The Crime Of Serial Killers - 999 Words

Serial killers are everywhere, all around you and those you know and love. Although the average estimated count is thirty to fifty, it has been estimated that as many as two hundred of these maniacs are active throughout the entire United States at any given moment. Some people claim to have a pretty good idea of that which surrounds serial murder. Who are these deranged beasts which cause so much terror and commotion? By definition, serial killers are men or women who have taken the lives of at least three victims over an extended period of time. However, those words do not even come close to properly expressing the complexity of a psychopathic, homicidal mind. Most killers murder merely for pleasure, rather than for profit. There are a plethora of negative influences that help to push a potential killer over the edge. For example, western society’s culture puts emphasis on sex and violence. Those who grow up in such an environment often become desensitized to these t hings and lose compassion for victims of even the most gruesome crimes. This inevitably does not mix at all well with inclinations to kill. Usually, the victims of serial murder are strangers chosen based on the difficulty of manipulating the person and vulnerability. Young runaways and prostitutes are subsequently most frequently targeted, as history has shown that there is little public outcry concerning the deaths of those types of people. Additionally, even though the patterns among killers’Show MoreRelatedSerial Killers : A True Crime Author And Investigative Consultant-922 Words   |  4 Pageswith her throat slit from ear to ear. She helped the police catch her mother s killer way back when. This changed who she was, and would effect her development and make her who she would become. Now, she writes about killers-working as a true crime author and investigative consultant- and has an obsession: seeing brutal killers brought to justice. Lydia has won a Pulitzer Prize for her writing about serial killers. She is also reclusive, and has the ability to see clues that other people cannotRead MoreSerial Murder And Mass Murder936 Words   |  4 Pages Before we can take on the definitions of serial murder and mass murder, we must first understand what exactly constitutes murder. According to the United States Code-section 1111, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought (4). With that said, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the term serial murder implies that there are at least three different murder events at three different locations, with a â€Å"cooling off† period between each event (RamslandRead 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 MoreThe Crime Of Serial Murder And Mass Murder1289 Words   |  6 PagesRotten Apples The act of Serial murder and mass murder have similar characteristics, however they are not the same. Before they can be defined, it is necessary to first understand what exactly constitutes murder. According to the United States Code-section 1111, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought (FindLaw, 2014). With that said, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, â€Å"the term serial murder implies that there are at least three differentRead MoreSerial Killers And The Criminal Justice System1704 Words   |  7 Pages Serial Killers A serial killer by definition of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is a person who kills three or more people on different occasions (Barkan and Bryjak 70). Serial killers have been present in societies all throughout history, giving researchers opportunities to study them and bringing attention to their name. Fear and fascination with them enables the media to intrigue society as it creates TV shows, movies, and documentaries about famous serial killers of the past andRead MorePerry Smith: A Passion to Kill1354 Words   |  6 PagesSerial killers have long eluded law enforcement while simultaneously grabbing the attention of the public, and now more than ever, criminal psychologists are beginning to understand what makes a serial killer. In his true-crime documentary, In Cold Blood, Truman Capote depicts the horrifying murders of four members of the Clutter family and the search to find the criminals responsible for the deaths. Eventually, two killers are caught, one being Perry Smith, a detached and emotionless man. And althoughRead MoreWhy the People Are Interested in Serial Killers Essays1218 Words   |  5 PagesSerial Killers Serial killers have struck fear in the hearts of people, yet the public remains fascinated and intrigued by the crimes perpetrated by these individuals. There are several theories and factors that have been attributed to serial killers in an attempt to explain their behaviors. Furthermore, by indentifying the behaviors that are exhibited by serial killers, law enforcement professionals are able to gather information about these serial killers that will assist in the apprehension ofRead MoreCharacteristics And Backgrounds Of Serial Killers Essay1495 Words   |  6 PagesSerial killers can be hiding behind the smiles of your neighbors, grocers, and the most unexpected individuals. According to Boschken (2014), a serial killer is an individual that has committed three or more murders over a month without a large gap between murders. Several different characteristics and backgrounds make up a serial killer. Studies have shown that an individual’s background can give insight into the victims and the offender’s relationship to the victims. Serial killers can also beRead MoreSerial Killer : Serial Killers909 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to an FBI study, â€Å"there have been approximately 400 serial killers in the United States in the past century, with anywhere from 2,526 to 3,860 victims (Hickey). No one really understands serial killers. It is actually quite difficult to comprehend how the mind of a serial killer works. Some believe that a serial killer feels strongly attracted by a specific physical characteristic in the victim. It could be his or her appearance: facial features, clothes, or even personality. On the otherRead MoreChapter 16. Serial Killers Are Not A New Development. They1189 Words   |  5 PagesChapter 16 Serial killers are not a new development. They have been among us since the beginning of time. Evidence of this can be seen by reviewing some of the world’s most high-profile crimes; some of which remain unsolved. Serial killers are difficult to detect. They are able to move through society, masquerading as normal, healthy individuals. A serial sexual sadistic killer is a specific type of predator. Their crimes suggest that they are void of any feelings or emotion. However, theories suggest