SERIAL MURDER

Serial Killer

• someone who commits three or more murders over an extended period of time with cooling-off periods in between

• in between crimes they tend to appear quite normal

Mass Murderer• individual who kills three or more

people in a single event and in one location

• perpetrators sometimes commit suicide so it is hard to determine what triggers their actions

• those who are caught sometimes claim they cannot clearly remember the event

Spree Killer

• commits multiple murders in different locations over a period of time that may vary from a few hours to several days

• they do NOT revert to their normal behavior during breaks

• usually carried out between solitary individuals

• generally but not always male• most have dysfunctional backgrounds• frequently they are physically, sexually

or psychologically abused as children• often begin to fantasize about murder

during or before adolescence

“MacDonald Triad” Warning signs in childhood

• fire-starting, usually for the thrill• cruelty to animals; larger animals such as

cats and dogs, frequently for solitary enjoyment rather than to impress others

• bedwetting, beyond the age when children usually stop

Types of serial killer

Organized

Disorganized

Organized • usually of high intelligence, plan crimes

quite methodically• often lure victims with ploys appealing

to their sympathy• have a high degree of control over

crime scene• usually have a good knowledge of

forensic science, allowing them to cover their tracks

• follow their crimes in the media and take pride in their actions

• socially adequate, usually have friends, lovers, spouses or children

• Usually described as a “really nice guy” or who

“wouldn’t hurt a fly”

Disorganized

• often of low intelligence, commit their crimes impulsively

• will murder someone whenever the opportunity arises

• usually doesn’t bother to dispose of the body, rather leaves it at the scene

• carry out “blitz” attacks, jumping out and attacking victims without warning

• rarely bother to cover their tracks, but keep on the move

• often socially inadequate with few friends

• may have a history of mental illness

• seen as eccentric or “creepy”

• may block out memories

of their killings

can show aspects of both

types BUT

characteristics of one will prevail

Motivations• Visionary – compelled

to commit crimes due to hallucinations or voices

ie. Son of Sam

Mission Oriented• believe acts are justified on the basis that

they are getting rid of a certain group of people

ie. prostitutes, members of an ethnic group

• believe they are doing society a great favor

ie. Robert Pickton

Hedonistic • for the sheer pleasure • may enjoy the chase, torturing or abusing the

victim while they are alive• others may kill victim quickly and engage in

rituals• usually there is a strong sexual aspectie. Jeffrey Dahmer - was responsible for a series

of gruesome murders of 17 young men from 1988 until he was caught on July 22, 1991, in Milwaukee.

Gain motivated

• primary focus is materialistic

• fine line between gain and contract killer

ie. Marcel Petiot

Power/Control • most common type

• main objective to gain and have power over victim

• sometimes abused as children, leaving them feeling powerless and inadequate

ie. BTK Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed "BTK killer" (BTK is a self-imposed moniker standing for "Bind, Torture, and Kill"). He confessed in 2005 to the serial killing of 10 people in the Wichita, Kansas area from 1974 to 1991

• often engage in rituals that are linked to their form of abuse

• this will temporarily take the humiliation away

• many sexually abuse their victims, but abuse is a form of power NOT lust

Some serial killers may seem to have characteristics of more than

one type

BUT

Will only belong to ONE typeBACK TO SOCIOLOGY PAGE