Serial Killers

First and foremost, do not confuse serial killers with mass murderers. Mass murderers kill on a spree consisting of several people at one time. More likely than not, this type of crime results from rage within the killer terminating his life at the scene of the crime as well.

Serial Killers, on the other hand, do not kill their victims all at once, but rather over a period of time. Studies statistically show that a serial killing crime can be defined with characteristics such as:

	A minimum of three to four victims, usually with a "cooling off" period between victims
	The killer is more than likely a stranger to the victim so the murders appear as though they are unconnected or done at random.
	The serial killer has a sadistic urge to dominate the victim.
	There is no profit to be made from the victim except for psychological satisfaction.
	The killer usually selects a victim who is vulnerable.
	The overwhelming majority of serial killers are white males in their 20's or 30's, lower to middle class background, and of at least average intelligence.
	Some serial killers have a fascination with law enforcement or an authoritative figure in general.

Having said that, we can place serial killers in two categories: psychotics and psychopaths.

A minority among serial killers, psychotics are legally insane. They cannot differentiate between right and wrong. They hear voices, see visions, and at times both hallucinations leading them on to commit murders. David Burkowitz, also known as Son of Sam, for example, was a psychotic serial killer.

It is stated that for every psychotic serial killer, there are approximately nine psychopaths.

Psychopaths do not suffer from hallucinations but from a character flaw. These types of serial killers are in touch with reality and know right from wrong. They just don't care. Psychopathic serial killers lack one very important component of human nature - a conscience. Either they have no conscience or their conscience is too weak to inhibit the violence they commit. Psychopaths kill without guilt and remorse.

What creates a psychopath? No one knows for certain. There are many theories including genetics in that the person is born with the predisposition to kill. Other theories favor that the psychopath is a product of his environment. Perhaps it is a combination of both genetics and environment.

One of the most frightening aspects of a psychopathic serial killer is his ability to blend in with his or her environment. The person seems normal. However, beneath the surface lies two uncontrollable traits: sexual abnormality and a consuming need for power. The killings satisfies both with the ultimate control over life and death. Simply stated, killing gives them pleasure. They kill, experts say, because they want to and because they like it.

The only thing that stops a serial killer from killing is incarceration or the person dies.

THE CAST OF BIZARRE CHARACTERS

A guard to Joan of Arc who liked blood more than booty (The Bestial Baron)

Gas, grass, or ass. He opted for gas. (Herman Mudgett)

Do you believe in vampires? (Peter Kurten)

Next time you eat a roast, you'll think twice. (Albert Fish)

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