forensic psychology introduction to serial killers

Forensic Forensic PsychologyPsychology

Introduction to Introduction to Serial Killers Serial Killers

Serial CrimeSerial Crime Different from Different from ““multiple crimesmultiple crimes”” Almost always shows distinct pattern (M.O.) Almost always shows distinct pattern (M.O.)

– pattern evidence– pattern evidence Almost always associated with some Almost always associated with some

psychiatric problem(s)psychiatric problem(s) Usually a Usually a ““cooling offcooling off”” period between period between

crimescrimes Significant research has revealed Significant research has revealed

fascinating similaritiesfascinating similarities

Not to be confused with…Not to be confused with… PsychopathPsychopath

a personality disorder characterized by an abnormal lack of empathy a personality disorder characterized by an abnormal lack of empathy combined with strongly amoral conduct but masked by an ability to appear combined with strongly amoral conduct but masked by an ability to appear outwardly normaloutwardly normal

PsychoticPsychotic abnormal condition of the mind, often described as involving a "loss of abnormal condition of the mind, often described as involving a "loss of

contact with realitycontact with reality”” Spree killerSpree killer

killings at two or more locations with almost no time break between murderskillings at two or more locations with almost no time break between murders

Mass murdererMass murderer the act of murdering a large number of people (four or more), typically at the the act of murdering a large number of people (four or more), typically at the

same time or over a relatively short period of timesame time or over a relatively short period of time

Serial Killer DefinitionSerial Killer Definition

Three or more separate events in three or Three or more separate events in three or more separate locations with an more separate locations with an emotional cooling off period in between emotional cooling off period in between the homicidesthe homicides

First coined by Robert Ressler in 1970First coined by Robert Ressler in 1970’’ss Used first in the Ted Bundy caseUsed first in the Ted Bundy case

First First ““acceptedaccepted”” serial killer was Jack the Ripper serial killer was Jack the Ripper

Characteristic Patterns of Serial Characteristic Patterns of Serial KillersKillers

Based upon 36 incarcerated serial killersBased upon 36 incarcerated serial killers..1984: By FBI agent Robert Ressler.1984: By FBI agent Robert Ressler. Ethnicity:Ethnicity:

>90% are white>90% are white Gender:Gender:

Mostly malesMostly males Age:Age:

25-35 years old.25-35 years old. Intelligence:Intelligence:

Above average IQ.Above average IQ. School:School:

Perform poorly in school.Perform poorly in school.

EmploymentEmployment Difficulty keeping jobsDifficulty keeping jobs

Family HistoryFamily History Abused as children (physical, Abused as children (physical,

sexual, emotional).sexual, emotional). Crime, alcohol/drug, pscyh.Crime, alcohol/drug, pscyh.

High suicide attempt rateHigh suicide attempt rate Other crimesOther crimes

Usually commits smaller crimes Usually commits smaller crimes and then and then ““graduatesgraduates””

Usually starts as Usually starts as ““crueltycruelty”” crimes crimes

The Triad of The Triad of BehaviorsBehaviors

Cruelty towards animals.Cruelty towards animals. Interest in fire Interest in fire (pyromania).(pyromania).

>60% still wetting bed >60% still wetting bed at age 12.at age 12.

Holmes Typology of Serial Holmes Typology of Serial HomicideHomicide

Based on obsessive-compulsive Based on obsessive-compulsive behavioral patternsbehavioral patterns

Also focuses on two main aspects of Also focuses on two main aspects of the assailantthe assailant General behavior patterns General behavior patterns

Two main categoriesTwo main categories Patterns of the act itselfPatterns of the act itself

Six main categoriesSix main categories

Holmes Typology of Serial Holmes Typology of Serial Homicide: BehavioralHomicide: Behavioral

Disorganized / AsocialDisorganized / Asocial Asocial – does not fit in with societyAsocial – does not fit in with society

Organized / NonsocialOrganized / Nonsocial Nonsocial - does not want to fit in with Nonsocial - does not want to fit in with

societysociety

Holmes Typology Of Serial Holmes Typology Of Serial Homicide: NatureHomicide: Nature

VisionaryVisionary Those killers who act in response to voices and Those killers who act in response to voices and

alter egoalter ego’’ss ““SomeoneSomeone”” is telling them to commit the murders is telling them to commit the murders

Demon mandatedDemon mandated God mandatedGod mandated

MissionaryMissionary Think they are responsible for cleaning the world Think they are responsible for cleaning the world

of of ““bad peoplebad people”” (prostitutes, homosexuals, ethnic (prostitutes, homosexuals, ethnic minorities)minorities)


Comfort OrientedComfort Oriented Looking for material gain and a comfortable Looking for material gain and a comfortable

lifestylelifestyle Usually female – the Usually female – the ““black widowblack widow””

LustLust Sexual gratification is main motivationSexual gratification is main motivation


Thrill – Thrill – The ACTThe ACT of killing is main motivation – looking of killing is main motivation – looking

for the buzz or high of causing pain and torturefor the buzz or high of causing pain and torture Power/Control Power/Control

This type of serial killer is to gain and exert This type of serial killer is to gain and exert power over their victimpower over their victim

Many power- or control-motivated killers sexually Many power- or control-motivated killers sexually abuse their victims, but they differ from lust killers abuse their victims, but they differ from lust killers in that rape is not motivated by lust but as simply in that rape is not motivated by lust but as simply another form of dominating the victimanother form of dominating the victim

forensic psychology introduction to serial killers

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