Kathy E <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Hi Steve :)
Here is some info on SK's, just remember I am by far NOT an expert on
this subject:
Characteristics
1. "Killings are repetitive, occurring with greater or less frequency,
often escalating, over a period of time, sometimes years; and will
continue until the killer is taken into custody, dies or is himself
killed."
2. "In common with 'normal' homicides, killings tend to be one-on-one."
These are usually broken down into:
(1) crimes of passion - "committed during a moment of intense anger
or frustration"
(2) "cold-blooded" murder - motive of personal gain
These can be done not only by single individuals, but also
by couples, partnerships, and groups.
3. "There is no (or very little) connection between the perpetrator and
the victim, the persons involved rarely being directly related"
4. "Although there may be a 'pattern,' or 'victim trait,' individual
murders within a series rarely display a clearly defined or rational
motive."
5. "Increasingly greater spatial mobility since the advent of the
automobile has enabled a killer, if he wishes, to move rapidly from one
place to another often before a murder has been discovered."
6. "There is usually a high degree of redundant violence, or 'overkill,'
where the victim is subjected to a disproportionate level of brutality."
Motives
1. Visionaries - act in response to voices and are instructed by these
voices to perform the act of murder. These are used to justify and
legitimize the act.
2. Missionaries - they think it is their responsibility rid society of
unwanted elements.
3. Hedonists - kill because murder causes them pleasure
Lust Killers - kill for sexual gratification and the acts are
usually sadistic
Thrill Killers - kill because of a desire of a "thrill" or
"experience"
Gain Killers - kill for personal gain - usually financial
4. Power Seekers - kill for the desire to have control over the life and
death of others.
Patterns of Episodic Aggressive Behavior
1. Ritualistic behavior
2. Masks of sanity concealing mental instability
3. Compulsivity
4. Periodic search for help
5. Severe memory disorders and an inability to tell the truth
6. Suicidal tendencies
7. History of committing assault
8. Hypersexuality and abnormal sexual behaviour
9. Head injuries; injuries suffered at birth
10. History of chronic drug or alcohol abuse
11. Parents with a history of chronic drug or alcohol abuse
12. Victim of childhood physical or mental abuse
13. Result of an unwanted preganacy
14. Product of a difficult gestation for mother
15. Unhappiness in childhood resulted in inability to find happiness
16. Extraordinary cruelty to animals
17. Attraction to arson without homicidal interest
18. Symptoms of neurological impairment
19. Evidence of genetic disorder
20. Biochemical symptoms
21. Feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy
Defining a SK from a Mass Murderer or other Killer:
The United States of America gives rise to seventy-five percent of its
serial killers and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) expects
that, at this time, at least five hundred serial killers are loose on
the streets of America (DeWitt 3B). Serial killers are the most sinister
and malignant type of criminal, but to understand and stop present and
future ones, we must examine the psyche and reasonings behind some of
the most notorious, which often derives from a sexual inadequacy and a
need for attention.
The serial killer is your neighbor; he kills one by one while living a
seemingly normal life in between murders (Cahill 6). To be classified as
a serial killer, the killer has to kill at least three people in
separate murders with a cooling off period between each murder. Usually
there is a sexual component to their murders; they want attention and
love to see themselves in the media's eye (DeWitt 1B). They follow a
"ritualistic pattern" by choosing a certain type of victim and they kill
them in a fashion which becomes all too familiar for investigators and
reporters. Serial killers kill only for the "psychological release" they
receive; the victim's terror is the addictive quality (1B). The majority
of serial killers are white males in their late 20s or early 30s and
they usually go on murderous uproars when their lives are at a low
point (1B). With access to interstates, subways and other means of quick
transportation, serial killers can move to and from the crime scene with
ease, which makes capture and detection very difficult (Methvin 36).
Serial killers can't psychologically tell the difference between an
inanimate object and a human being because they usually don't go through
the infant psychological growth stage called "individuation," in which
they realize they're independent from their environment (42). "When he
is finally put in prison, he must never be released," Chicago criminal
psychologist, Dr. Helen L. Morrison said about serial killers (42).
To date, the FBI has studied more than one hundred serial killers and
their uncanny psychological resemblance is extraordinary, which makes
previous serial killers a good reference point for catching present
ones. Because of that fact, the FBI created the National Center for the
Analysis of Violent Crimes (NCAVC) for the behavioral science division
to examine serial killers, mass murderers and other violent criminals
for use in future criminal investigations (42).
(books/articles used for the above: Cahill, Tim. "Buried Dreams: Inside
the Mind of a Serial Killer." New York: Bantam, 1986., DeWitt, Dan.
"Serial killers feed on fear and thrills." "St. Petersburg Times" 3 Jan.
1995: 1B; 3B., Methvin, Eugene H. "The face of evil." "National Review."
23 Jan. 1995: 34-44., "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" by Brian Lane
and Wilfred Gregg 1988. True Crime - Serial Killers by Time-Life Books
1992)
There are two types of SK's the organized and the disorganized, the
organized ones are the ones that are usually highly intelligent thus a
lot harder to catch. Most SK's do not consider their victims as anything
of importance nor do they care one iota for the pain and suffering they
put them through. Here are the stages they both go through:
Precrime Stage
Commission of Crime
Disposal of Body
Post-Crime Behavior
Disorganized:
This criminal is too mentally ill to follow a plan or method of choosing
victims. There is no logical pattern of execution but post-mortem
wounds are usually similar from kill to kill. This criminal attacks in a
blitz style given the opportunity. He will use force and will usually
not remember the actual commission of the crime.
Stage one
None premediated and does not chose victims according to pattern; close
geographical proximity
Stage Two
Will use what ever weapons handy at time and opportunity, and will not
drive his own car to the scene. He will depersonalize his victim in any
way possible, usually through mutilation. He will also commit a
series of post-mortem crimes including necrophilia, and possibly
canabalism.
Stage Three
The criminal is in no state of mind to plan a disposal in order to
confuse the police. He will leave the vicitms in the same place where he
killed them.
Stage Four
Some disorganized killers watch their exploits in the media, but not
all. Most live in a constant state of chaos from which they cannot
understand thier environment and head only the delusions which they
usually suffer from.
Organized:
This killer is premeditative and plans every step down to what tools to
take and examining "dump sites" before hand. Each new kill adds to his
fantasy and as the number increases so does his expertiese. This victim
chooses a "type" of victim, ususally someone resembling a figure from
the past. He is very intelligent and will use cunning, guile, and a
variety of uses to convince the victim to come with him. Unlike the
disorganized killer, the organized killer appears normal and even
charming; he fits into the crowd and uses this ability to his advantage.
Stage One:
Choses his victims carefully; choice deriving from his fantasies. He
uses ploys and schemes to lure his victims. He is accutely aware of any
signs of vulnerability in his potential victim and will exploit them to
his advantage. Hunts within a large radius (increased geographic
mobility)
Stage Two:
For the organized criminal, it is the thrill of the pursuit, capture and
torture of his victim that is the source of excitement. The struggle of
the victim will often escalate the amount of violence before death. The
organized killer is in control at all times; he has usually planned this
kill for sometime. He has brought with him a "kit" which allows him to
subdue and torture the victim with instruments of his choice. If
emergencies occur during either torture or execution, the killer will
adapt his behavior accordingly and will even postpone his need for
gratification by killing the victim if he senses pursuit by the
authorities.
Stage Three:
The killer is advanced in his techniques. With every kill he varies his
MO in order to confuse police. Often he will bury the bodies at a
specific site or will sometimes leave them in the open to flaunt his
talents at the police.
Stage Four:
Keeps close tabs on the police pursuit. Will often call in anonymously
to offer hints. Enjoys watching police confusion, and firmly believes he
is more intelligent and will never be caught unless he wills it.
Now I probably told you more than you ever wanted to know :)
Steve Wright wrote:
>
> "Steve Wright" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> Hi, I was wondering if serial killers vary there methods of killing or
> finding a victim to avoid detection or do they follow predictable patterns,
> Jack the Ripper was a serial killer was he not and although he was never
> caught his attacks were always targeted against prostitutes and he killed in
> the same manner.
>
> I was also wondering if serial killers actually think what they do is wrong,
> or do they see there victims as objects to enable them to commit the most
> vile acts with no conscience or feeling towards the victim?
>
> Is it true that SK's are on average more intelligent than an average person?
--
Kathy E
"I can only please one person a day, today is NOT your day, and tomorrow
isn't looking too good for you either"
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