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Running Head: Making A Murderer: What Drives Someone to Commit Serial Murder

Making A Murderer: What Drives Someone to Commit Serial Murder

Brianna E. Lane
Glen Allen High School
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Abstract
This review discusses the common characteristics of serial killers and the motivating factors that

cause one to commit such heinous crimes. Although serial murder has been a severe crime for centuries,

recent interest in the fields of criminal profiling and behavioral analysis has made evident the various

factors that contribute to such actions. The first part of the review discusses similar traits that can be

found in these perpetrators that possess them to repetitively engage in the act of killing. Second, the

primary motives behind killing are discussed as well as classifications based on behavioral patterns.

Following is an exploration into the differences between male and female serial killers including

motives, methods, and victims that set them apart. Research is discussed regarding the rarity of female

serial killers, yet their behaviors suggest they are just as deadly as men. Last, after compiling research

and investigating the various aspects of serial murder, the conclusion offers an answer to the essential

question, suggesting that serial murderers primarily kill for sex, power, personal gratification, or

financial gain.

Introduction
From Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy, individuals throughout history have been driven to

commit serial murder out of jealousy, revenge, the desire for power, and personal satisfaction. But what

is the real source of motivation behind this malicious, violent act? What goes through one's mind that

prompts such cruel, vicious behavior? Recently new light has been shed on what makes a serial killer

and what causes their uncontrollable outbursts, as well as investigative methods such as criminal

profiling. Television shows and other media sources satisfy common misconceptions of serial killers,

portraying them as psychopaths who suffer from mental disorders and extreme aggression. However,

these sources do not allude to the wide range of influences that could contribute to murderous behavior,

thus making the process of profiling more difficult for investigators. The focus of this literature review is
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to answer the essential question: what are the primary motives behind serial killing and how can one

accurately profile?

Characteristics of A Serial Killer

Despite diverse ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, educational, and familial backgrounds, serial

killers possess common characteristics that contribute to their malicious acts. Trends in personality traits

hint at extreme aggression and provide insight into the mind of a murderer. While not all serial killers

are the exact same, there are several common denominators that can be investigated to further draw

connections between the perpetrator and his or her criminal behavior. The most common indicator of

behavior can be found within their childhood family dynamic. Serial killers tend to come from troubled

families in which they were perhaps abandoned by a parent or forced to grow up in homes dominated by

their mothers. As children, they most likely suffered from significant emotional, physical, or sexual

abuse, instilling profound feelings of humiliation and helplessness (TwistedMinds).

Often times serial murderers have a long history of psychiatric problems or alcoholism that tend

to run in the family, making them vulnerable to the same behavioral patterns. Because of their

resentment toward distant, abusive parental figures, they have a great deal of trouble with authority.

Many serial killers suffer from suicidal thoughts, attempting to take their own life due to extreme social

isolation and a general hatred of the world (TwistedMinds). Along with signs of mental illness and

childhood abuse, a Parcast blog indicates that fascination with fire setting, fetishism, and sadistic

activity such as torturing animals can also contribute to violence later in life. These characteristics help

establish tell-tale signs of a serial killer and offer a viable explanation behind their killing sprees.

Classifications and Motives

Over the years, researchers have attempted to classify serial killers based on their motives for

killing, some of which include power, sexual desires, thrill, fulfillment of a mission, and financial gain.
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In his article Serial Killers: I. Subtypes, Patterns, and Motives, Laurence Miller attempts to identify

the various behavioral trends of serial killers and what possesses them to commit such heinous crimes.

Miller analyzes five specific populations of serial killers sadist-masochist, female, couple,

homosexual, and professional killers. Sadist-masochist serial killers are motivated by the fulfillment of

sexual desires and the pleasures of pain (Miller, 2013, pg. 7). Female serial killers, who possess many of

the same characteristics as males, tend to fall within several categories. They could express signs of a

visionary killer who experiences delusions and hallucinations, compelling them to murder. Hedonistic

female serial killers murder for comfort, power, or thrill, deriving pleasure and a sense of peace from the

suffering of their victims (Parcast).

Miller examines professional killers based on their years of experience, the thoroughness of their

crimes, and their ability to avoid capture. Homosexual serial killers tend to kill for some sort of profit or

gratification. Lastly, couple serial killers are composed of dominant-submissive pairs or equally

dominant teams of closely related individuals (Miller, 2013, pg. 8). Murders that are carried out for

religious purposes or cult activity fall within this population. However, a majority of the couple serial

killers feature a male as the primary perpetrator with a female accomplice who work together, with the

hope of achieving a sense of empowerment. Furthermore, Miller suggests that that there is a lifelong

pattern of increasingly antisocial and criminal behavior, although serial killers do not usually have

previous convictions; therefore, a criminal history exists but no criminal record (Miller, 2013, pg. 4). A

frequent association appears between serial homicide and other crimes such as burglary and rape, all of

which involve a violation of another persons intimate self, ultimately satisfying the killers desire for

control (Miller, 2013, pg. 4).

Serial murderers can be classified based on their motives as well as their signature patterns when

committing the crime. A study by Hazelwood and Douglas (1980) attempts to characterize the lust
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murderer through organized nonsocial and disorganized asocial patterns. An organized nonsocial killer

tends to have an irresponsible and self-centered attitude while being completely cognizant of their

actions. They typically commit crimes for their impact on society, thus fulfilling some type of mission.

The crime tends to be in a secluded or isolated location, making it easier to transport the body of the

victim. Signs of dissection indicate an attempt to hinder the identification of the body. For organized

nonsocial killers, there is much less physical evidence left at the crime scene compared to their

disorganized counterparts. On the other hand, disorganized asocial serial killers feel rejected and lonely

because of difficulty in interpersonal relationships and therefore, seek acceptance. They are more prone

to using a weapon to torture or mutilate a victim prior to death. Often times they insert foreign objects in

a curiosity-motivated, yet brutal manner (Hazelwood & Douglas, 1980, pg. 20). Anthropophagic acts

of cannibalism indicate disorganized behavior. These two classifications help investigators profile

based on characteristic patterns or factors of uniqueness that distinguish certain individuals from the

general population. (Hazelwood & Douglas, 1980, pg. 22).

Differences Between Male and Female Serial Killers

Research suggests that gender can be a distinct indicator of behavioral patterns including

methods of killing, characteristics, intended motives, and targeted victims. A study by Myers, Gooch,

and Meloy (2005) analyzes the role of sexuality in a female serial killer and identifies key differences

between their male counterparts. To begin, serial murders account for about 0.5-1.0% of all murders and

only a small percentage of these offenders are thought to be female, perhaps 5-10% (Myers et al., 2005,

pg. 3). Unlike male serial killers who usually kill for sexual reasons, most female serial murderers kill

for either money or for excitement and power in institutional settings like hospitals or nursing homes

(Myers et al., 2005, pg. 3). Ironically, female serial killers pursue stereotypical feminine professions

such as nurses, care-givers, or Sunday School teachers that gave them greater access to vulnerable
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victims (Kaplan, 2015). While most victims are unknown to a male murderer, female serial killers

murder people they know, often their own family members (Kaplan, 2015). Their primary weapon of

choice is poison, strategically using their attractiveness to lure in victims. Female serial killers tend to

have longer killing careers than men, presumably because their crimes are more methodically planned

out (Myers, et al., 2005). The gender differences identified in Myers et al.s study consistently matches

those mentioned in Sarah Kaplans article (2015), suggesting that although female serial killers are rare,

they are equally as malicious and deadly as their male counterparts.

Conclusion
Research into serial murder and the topics surrounding the behavior unveil the complexity of the

criminology field itself. While some research suggests that all serial killers are essentially the same,

other sources allude to psychological, physical, and social differences that uniquely set them apart.

However, the agreement that serial murder is carried out in hopes of some sort of gratification or

fulfillment is consistent throughout history as specific cases are studied in depth. Sources suggest a

growing interest in the field and the need for more research in order for investigators to accurately

profile these criminals. Studies surrounding this topic point to the idea that a serial killer could be

anyone a neighbor, a friend, a classmate, or even a close family member. Learning the tell-tale signs of

a serial killer and what contributes to their behavioral habits will aid in the profiling process and make

society more knowledgeable about what happens behind closed doors. Although research suggests many

motivating factors behind the act of serial killing, the primary motives for such heinous crimes are

sexual desires, power or control, personal satisfaction, and financial gain.

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Research List

(2016, June 30). What Makes and Motivates a Serial Killer? Parcast. Retrieved from

https://www.parcast.com/blog/2016/6/30/what-makes-and-motivates-a-serial-killer

Hazelwood, R. R., & Douglas, J. E. (1980). The lust murderer. FBI Law Enforcement

Bulletin, 49(4), 18-22.

Kaplan, S. (2015, March 6). The surprising but curiously logical differences between male and

female serial killers. The Washington Post. Retrieved from

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/06/inside-the-minds-of-

female-serial-killers/?utm_term=.6245426abef4

Miller, L. (2013). Serial killers: I. subtypes, patterns, and motives. Aggression and Violent

Behavior, 19, 1-11.

Myers, W. C., Gooch, E., & Meloy, J. R., (2005). The role of psychopathy and sexuality in a

female serial killer. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 50(1-6), 1-6.

TwistedMinds.com. Psychological Disorders: What Motivates Serial Killers to Kill.

Retrieved from http://www.twistedminds.creativescapism.com/