The Psychology Behind the Serial Killer Essay - 3244 Words

The Psychology Behind the Serial Killer Creeping around the shadowy house, the predator found its prey waking to strange sounds. The victim lay facedown, with a sweating forehead pressed fearfully into the pillow, silently praying the noises would just go away. Suddenly the victim found himself straddled and pinned to the bed. He was unable to scream for help due to the pressure of the handle of a pick-axe against his throat, preventing any breath from escaping, much less any sound. The victim struggled beneath the weight of the assailant. The scant light from the sodium-arc street light outside cast a peculiar silhouette on the walls of the darkened room, projecting an image that looked oddly like that of a cowboy saddled upon†¦show more content†¦Definition: What What is a serial killer? Retired Special Agent Robert Ressler, a twenty-two year veteran of the FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit in Quantico, Virginia, is responsible for creating the term â€Å"serial killer.† He defines this person as â€Å"one who commits a series of murders, usually three or more, the victims most often being strangers, and usually with a cooling-off period in between each kill† (Kelleher Kelleher, 1998; Pearson, 1998; Ressler and Shactman, 1997). This precise definition is necessary to distinguish this type of predator from the mass murderer (who kills many simultaneously), mercenaries, war criminals, or mafia hit men. Profiling: Who and How Though serial killer may have a fairly specific definition, there is no single precise profile for the serial killer. Each has a unique identity, set of motives and methods, and a unique psychopathology that would attempt to explain the mens rea, that is, the purpose or intent of the murder. â€Å"Psychological profiling is an investigative tool used strictly to answer the how of the crime, not the why† (Severence et al, 1992; Lanier and Henry, 1998). By examining the psychological make-up of the serial killer, it is often possible to explain the behavior, which might make it a useful tool in solving crimes. Theories of Criminal Behavior Many theories have beenShow MoreRelatedSerial Killers Statistics : Serial Killer Statistics Essay818 Words   |  4 PagesNovember 23). Serial killer statistics. Retrieved July 28, 2016 fromhttp://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Serial%20Killer%20Information%20Center/Serial%20Killer%20Statistics.pdf This article covers serial killers statistics. Many table reports are illustrated with the sole purpose to demonstrate accurate information about serial killers. The tables indicate the frequency (by decade) and the number of separate serial killers operating in any given year in the USA. Beasley II, J. O. (2004). Serial Murder inRead MoreEssay on Robert Ressler Coined the Term Serial Killer1131 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.† (Ted Bundy). Serial killers are not always those people that look like monsters or behave in strangeous ways. Sometimes they are the successful people, the ones that have a family and a job. The term â€Å"Serial Killer† was first coined by Robert Ressler, former director of the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. Serial killers are often defined as people thatRead More Serial Killers: Monsters or Mentally Ill Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pages Studies show that traits of a serial killer can be seen in a person at a very young age. Most warning signs go unnoticed which is why the growth of the killer continues. A thing such as animal cruelty is one of many clues inside the growth of a serial killers mind â€Å"They often start out their careers by maiming, harming, and torturing small animals.† â€Å"In extreme cases, they have been known to spend hours inflicting a slow death on animals...this is a form of control that allows them the power toRead MoreSerial Killer Speech Essay984 Words   |  4 PagesCOM 103: Public Speaking OUTLINE Specific Goal: To inform my audience about the psychology of the serial killer. Introduction: A. There are possibly 20-100 of them active in the U.S. B. They are sociopathic, psychopathic monsters that hide behind the masks of normal everyday people. C. They have no conscience, no empathy, no feelings or remorse. Only apathy. A dark empty world where the only sense of satisfaction and feeling comes from taking the life ofRead MoreRhetorical Analysis : Dexter 1219 Words   |  5 PagesRhetorical analysis. If you have ever been interested in the world of why serial killers kill, chances are you have done some research or even watched the insanely popular television show Dexter. â€Å"Dexter Morgan is a Forensics Expert, a loyal brother, boyfriend, and friend. That s what he seems to be, but that s not what he really is. Dexter Morgan is a Serial Killer that hunts the bad. (TV.com)† Dexter is a serial killer yet he works for the Miami Police Department in blood spatter forensics, becauseRead MoreIs Serial Killing A Genetic?1284 Words   |  6 Pagescontemplate the existence serial killers. This is usually not in the pretext of hoping to become one but rather confounded by the question of why such people had to exist alongside normal humans. My main interest is in the psychology and the impetus behind the behavior of these atrocious characters. I am particularly perturbed by the fact that such people also entered this world in their innocent forms just like other naà ¯ve childr en, only to end up graduating into serial killers. Why would there be aRead More The Psychology of Serial Killers Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesThe Psychology of Serial Killers Many things today confuse, yet enthrall the masses. War, murder, medical science, incredible rescues, all things you would see on The History Channel. There is another topic that is also made into documentaries however, serial killers. Dark twisted people that commit multiple murders are of interest to the population, but what caused them to be this way. What horrible tragic set of events could twist a man to murder one or many people. Could Schizophrenia, psychopathyRead MoreSerial Killers And The United States1743 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Serial murder crime though rare, is not a a new phenomenon. This crime has been committed for centuries and will continue to be a crime that is committed throughout the world. It is unfortunate and scary that this is probably one of the most serious of crimes that cannot be prevented. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, serial murderers commit their crimes because they want to. Rehabilitation is not obtainable for serial killers due to their inability for remorse and empathyRead MoreWithout the Rule of Law Anarchy Would Prevail800 Words   |  4 Pages In an effort to deliberate this further, research in this area has helped me have a better understanding. Also finding out why and how peoples beliefs make them act in a certain way to become ‘anarchists’. The criminal idea of anarchy. The psychology behind it is very interesting. Law and anarchy is everywhere in life, as simple as a home there is law and anarchy. The ruler and the follower. Life is not simply b lack and white; there are most certainly more grey shades. â€Å"Anarchy is one of theRead MoreCase study on Dr. H. H. Holmes1268 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Kristin Parramore-Eaker Clinical Psychology Case study of Dr. H.H. Holmes Case Overview Dr. H.H. Holmes is considered America s first serial killer. The number of victims is estimated to be 27, and later discoveries of corpses revealed as many as 200. Holmes initially committed crimes such as fraud and forgery. In 1893 he built a three story building and named it the castle as a hotel, drug store, and commercial store fronts for the Chicago World s Fair. Holmes used the windowless hotel