Morrison. 'They are phenomenally alike in the way their psychology is set, the way they function, and how they're misdiagnosed'" (Methvin)
Therefore, all of these killers match the profile of the disorganized criminal. As another author notes, "The FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit's strictly behaviorist classification of serial killers into the categories 'organized' and 'disorganized' redirects attention from motive or gender to something like preparation and neatness" (Seltzer 121)
Another author notes, "Disorganized crimes, in contrast, are not planned, and criminals leave such evidence as fingerprints and blood. Disorganized criminals may be young, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or mentally ill" (Winerman)
One such dichotomy is the degree of order or disorder in a crime scene. This indicates "the degree of personality aberration." (Connor, 2004)
The Crime Classification Manual defines serial murder as "three or more separate events in three or more separate locations with an emotional cooling off period in between the homicides." (Douglas et al
The Crime Classification Manual defines serial murder as "three or more separate events in three or more separate locations with an emotional cooling off period in between the homicides." (Douglas et al
"Antisocial personalities feel little and fear little, and in extreme cases, the results can be horrifyingly tragic." (Myers, 2001,p562)
Everything evil that's happened in the world -- somehow goes back to them." (Scott, 2004) The traits of these and other serial killers can often be described by a few commonalities
Vaknin points out that, The choice of weapons, the identity and range of the victims, the methodology of murder, the disposal of the bodies, the geography, the sexual perversions and paraphilias -- are all informed and inspired by the slayer's environment, upbringing, community, socialization, education, peer group, sexual orientation, religious convictions, and personal narrative. (Vaknin, 2004)
The limbic area of the brain is that which controls many emotions, including fear and anger. Trauma to that area of the brain may be one of the causes of a serial killer's rages, as they can produce violent episodes (Dalal, 2009)
In "Some Thoughts on the Psychological Roots of the Behavior of Serial Killers," author Zelda G. Knight of Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa suggests that some serial killers have experienced traumatic head injuries, thus presenting a neuropsychological reason for the difference in their thinking (Knight, 2006)
In "Theorizing the Puzzle That Is Harold Shipman," authors Keith Soothill and David Wilson attempt to understand why the serial killer Harold Shipman committed his crimes. They attempt to "understand the meaning of serial killing at a societal level," (Soothill and Wilson, 2005) and suggest that the psychological differences between serial killers and normal people can be used to identify the areas in which society is breaking down
Vechhi points out an interesting behavioral difference experienced with many serial killers: the concern for their image. By reviewing the interactions between killers and their friends and families, researchers were able to "provide unique insights into the killers' motivations, personalities, and the meaning behind their behavior" (Vecchi, 2009)
Whereas a spree killer will murder a number of victims at different locales over a short period of time and a mass murderer will play an endgame strategy in which he or she does not expect to survive, a serial killer will hunt humans primarily for the sexual thrill that they derive from the act (14). It is not often that law enforcement officials and behavioral scientists are able to get a first-hand glimpse into the world of a serial killer at the time that the attacks are taking place (Arrigo 98)
In the majority of serial homicides, a motivating factor, in addition to domination and manipulation of a victim, is the sexual gratification and desire that is experienced by the serial killer. Serial killers murder individuals because they believe, and feel, that the act will fulfill them and they will continue to murder people as long as they can (Douglas 191)
A series, or set, of serial killers that can be identified by their MO are the Boston Strangler and the Hillside Stranglers who strangled their victims to death. According to Vernon Geberth, the Commanding Officer of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, strangulation is one of the most intimate and personal of murders because the killer literally holds their victim's life in their hands; strangulation gives the killer a sense of control over the situation (Geberth)
The factors that Stone considers to be attributed to mixed or unknown origins include paraphilia, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, alcoholism, conduct disorders that are committed in childhood, animal torture and arson, and rape or other sexual offenses that are committed in adolescence (202). FBI statistics reveal that at least "42% of serial killers have suffered severe physical abuse as children, 43% were sexually molested, and a full 74% were subjected to ongoing psychological torture (Schechter 293)
Because a serial killer commits murders on at least three separate and distinct occasions, the cooling off period between each crime may last days, weeks, months, or even years (Douglas 190). Serial killers may also be divided into three different categories including the serial murders of patients by nurses and doctors, the murders of random strangers over long periods of time, and serial sexual homicide (Stone 196)
Criminal profiling is useful and beneficial in helping to apprehend serial killers. Criminal profiling is "the process of inferring distinctive personality characteristics of individuals responsible for committing criminal acts" (Turvey 1)
" There is no one exact definition of a serial killer, from a legal, historical, psychological, or sociological viewpoint. "In the past thirty years, multiple definitions of serial murder have been used by law enforcement, clinicians, academia, and researchers," (Blackwelder, 2010)