What Are The Characteristics Of Serial Killers

Serial Killer Typologies and Characteristics

Serial murder as defined by the FBI (2005) is, “[t]he unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events" (Morton & Hilts, 2005 p. 9). However, numerous people disagree with the definition, including this researcher, since it lacks a cool-down period in between murders, which numerous professionals believe is necessary for serial killer status. Serial killers remain a rare phenomenon. The FBI (2005) states, serial murder accounts for under one percent of the killings a year (2). Nevertheless, throughout the years, countless people have researched serial killers since they commit such heinous crimes and are fascinating. Criminologists such as Dr. Ronald Holmes,

Motives of serial killers can vary greatly by murderer. "The motives of serial killers are commonly placed into four categories: visionary, mission-oriented, hedonistic and power or control; however, the motives of any given killer may display considerable overlap among these categories" (Coulthard, 2011 para. 5). Hedonistic killers typically fall into a few subgroups according to their motivations. It can be difficult to determine a specific motivation since serial killers can fall into more than one classifications.

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Vronsky (2004) further states, that these types of killers frequently stay fascinated with the deceased body of their victim and commonly keep the body in order to continue his or her domination over the them. These controlling acts are similar to what Jeffery Dahmer did to his victims ' bodies: however, he is considered a lust killer. Coulthard (2011) states, that, many of these murderers were mistreated at a young age, which left them feeling incompetent and weak. Numerous of these killers sexually assault their victims, but not for reasons such as lust killers (Coulthard,