, 62 female serial killers operated between 1825 and 1995, and 17 of these operated as part of a team (Hickey, 2002). Figures from other countries also suggest that female serial killers are rare, but important nonetheless (Mouzos & West, 2007)
The case of Aileen Wuornos is perhaps one of the most publicized instances of female serial killers, immortalized by Charlize Theron in the Hollywood movie 'Monster'. This is also suggested to be the only recorded case of a female sexual predator operating alone within the United States (Silvio et al
This takes account of elements such as preparation of the crime, selection of victim, manner of killing, disposal of the body, concealment and escape (Mouzos & West, 2007). Serial killers in particular are usually highly organized, and this typology has been extended to give further categories of serial killer, including organized, disorganized, assertive, reassuring, missionaries, hunters, commuters and marauders (Warwick, 2006)
In addition to this, cases of health care professionals murdering their patients are women in around half of all cases, both in the U.S. And other countries (Yorker et al
unlike traditional mass murderers, who suddenly crack under pressure and kill everybody in sight, serial murderers kill and kill, often for years on end." (Egger et al
They then went to the apartment of Joachim Kroll and in his refrigerator found "bags of human flesh" and on the stove "a child's hand inside a simmering stew." The police quickly realized that they had stumbled upon the "Ruhr Hunter" who had been actively murdering German citizens for at least twenty years (Ramsland, 2005, 190)
Indeed, some serial murderers have committed crimes that are so far outside the bounds of human experience that the perpetrators seem almost to belong to a different species. (Egger 74) However, there is certainly some connection to this errant species
The occurrence of the behavior is not exclusively during the course of a schizophrenic or manic episode D. Evidence of conduct disorder onset before age 15 (Giannangelo 8) There is also a similarity in the childhoods of serial killers
These are all symptomatic of conduct disorder. Lack of remorse is also a prevalent element of this cadre and while few serial killers do admit some empathy for their victims, it is not enough to prevent them from killing again, hence also the similarity with addiction (Jenkins)
Although not officially categorized as such, they are referred to as the lethal caretakers, or more sensationally as the Angels of Death. "This contemporary Angel of Death embodies an especially pernicious darkness in our humanity by systemically attacking the weak and defenseless who have been involuntarily placed into her care or must rely on her for comfort and support" (Kelleher, and Kelleher 60)
This is where the fight or flight response is also housed and is, evolutionarily speaking, the older most primitive part of the brain system. When face-to-face with a serial killer it is often noted in interviews that looking into their eyes is like looking at the unblinking eyes of a snake (Robinson)
In looking at a general view of a serial killer as a psychopath one sees that "Psychopaths are people who have severe antisocial impulses. They act on them without apparent regard for the inevitable and devastating consequences these actions may bring to themselves and others" (Simon 22)
"Obsessed with a fantasy" unfulfilled in its enactments, the act is repeated in line with what Ressler calls "an improvement continuum." But as in the cliff-hanger, the repetition "leaves the murderer hanging (Seltzer 93)
Liebert (1985) has noted the poor level of personality integration found in narcissistic cases, predisposing such offenders to an intrusion into consciousness of primitive sexual/aggressive impulses. (Schlesinger 219) According to Holmes and De Burger in their seminal work Serial Murder, there are four major types of Serial Killer: Visionary: This category is composed of those who hear voices or see visions that tell them what to do
What is a Serial Killer? Robert Ressler brought out the word "serial killers." His drive was to provide or label clearness of murders that are repetitive at dissimilar or series of times (Brown, 2005)
They often will watch their victims for several days before they find some way trick them into going away with them. They take great arrogance in what they do and pay close consideration of media and the stories that they talk about (Ramsland, 2007)
Classically, a serial killer is documented as a person that has an impulse for illegal killing is for gratification that is psychological. Homicides are categorized serial when he or she has killed at least three individuals over a time span of a month (Ressler, 2007)
Dahmer had a fascination with death since he was young, and psychologists believe he killed because he was lonely and rejected by everyone, including his family. Two authors write, "According to British author Brian Masters, Dahmer felt so rejected and was so devoid of satisfying human relationships that he killed for companionship" (Fox, and Levin 58)
Psychiatrists believe his mother sexually abused him (which she denied), but many believe he "remembered" the abuse as a way to plead insane for the murders. Another author notes, "As a child he experienced many head traumas, including being hit in the head with a stone, an injury that caused periodic bouts of childhood paralysis" (Giannangelo 62)
She was overweight and had vision problems. Two other authors note, "However, despite her own physical challenges, Bobbie Sue was generally healthier than most of her siblings and found herself thrust into the role of caretaker from early age -- a part that she seemed to take on with quiet acceptance" (Kelleher, and Kelleher 166)