What is a serial killer?
So, where to begin? First of all, what is a serial killer? It’s been defined in the past as someone who has killed between two to ten victims, but according to the FBI this is not necessarily the case. The main difference between a serial killer and a mass murderer is whether there is a “cooling off” period between victims. Also a mass murderer normally takes multiple victims at one time, or involving one incident. However, with all this said the basic definition of serial killings involve a series of three or more killings, which due to characteristics (such as MO) that can be attributed to one individual.
What motivates serial killers?
Statistically serial killers are insecure. Generally, they kill because this empowers them, transferring any rejection they’ve received elsewhere in their life. Based on this statistic, serial killers fear rejection, power and perfection. Most of them don’t believe they’ll ever be caught.
Others kill just because they are addicted to the feelings it produces in them. They are able to rationalize what they’re doing so they don’t feel the need to stop.
From a psychological standpoint
Most serial killers are psychopaths. Basically they know what they’re doing is wrong, but don’t feel compassion for their victims or remorse. They “blend” into society, and are while they don’t experience sympathetic characteristics, they can mimic it from watching others. Most serials are charming and persuasive.
Organized or Disorganized
An investigator will look at the murder, and the crime scene, and try to discern what it tells them about the killer. One of their first assessments is whether the killer they’re looking for is organized or disorganized. If the murder was carried out “clean” with planned execution, then the killer is organized, and likely highly intelligent and may even have a stable social network.
The disorganized killer leaves a mess behind him, including possibly even the murder weapon. He does little to cover his tracks. This tells investigators he’s likely unemployed and possibly a loner. Of course, these are based on statistics. It doesn’t mean we can’t throw investigators off by making our killer operate outside of the statistics.
According to statistics
Many are young adults in their twenties or thirties - They don’t cross racial lines (for example, white killers tend to kill white victims) - Many kill close to home first, and then move further out - Often they’re highly mobile (access to money and a vehicle) - They take “souvenirs” from their victims
How to catch a serial killer (a few ways)
Developing a psychological profile helps focus the investigation (see Organized vs Disorganized above) - Victimology, or the study of the victims does a lot in helping investigators to track down a serial killer. - Locality of the crimes allows them to conclude a geographical profile.