USA has 6% of the world's population yet it has three quarters of all serial killers. Not only are serial killers appearing in more numbers in the US but also all over the world countries are terrorized by serial killers, which are appearing in more numbers year and year after. KILLER TRAIT: A serial killer is a typical white male, 20-30, and most of them are usually in the USA. Their main motives are sex (even though the act of sex may or may not take place), power, manipulation, domination and control. The sex motive is usually rape for an organized killer and sadism for a disorganized killer. They act in a series of 5 or more murders with a cooling off period between each murder. Serial killers can go on for months and years before they are usually caught. The victim is usually the same for every killer - prostitute, hitchhiker etc...
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...Serial Killers: America's New Epidemic. Serial killers have been around since the dawn of history, their numbers multiplying exponentially within the past five decades. In recent years, words such as "baffling" and "mysterious" have become routine to describe the growing phenomenon. It is imperative to develop a workable solution and general understanding of these predators in human form as a new wave of serial murders reach crisis rates in this millennium. More than fifteen-hundred serial killers are on record at this time. Though serial murder is not "new", the numbers have gone up in recent years. From 1900 to 1959 the U.S. reported about two serial murder cases a year. By 1969, six cases per year were logged. During the 1970s that number tripled. "An average of three per month have been reported since 1985."(Newton 120). It is still not determined why serial killers kill, however, understanding the causes and recognizing the traits of a serial murderer will help the public better prevent and protect themselves from falling victim to a serial killer. North America has produced eighty percent of serial killers. Europe runs a distant second with a mere sixteen percent, and Third World nations spawn four percent of the world's known serial killers, but recent numbers from South Africa and Latin America are beginning to alter those statistics. "Though the U.S. has only about 5 percent of the world population, it has produced 76 percent of known serial killers since 1900" (Apsche...
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...A serial killer is someone who has killed at least three people due to psychological gratification and the killings usually have a break between them. The FBI considers a serial killer someone who kills in sets of about two or three. Although serial killers usually kill for psychological gratification that isn’t the only reason, some other popular motives are: the thrill of killing, intense anger, and sexual desires. The man that earned credit for coining the term “serial killer” was a FBI agent named Robert Resseler in 1971. There is a surprising amount of similarities between traits and the personality of serial killers and future serial killers. Referred to as the Macdonald Triad these three behaviors were noted in a vast majority of serial killers: in their youth many serial killers (about 90%) would often act out their fantasies on animals , wetting the bed at an unusually advanced age (57%), and showing an interest in pyromania as juveniles. Serial killers typically come from rather dysfunctional families, resulting in them isolating themselves and not having too many close friends, if any at all. On the other hand, some psychopaths come off as friendly and charming due to their ability to imitate the emotions and...
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...John Wayne Gacy: The Killer Clown Serial Killers Abstract John Wayne Gacy was a serial killer and rapist. John Wayne Gacy murdered and sexually assaulted young boys. John Gacy killed and hid his victim’s bodies in the crawl space of his home. John seemed like a normal man, he was well-respected in his community. John was a psychopath who had no remorse. When john was captured he was able to give a detailed drawing of where all the bodies could be found. John was sentenced to the death penalty. The term serial killer was a term no one had heard of until about forty years ago. There are many definitions to the term serial killer. Each definition differs by the number of murders, the serial killers motivation, and the characteristics of the murders. The most known one is the FBI’s definition, which is “the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender, in separate events.” Numerous people may confuse the term serial killer with mass murders and spree killers. There are six categories of motive types of serial killers. These categories are visionary, mission-oriented, thrill-orientated, lust, power and control, and gain motivated. The visionary type means they hear voices or have visions and they are psychotic. The mission-oriented serial killers will kill a certain type or person because they think that they are bettering the world. The thrill-oriented type will kill because they have fun doing it. The lust motivated killers will kill because it turns them...
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...Serial killers have captivated the minds of people for years. Everyone wants to know why Dahmer or Bundy claimed the lives of innocent people in the heinous crimes that they committed. Serial killers are complex creatures and a lot of things can contribute to why they come to kill people. Most people believe that all serial killers are dysfunctional, lonely people who keep to themselves and have little to no social interaction. However, a majority of killers appear to be your average citizen and are seemingly normal. Another common belief about serial killers is that they just travel everywhere, killing as many people as they can and that they cannot stop. In reality, not all, but most killers have a specific geographic location and a specific...
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...Looking into the minds of serial killers is a tricky task, a couple questions to start with are questions such as what is a Serial killer? According to the FBI’s version of the definition, a serial killer is conventionally defined as a person who murders three or more people in a period of over a month, with “cooling down” time between murders. “For a serial killer, the murders must be separate events, which are most often driven by a psychological thrill or pleasure. Serial killers often lack empathy and guilt, and most often become egocentric individuals; these characteristics classify certain serial killers as psychopaths.” (crime museum editors, 2017). Xxx explain quote Even though the definition seems straightforward, multiple others...
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...A serial killer is someone who kills at least three victims one by one in a series of sequential murders, with a form of psychological gratification as the primary motive. The need for psychological gratification distinguishes serial killers from other types of murderers, who usually murder for things like profit or revenge. Because an element of psychological instability is involved in serial killing, many serial killers are committed to mental institutions if and when they are caught, reflecting a general belief that they are not of sound mind. While many people think of serial murder as a crime which emerged in the 20th century, it is actually quite ancient. Documents from places like China indicate that serial killers were operating well before the common era, and some particularly notorious serial killers like Erzsebet Bathory and Jack the Ripper date to periods before the 20th century. It is true, however, that the number of serial killings seems to have increased in the 20th century, perhaps due to increased population or social and cultural shifts. As a general rule, someone does not start out life as a serial killer. The progress from ordinary individual to serial killer may begin early in life, but it proceeds in stages, beginning with crimes like arson, progressing to animal abuse, and then moving into the realm of human abuse. The reasons why people develop into serial killers are not known, although many show signs of childhood trauma and abuse. Psychologists...
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... (g) Criticism/evaluation (a) Carlisle, A. L. (1993). The Divided Self: Toward an Understanding of the Dark Side of a Serial Killer. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 17(2), 23-36. (b) Hale, Robert L. (1993). The Application of Learning Theory to Serial Murder. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 17(2), 37-45. (c) Linden, Rick. (2012). Criminology: A Canadian Perspective (7th ed.). Toronto: Nelson (d) Feminism & Psychology (e) DOI: 10.1177/09593535091022242009; 19; 267 (f) Feminism Psychology (g) Ross Bartels and Ceri Parsons (h) The application of learning theory to serial murder “you too can learn to be a serial killer” Robert Hale * Popular ideas see killings by deranged or irrational individual * This article: killer behaving in a manner which makes sense to killer perceived to be wrong * Viewed as senseless and violent form of criminal behavior * Holmes and DeBurger * Published comprehensive examination of serial murder * Rooted in Sigmund Freud * Furthered in Dollar and Miller’s theory of “frustration-aggression” * Internalized humiliation is a motive Serial murder reviewed * Category of multicide * Differentiates between crimes of serial murder, spree murder, and mass murder * Holmes and DeBurger: 5 primary elements of serial murder (focuses on traits of perpetrator) * Murders usually one on one relationships * Relationship between...
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...cases people who commit crimes were fatalities of other types of crimes before. There are different types of crimes, but I am going to centre on one type of contemporary crime, which is serial murder, and I will also not forget to look at the incidence, nature, causes and lessening and prevention measures also of serial murder. Understanding Serial Murder/ conceptualisation “South African criminal law defines murder as the unlawful and intentional killing of another person”, Bezuidenhout (2011). In other words the killing must be unlawful in order to be defined as murder. The perpetrator may not be found guilty of murder if she/he claims it was self-defence. Bezuidenhout (2011) , also emphasis that the killing also has to be intentional in order to be labelled as murder. For example if sixteen people die in a car accident. The tax driver may be guilty for not driving like he is expected but he the killing may not be defined a murder. There are many different types of murder, but I will focus on Serial murder. “Serial Murder is defined as the killing of multiple victims over the period of time ranging from days or weeks to months” Adler et al (1996). Adler et al, also emphasis that Serial murders have a minimum of three to four victims. All serial murders turn to have many things in common.“Serial murders tend to be highly mobile in order to minimise the likelihood of establishing links between the murder they commit between various geographic”, Addler (1996). It has been argued...
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...Is cheating and murder analogous? Is it the adrenaline rush of possibly getting caught? Maybe it’s like a drug once you start it you can’t stop. The legal definition of a serial killer is someone who has killed at least three people in a matter of thirty days. All serial killers are psychopaths and sociopaths, but be that as it may not all sociopaths and psychopaths are killers. To know a killer we have to get into the mindset of one. Nevertheless, the question that still stands is what makes a serial killer? The dictionary definition of a serial killer is a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and typically following a characteristic, predictable pattern (Oxford). What is a sociopath? A sociopath is a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience ( Dictionary). What is a psychopath? A psychopath is a person with a psychopathic personality, which manifests as amoral and antisocial behavior, lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships, extreme egocentricity, failure to learn from experience, etc (Dictionary)....
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...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 usually...
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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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...Twisted, wretched thoughts flood the minds of these adrenaline seeking beings. Alike how some might be overcome with an adrenaline rush during a roller coaster or a haunted house, these people seek the same rush. Although they feel there is only one way to achieve it, and that way is to kill. Kill with no mercy and in large quantities with nothing but a selfish motive. Perhaps two of today’s best known serial killers are H.H. Holmes and John Wayne Gacy. Though they both possess similarities, such as their love for torture and their gender, they had different ways of going about their planned murders. Holmes held his victims in building that was used still being used for public use. On the other hand, Gacy tortured his victims in the privacy...
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...interviewed him or her, he knew the right questions to ask. Ressler knew each person’s back ground (childhood upbringing, relationships with family and people in his and her lives, employment history, social behaviors, motives for killings (Films Media Group, 2001). Robert Ressler interviewed a 6ft 9in 300 pound man in prison who killed 11 people including his grandparents, mother, and college female students by psychologically torturing each person then decapitating them (Films Media Group, 2001). The motivation for the killings were clearly unknown other than the fact that he clearly enjoyed torturing and ripping heads off his victims. Mr. Robert Ressler’s profiling skills was put to the test when conducting an interview with the serial killer. The time of the interview proved not to be at Ressler's favor because it happened to be at a time when the guards were serving other prisoners food, and were not available at his time of need. The serial killer realized that the guard was not there to let Ressler out after the interview and decides to psychologically torture him by telling him “how easy it would be for him to rip his head off his body” (Films Media Group, 2001). Ressler spent 45 minutes or so using his negotiating skills to negotiate with the serial killer to save his own life, until the guard came and let him out. The stress Ressler must have been under that day will forever haunt him (Films Media Group, 2001). Transfer of learning is learning rapidly while developing...
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...death are twisted into a passion to kill. Otherwise a “typical” individual, serial killers turn to violence and death in search of power over others, and to explore their fatal addiction to their monstrous thrills. Most of society views serial killers as they are portrayed on television. There’s Dexter, the handsome serial killer who, while leading a normal life, takes it upon himself to rid all of the “bad guys” in the world in order to fulfill his need to kill. Then there’s Freddy Kruger, a disfigured dream stalker who uses a glove armed with razors to kill his victims in their dreams, causing their deaths in the waking world as well. Just to name a few others, there's also The Jigsaw Killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Leatherface, Michael Meyers and the infamous Chucky. All of these characters are created to exaggerate something that is not only feared in movie theaters, but in real life as well. But what exactly makes a serial killer? While many of these movies and television programs try and make our minds believe that fiction is reality, there are no such things as ‘dream stalkers’ and talking dolls. A real-life serial killer can be distinguished (not by a scary masks) through the many distinctive patterns in their social and mental behavior, unusual childhood, murder periods, and Modus Operandi; all of which are fashioned in different ways to create a cold blooded murderer. Serial Killers are normally classified by their social and organizational skills. Their social...
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