1. Forensic Psychology and Serial Killers:
EQ: How do we define serial killers and attempt to explain their behaviors?

2. What is a Serial Killer?
DEF: a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and typically following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern:
The key to understanding serial killers is to understand the patterns of behavior and characteristics exhibited

3. What is a Modus Operandi?
DEF: a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established:
Everyone has a modus operandi, but the key to understanding the serial killer is to be able to identify their M.O. and predict what they will do next

4. What is a Spree Killer?
DEF: a person (or more than one person) who commits two or more murders without a cooling-off period; the lack of a cooling-off period marks the difference between a spree killer and a serial killer.
This lack of a cooling off phase can make it more difficult to catch these types of killers and establish M.O.

5. What is a Mass Murderer?
DEF: any individual who kills a large amount of people for a particular and intentional reason
The key is that there must be some level of intent

6. What is a Hunter?
DEF: a type of serial killer that targets a victim and actively takes steps to hunt them down to kill them in some pre-determined situation
They not only get a thrill from the kill, but also from the hunting of the individual
They will usually stalk the intended victim for a period of time to learn the M.O. of the target

7. What is a Poacher?
DEF: a serial killer that targets victims of opportunity
Generally, these types of serial killers are looking for a target that fits some set of criteria that has been pre-determined
They may investigate an area where they will operate, but also might be more impulsive if they find the correct target

8. What is a Troller?
DEF: a serial killer that moves around in search of a victim
Like a poacher, they will usually have some pre-determined type of target they are looking for, but will usually only hunt at certain times

9. What is a Trapper?
DEF: A serial killer that sets traps for their intended victims
These can be pre-determined victims or can be random individuals
These traps are usually incredibly complex and well thought out, or not