Stalking Behavior

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,

The high-profile case that I chose was regarding a lady name Jodi Arias. Arias who was convicted on first degree murder. Jodi Arias killed her salesman ex- boyfriend Travis Victor Alexander on October 4, 2008 in his home in Mesa, Arizona. She was convicted on May 8, 2013, and was sentenced to life in prison. Jodi stabbed Travis multiple times with a knife, cut his throat, and then shot Travis in the head. Arias killed her ex-boyfriend Travis in the shower, after have a romantic time with him. While Travis was in the shower, and his cell phone rung and he had an incoming message and Jodi went through his phone. In regards to this after seeing the incoming message was another female; she then reacted in a violent outrage. Arias proclaimed to

The reign of fear instilled in the masses by serial killers roaming amongst us has diminished ever since its peak during the 1980’s. Christopher Beam acknowledged in his article, “Blood Loss” (2011), that better law enforcement may have been a cause for the decrease of serial killers and their crimes as well as serial killers becoming accepted in society today as a norm due to greater epidemics. Beam employs pathos with a sympathetic approach towards unfamed serial killers. He utilizes logistical analysis of credible police database reports to portray the decrease of serial killers, and uses it as a calmative for the masses.

Violent crimes happen every day in America, yet the full scope of why and how they happen are not understood by many outside of law enforcement. But within the ranks of law enforcement and the criminal justice system itself, violent crimes are examined and analyzed at length to determine both how and why the incident occurred, as well as what can be done in the future to prevent a similar event from reoccurring. Investigators use multiple methods and seek various explanations as to why a violent crime occurs. This literature will look at some of those things that investigators try to sort out in the aftermath of a violent crime, such as the killer’s modus operandi and signatures, his psychology, relation to his victims, and how the effect of gender, race, or culture might impact his violent behavior.

Organized stalking is a very well know reality occurring to an untold amount of people a crossed the United States. Our U.S Government and intelligence agencies are fully aware of this. They are also aware of its direct purpose of the slow destruction of the targeted individual’s life this includes the deliberate ending of their life. Mr. Ted L. Gunderson (1929-2011) retired from the F.B.I as Senior Special Agent – In-Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. In his affidavit dated 26 April 2011 he refers to organized stalking by its slang name gang stalking.

In the essay “What Makes a Serial Killer?” author LaDonna Beaty discusses the causes of serial killers. Beaty states, serial killers are the most hated and feared out of all the criminals. Over 5000 people will be victimized each year by serial killers alone, says Beaty. Her research estimates there are 350 serial killers within a large society. Beaty stated that investigations on serial killers had been dated back to 1911. However, she also asks, what does a serial killer look like? Beaty gives the readers great details on her ideal serial killer. For example, he will typically have bloodshot eyes, curly black hair, strong jaws, abnormal ears, straight thin lips, and menacing grins. Although, today, we can’t expect serial killers to have

Serial murder crime though rare, is not a a new phenomenon. This crime has been committed for centuries and will continue to be a crime that is committed throughout the world. It is unfortunate and scary that this is probably one of the most serious of crimes that cannot be prevented. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, serial murderers commit their crimes because they want to. Rehabilitation is not obtainable for serial killers due to their inability for remorse and empathy, or to see people as people and not objects(Knight 2006). This research paper will focus primarily on serial murder within the U.S. First and foremost, a legal definition provided by the U.S. Department of Justice will be presented to set forth the discussion of this research paper. As follows will be a detailed discussion explaining serial killer typologies with the use of examples of known serial killers in the U.S. Types of serial killers are: power oriented, mission oriented, visionary, and hedonistic, each typology will be clearly defined and explained. Some serial killers can have a mixture of each typology’s characteristic. Serial killers that will be discussed and used as examples to represent the content of this research paper will be, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Robert Berdella, Jeffery Dahmer, and lastly the most prolific serial killer in American history, Gary Ridgeway. Problems with studying serial killing, are that because of rarity and access. Most of what we think

This journal is written 3 authors: Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida and received his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati, Steven T. Holmes. Dean of the California School of Forensic Studies at Alliant International University, Eric W. Hickey, Ph.D. and Emeritus Professor in the Department of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville, Ronald M. Holmes, M.A. They constructed different types of females who are serial killers and discussed homicidal behavioral traits. It begins with differentiating

Spohn, Beichner, and Davis-Frenzel discuss Steffensmeier’s (1998) focal concerns perspective. They conclude that the focal concerns which guide prosecutors’ charging decisions are the seriousness of the crime, the amount of harm to the victim, and the suspect’s culpability. They are more likely to

Throughout the years, profiling has been successful at seeking out justice by detaining many wanted criminals, and has set the bar for many years of criminal apprehensions in many communities. Criminal characteristics are significant in all criminal investigations as much indication can reveal that the most important part for analysis is to further examine how patterns of criminal involvement emerges and transforms; this would also include examining the modus operandi (method of operation) of criminals that are relevant not only for the criminal structures, but for the general public as well (Ford, 2013).

Also, female murderers often do not engage in the traditional stalking behavior that is found in the phenomenon of serial killing. For female serial killers, the organization of the crime scene displayed characteristics of both organized and disorganized crime. Organized crime scenes are usually the result of intense planning of the crime by the offenders, whereas disorganized crime scenes are the result of spontaneous murders with little planning (Schurman, 2000). Females often have different reasons for committing serial murders than men. These reasons are mainly thought to be instrumental goals, meaning that they would receive something in return for murdering the victim such as insurance

Authors Note: All questions and concerns on this paper can be addressed to Sheila Capers, Saint Leo University, Criminal Justice, Savannah, GA. Email: Sheila.capers@email.saintleo.edu.

In the article College Student Perceptions of Criminal Justice System Responses to Stalking (2011) the authors explain the methods they had used and examples of past and current research in order to give an insight as what is being explained throughout the article. The current study used a survey that had been administered to undergraduate college students from a large east coast university to examine whether extra-legal factors influenced their personal judgements of criminal justice system responsiveness to stalking (Cass & Rosay, 2011). Stalking and to how it is perceived by college students was the question. There are specified statistics as to where victimization rates range from, for example 13 percent to 30 percent and other estimates

The objective of this case study is to examine the personality of one of the most notorious serial killers in modern history, Ted Bundy. Ted Bundy was alleged to have humiliated, tortured and murdered at least 50 women. Possibility more, but the true number will never be known. Because Ted Bundy kept the true number of his victims to himself and refused to inform authorities of the exact number of his horrific deeds, before he was executed on January 24, 1989 (Wikipedia, n.d.).

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.