What Is The Difference Between Mass Killers And Serial Killers

Mass Murderers and Serial Killers

Although Mass Murderers and Serial killers differ in their motives and approaches, both types have similar backgrounds and beliefs. “Mass murder is sometimes confused with serial murder by the public and the media.” (Bonn, S. 2015). Serial killers kill at least 2 people. “The classic definition of serial murder also requires a period of time between the murders. This pause or break between killings is necessary to distinguish between a mass murder, which is a one-time event, and serial murder, which has multiple incidents.” (Bonn, S. 2015). There are several things they have in common such as their backgrounds, their IQ’s and their relationship status. Mass murderers and serial killers also both display psychopathic

“Most of the time they are white men who are divorced or single. Their issues stem from the lack of a father figure that works its way into their adult relationships” (Harper, D. (2006). As children, they are often bedwetters, fire starters and animal abusers. “The "Homicide Triad", which is the traits of a serial killer when they are a child, is the key factor in the development of serial killers. The "Homicide Triad" that includes bed-wetting, arson and animal torture as a child, is one of the most common traits of a serial killer (Newton, 2000, 101). As they grow up they become more dysfunctional themselves despite their high IQ. While they have many similarities, they are slightly different in the aspect that mass murderers tend to be less social then serial killers. They would prefer to be at home alone, contained with their rage while for a serial killer part of their thrill lies in deceiving people. “Serial killers are often ‘peeping Tom’s’ before they graduate to murder.” (Knoll, J. (2006). Although they have differences one thing remains abundantly clear, many people would never guess what is going on in their mind at any

Serial killers commit their crimes on at least three separate occasions in various places and with one victim at a time. “Each murder is strategically planned and obsessed over.” (Knoll, J. 2006). They are not insane at the moment but instead coolly detached. They have planned over every detail and their every thought is on their victim and the crime that is about to happen. Often, investigators have deduced this is because of their early formative years. “Investigators with significant experience interviewing serial murderers have speculated that the behavior may result from a deadly convergence of: 1) early childhood attachment disruptions; 2) psychopathy; and 3) early traumatogenic abuse.” (Knoll, J. (2006). After the killing is over they find a dump spot and depending on how fast they want it to be discovered leave the body. Often, they will take a trophy with them so they can relive what they have done. “Once caught serial killers thrill over telling the authorities every detail of their crime.” (Harper, D. 2006). Mass murderers, much like serial killers, have planned in their minds everything they are about to do. They are un-compassionate, cruel and manipulative. While the crimes are different and planned in diverse ways the two at the core remain the same with their sociopathic behaviors and