Evolution Of A Serial Killer Analysis

Though serial killer may have a fairly specific definition, there is no single precise profile for the serial killer. Each has a unique identity, set of motives and methods, and a unique psychopathology that would attempt to explain the mens rea, that is, the purpose or intent of the murder. “Psychological profiling is an investigative tool used strictly to answer the how of the crime, not the why” (Severence et al, 1992; Lanier and Henry, 1998). By examining the psychological make-up of the serial killer, it is often possible to explain the behavior, which might make it a useful tool in solving crimes.

Los Angeles, California went through a time period where serial killings happened and the suspect was on the run for over two decades. Most of the victims were prostitutes in South Los Angeles. The serial killer began his killings in 1987, apparently stopped for 13 years then resumed with his killings. The killer left little to no evidence, besides his DNA from sexually assaulting his female victims. For decades LAPD failed to find the killer or anyone who was related to him (Dolan & Landsberg, 2010).

Statistically, the average serial killer is a white male from a lower-to-middle-class background, usually in his twenties or thirties. Many were physically or emotionally abused by parents. Some were adopted. As children, fledgling serial killers often set fires, torture animals, and wet their beds (these red-flag behaviors are known as the “triad” of symptoms.) Brain injuries are common. Some are very intelligent and have shown great promise as successful professionals. They are also fascinated with the police and authority in general (Scott).

While watching the news a report comes in that a serial killer has been brought down and arrested. Later, a group of news reporters come up and start  talking about how this serial killer got his infamous past, killing five people in gruesome ways. One of the news reporters stated that this man become a serial killer because he was mentally handicapped due to his genes when another reporter states that it was due to the abusive environment the serial killer was in during childhood. These two reporters got into such a huge argument that the channel had to go to a break to cool them down.  These two reporters believe that they are right and the other is wrong, but what if both of them were right at the same time. The Nature vs Nurture debate all started at 1869 by the man named Francis Galton, where he proclaim the question  was human action due to the environment or genes of a human being. This argument has always been black or white, that it could only be  Nurture or  Nature. While this was true during the time, further research has shown that it is not just one but both looking through all the evidence. Human action is affected both by the environment and genes because of epigenetics and  evolution.

Well well well, we've all seen them in movies and television. They walk towards the camera with their head down, handcuffs on and a flat face. But since the rise in technology, both criminologists and forensic psychologists have started to put together the pieces on just how we can predict future serial killers.

In conclusion, although profiling serial killers is a difficult job, it is still successful in helping the community and investigators. One of the main aspects in profiling a serial killer is identifying and categorizing what type of killer the offender is. Next, investigators have to come up with a profile. This is one of the most difficult parts of the process, considering it is based off of predictions from the three different crime scenes and the victims. Investigators try and relate all the crime scenes back to one another in order to predict who the offender is going to target next. One of the downsides of profiling serial killers is the side effects of technology and social media. Since social media is a big aspect in today’s world,

Serial killers have been around for a long time and even though technology has made great strides in forensics, criminal profiling still remains a combination of an art and science. It is important to collaborate with others, preferably a professional or experienced profiler in order to best understand how a serial killer functions in order to apprehend him as quickly as possible. As Winerman stated (2004), in order to predict serial killer behavior, one must understand the behavior reflects personality. The FBI currently uses questions about behavior at four crime phases: antecedent, method and manner, body disposal, and post offense behavior. Answering as many of these questions as possible could help in predicting a killer’s next move or his whereabouts.

A serial killer could be dining, sitting, or even living next to you at this very moment. Most killers offer little to no obvious clues that will lead anyone to detect their often secretive, undercover actions. I ask myself, “How can we be so naive to these types of people?” Serial killers amongst us are often well educated, portray an All-American image, yet have a psychotic side to them.

From Ted Bundy to BTK to the “Zodiac Killer”, serial killers have been around the United States for a long time, but none is better than Richard Chase, or better known as the “Vampire of Sacramento”, to investigate the reasons behind serial killers. Born on May 23, 1950, Chase was raised in a very strict house and was constantly abused by his parents. As a

Serial murders are not just part of the United States they also happen globally. There are many investigative tools that are used when working a serial murder case and we will discuss some of those. We will also discuss the problems with the media when it comes to serial murders. We will also talk about how the criticism of the public and media can affect serial murder cases.

Serial killers murders are usually performed in a unique fashion and some even leave behind a signature. They are often categorized

Serial murder is one of the most baffling crimes that occur in the U.S. and all over the world. Knight (2006) defines serial murder as the killing of three or more people over a period of more than 30 days, with a significant cooling-off period. The cooling off period may be weeks, months or even years long. Researchers have proposed various psychological, biological and sociological theories that offer a partial understanding of the nature of serial murder. Some propose that the basis for criminal behavior is a predisposition to violence as well as a mix between environment, personality traits and biological factors. Serial killers are predominantly male. Only 3 percent of serial murders are committed by women (U.S. News and World Report,

“ Serial killers kill for the power and control they experience during the murders and for the added ego boost they get in the aftermath from community fears, media coverage, and the police investigations.” - Pat Brown. This quote defines the majority of serial killers and is hauntingly true for the Moonlight Murders. The Phantom was made a national icon in Texarkana and the United States which made the Phantom feed on all the attention. One characteristic of a serial killer is that if they are neglected or don’t get the attention they need , later in life they would take the attention of everyone.

“Serial killers are human black holes; they scare us because they mirror us,” spoke Shirley Lynn Scott, known author and psychologist. This stands true throughout history, as most serial killers blend in with society. Serial killing is formally defined by the FBI as “a series of three or more killings, having common characteristics such as to suggest the reasonable possibility that the crimes were committed by the same actor or actors.” But what exactly drives someone to kill another human being? What plays as a more drastic motivator for their actions, nature or nurture?

In order to identify serial killers before they kill repeatedly, a person needs to study the characteristics that makes up this type of criminals. Most serial killers have been abandoned, by one or both parents, they are emotionally, physically, and even