Serial Killers: The Zodiac Killer

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Based on appearance alone, a person would probably never be able to pinpoint whether or not person is a serial killer. It is almost mind blowing how well serial killers blend with normal members of society. Serial killers have been known to be around as early as the 1800s. Throughout history, a lot has been learned about serial killers. There have been many studies on the background of serial killers, their motivation, and the popularity serial killers have gained. Over half of the serial killer population is male; serial killers are rarely ever female. In some cases though, women are the culprit. Aileen Wuornos is one of the few notorious women serial killers. Her killings became so publicized, a movie was made, and she is known as “America’s …show more content…

The Zodiac Killer is a prime example of gaining popularity while remaining anonymous. He sent letters to the press taunting them with confessions and poems and became widely publicized. Even though the killings were never solved, the Zodiac Killer still got the attention he was longing for. He left just enough clues for the public to know who he is, but not enough for the police to actually catch him. Believe it or not, for some, popularity is the main driving point to become a serial killer. These type of people will leave little hints and clues that eventually lead to them getting caught. Dennis Rader, for example, left a note in a book requesting for the media to refer to him by a certain name. He would also kill people and call the police to come to the crime scene. Due to the popularity of serial killers, today’s generation is fascinated with knowing every little detail about them. The Hollywood industry seems to glamourize these real life killers. Some people have been able to actually make careers out of studying and eventually catching serial killers, these people are known as criminal profilers, and they work for the FBI. Due to movies and biographies, serial killers accomplish one of their main goals: people remembering their names. People know who Ted Bundy is, but can rarely name one of his victims (White, Lester and Gentile

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