Mindhunter Research Paper

in Lunde 84). Today, however, we don't expect killers to have fangs that drip human blood, and many realize that the boy-next-door may be doing more than woodworking in his basement. While there are no specific physical characteristics shared by all serial killers, they are almost always male and 92 percent are white. Most are between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five and often physically attractive. While they may hold a job, many switch employment frequently as they become easily frustrated when advancement does not come as quickly as expected. They tend to believe that they are entitled to whatever they desire but feel that they should have to exert no effort to attain their goals (Samenow 88,96). What could possibly turn attractive, ambitious human beings into cold-blooded monsters?

One of the many age old questions facing society today, is what makes a criminal suceptible to committing that particular crime; or why was that person targeted as a victim. This question has sparked many debates within the criminal justice field, which is the reason the Behavioral Science Unit was created by the Federal Bereau of Investigation. In certain cases, knowing how a criminals mind operates, will help lead an investigation in the right direction in order to successfully arrest the correct perperatrator. Analyzing a criminals mind, is learning the rules and rituals of their game in order to catch them, before further harm is inflicited. The human mind is such a powerful tool,

“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?

CBS aired the television show “Criminal Minds” in 2005, involving a team of seven intelligent and unique individuals. It is running strong into its seventh season and continues to gain popularity from people of all ages. This elite group of individuals makes up the leading team of profilers for the Federal Bureau of Investigation Behavioral Analysis Unit. These men and women find themselves in violent and dangerous situations all the time in their career with the FBI. The drama immerses viewers into the world of crime and violence that most people do not experience. The job of these FBI agents is to profile criminals and figure out their next move so they can stop them from committing another crime to innocent people. This show not only

The question of whether or not man is predetermined at birth to lead a life of crime is a question that has been debated for decades. Are serial killers born with the lust for murder, or are their desires developed through years of abuse and torment? Many believe it is impossible for an innocent child to be born with the capability to commit a horrible act such as murder. But at the same time, how could we have corrupted society so much as to turn an innocent child into a homicidal maniac? Forensic psychologists have picked apart the minds of serial killers to find an answer as to what forces them to commit such perverse acts. Their ultimate goal is to learn how to catch a serial killer before

What causes an individual to become a serial killer? Bio-psychologists believe that starting from birth the human mind is a “tabula rasa” or blank slate, and the individual learns behaviors and socio-cultural norms from individuals around them. This concept of nature versus nurture was based upon the idea that it is how you are brought up (nurture) that governs the psychologically significant aspects of child development and the concept of maturation applies only to the biological. The theory that explains the nature aspect of the nature versus nurture principle is called the attachment theory, which views the bond between mother and child as being an innate process that ensures survival. It is a biological need that has ensured the survival of many species including the human race; because of the need to protect and be protected humans as a species has been able to endure. It is also a psychological need to want to be cared for as well as care for others a study done by Harry Harlow (1950s). The concept of nurture focuses mainly on the effect that the environment has on the development of human beings and whether it is more important than nature. Several studies have been generated to try and settle the ongoing debate of nature versus nurture.

Understanding and analyzing past serial killers motives is a vital part in stopping future killing sprees. H.H. Holmes and Dr. Harold Shipman, both considered as two of the most prolific serial killers, share many common behaviors that are necessary to be investigated. From childhood through adulthood, Holmes and Shipman are very similar when it comes to experiences, traits, motives, etc. Erik Larson, in The Devil In The White City, develops H.H. Holmes character through describing his unique attributes, which gives an inside look on why Holmes was motivated to kill so many people. Knowing H.H. Holmes motives is crucial in order to stop future serial killers from evading the police for so long like Dr. Harold Shipman.

Several serial killers have a definitive and common personality profile. Almost every major social, biological, psychological behavioural influence that has been seriously suggested as playing a role in causing crime has been thoroughly thought as potentially

There are many theories as to why people become serial killers. Almost all of these concepts are associated with the Nature vs. Nurture theory. Are serial killers born with the need to kill, or is it something that they learn to long for as they grew up? Many believe that the nurture theory is the likely concept to believe; that serial killers are created from bad childhood experiences including being abused by their parents, or molested at an early age. Psychologist and sociologist have interviewed serial killers and picked apart their minds, to find out what it is that makes them feel the need to perform these heinous crimes. It is the nature theory that they are looking for when

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.

Crime and murder are not rare occurrences in the world today. It happens all the time, and we see such cases all over the news. Not only do we witness the true accounts of this in our world, but such cases are portrayed all over the media. Murder mystery cases are seen in books, television shows and video games. In And Then There Were None, ten people are trapped on an island and one of them is the murderer. In the episode “Omnivore” of Criminal Minds, George Foyet, comes out of hiding after ten years to start killing again (Davis). Many people respond favorably to these kinds of viewing experiences; each character is different and different motives exist for those who commit the crimes. This episode of Criminal Minds differs and is similar

« Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency »  is the best television series I've ever seen. Firstly, Dirk Gently has a creative storyline. The unique storyline is very captivating as a result of its unrealistic events in a realistic setting. The show also works against the flow of the plot furthermore, the characters don't make their own decisions. The characters rely on the fundamental interconnectedness of the world to lead them to their destiny. In addition to the creative storyline, the characters are very memorable. Dirk Gently, for example, always does the unexpected and thinks outside the box. Moreover, he thinks beyond a regular human's imagination. He stands out from the ordinary world by defying society's normal standards. Also, the

Serial killers are the byproduct of many different things: trauma, death of loved ones, abuse, neglect, adoption, and even witnessing abuse (Are Serial). Serial killers have had to endure a massive amount of something such as trauma or abuse to an unimaginable extent to become what they are; the extent of the abuse, the trauma, the psychological damage they endure is incomprehensible to many. The destruction of one’s innocence can occur at any given time in his or her life, but he or she is more impressionable in his or her youth by the negativism of someone else’s actions (Scott, Shirley L. What Makes Serial Killers Tick ~ Childhood Event). People are susceptible to what they endure in their adolescence, and cruel upbringings, such as

This literature review focuses on serial killers from a psychological viewpoint while trying to answer the question, “Are serial killers born to kill or are they bred to kill?” Firstly, this review will define a serial killer and the different kinds of killers, then it will take a look at different case studies of children who fantasized about mass killing and identify similarities between the cases attempt to find a way to possibly prevent their fantasies from becoming reality. The debate of nature vs. nurture is also discussed as psychologists and researchers come to the conclusion that environmental factors play a bigger role in the developmental character of a person than genetics, but there is still no definite answer as to why some individuals grow up with the urge to murder other people and/or animals.

Many things today confuse, yet enthrall the masses. War, murder, medical science, incredible rescues, all things you would see on The History Channel. There is another topic that is also made into documentaries however, serial killers. Dark twisted people that commit multiple murders are of interest to the population, but what caused them to be this way. What horrible tragic set of events could twist a man to murder one or many people. Could Schizophrenia, psychopathy, or sociopathy? Many people have researched this topic and believe that childhood trauma, heavy drugs during the growing phase of life, as well as many other things have twisted the minds of men such as Jeffery Dahmer, Charles Manson,