1. SERIAL MURDER

2. Serial Killer
someone who commits three or more murders over an extended period of time with cooling-off periods in between
in between crimes they tend to appear quite normal

3. Mass Murderer
individual who kills three or more people in a single event and in one location
perpetrators sometimes commit suicide so it is hard to determine what triggers their actions
those who are caught sometimes claim they cannot clearly remember the event

4. Spree Killer
commits multiple murders in different locations over a period of time that may vary from a few hours to several days
they do NOT revert to their normal behavior during breaks

5. usually carried out between solitary individuals
generally but not always male
most have dysfunctional backgrounds
frequently they are physically, sexually or psychologically abused as children
often begin to fantasize about murder during or before adolescence

6. Warning signs in childhood
“MacDonald Triad”
Warning signs in childhood
fire-starting, usually for the thrill
cruelty to animals; larger animals such as cats and dogs, frequently for solitary enjoyment rather than to impress others
bedwetting, beyond the age when children usually stop

7. Types of serial killer
Organized
Disorganized

8. Organized usually of high intelligence, plan crimes quite methodically
often lure victims with ploys appealing to their sympathy
have a high degree of control over crime scene
usually have a good knowledge of forensic science, allowing them to cover their tracks

9. follow their crimes in the media and take pride in their actions
socially adequate, usually have friends, lovers, spouses or children
Usually described as a “really nice guy” or who
“wouldn’t hurt a fly”

10. Disorganized
often of low intelligence, commit their crimes impulsively
will murder someone whenever the opportunity arises
usually doesn’t bother to dispose of the body, rather leaves it at the scene
carry out “blitz” attacks, jumping out and attacking victims without warning

11. rarely bother to cover their tracks, but keep on the move
often socially inadequate with few friends
may have a history of mental illness
seen as eccentric or “creepy”
may block out memories
of their killings

12. characteristics of one will prevail
can show aspects of both
types BUT
characteristics of one will prevail

13. Motivations
Visionary – compelled to commit crimes due to hallucinations or voices
ie. Son of Sam

14. Mission Oriented
believe acts are justified on the basis that they are getting rid of a certain group of people
ie. prostitutes, members of an ethnic group
believe they are doing society a great favor
ie. Robert Pickton

15. Hedonistic for the sheer pleasure
may enjoy the chase, torturing or abusing the victim while they are alive
others may kill victim quickly and engage in rituals
usually there is a strong sexual aspect
ie. Jeffrey Dahmer - was responsible for a series of gruesome murders of 17 young men from 1988 until he was caught on July 22, 1991, in Milwaukee.

16. Gain motivated primary focus is materialistic
fine line between gain and contract killer
ie. Marcel Petiot

17. Power/Control most common type
main objective to gain and have power over victim
sometimes abused as children, leaving them feeling powerless and inadequate
ie. BTK Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed "BTK killer" (BTK is a self-imposed moniker standing for "Bind, Torture, and Kill"). He confessed in 2005 to the serial killing of 10 people in the Wichita, Kansas area from 1974 to 1991

18. often engage in rituals that are linked to their form of abuse
this will temporarily take the humiliation away
many sexually abuse their victims, but abuse is a form of power NOT lust

19. Will only belong to ONE type
Some serial killers may seem to have characteristics of more than one type
BUT
Will only belong to ONE type
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