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Running Head: Making A Murderer: What Drives Someone to Commit Serial Murder
Brianna E. Lane
Abstract
This paper analyzes the definition of serial murder, 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 paper discusses the definition of serial murder in comparison to mass murder and
the various elements that comprise serial murder. Second, common traits are discussed that can
be found in these perpetrators, possessing them to repetitively engage in the act of killing. Along
with these characteristics, the primary motives are analyzed 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, profiling techniques are examined as well as the validity of such methods despite
public concern. After compiling research and investigating the aspects of serial murder, this
paper offers an answer to the essential question: what are the primary motives behind serial
killing?
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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. Although research suggests many motivating factors behind the
act of serial killing, the primary motives for such heinous crimes are sexual desires, power or
According to Miller (2013), Andes (2015) and Kaplan (2015), a serial killer is someone
who kills at least three victims over a period of time with a distinguished cooling-off period
between murders. Miller deciphers serial murder from mass murder, claiming that a mass
murderer kills as many victims as possible at one time (2013). The two differ specifically in the
number of victims killed and the time between each death. A blog by the name of TwistedMinds
presents the three main elements of serial murder: quantity (there have to be at least three
murders), place (the murders have to occur at different locations) and time (there has to be a
cooling-off period or an interval between the murders that can last anywhere from several hours
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to several years). Given the complex elements that comprise serial murder, it is evident that the
definition has evolved over time from a broad perspective to a narrowly detailed perspective.
Since the early 1900s, researchers and citizens alike have questioned the accuracy of the
serial murder definition. Taken from the 1992 FBI Crime Classification Manual, the Federal
Bureau of Investigations defined serial murder as three or more separate events in three or more
However, many believed this definition was too elusive and broad to use as an identification tool.
Instead, the National Institute of Justice offered a more flexible, yet accurate definition, defining
serial murder as
A series of two or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not
always, by one offender acting alone. The crimes may occur over a period of time
ranging from hours to years. Quite often the motive is psychological, and the
offenders behavior and the physical evidence observed at the crime scenes with
reflect sadistic, sexual overtones (TwistedMinds).
The latter offers insight into the behaviors and motives of the killer himself rather than strictly
limiting the definition to the number of murders and the time between each murder. It points the
finger (in most cases) at one killer who is responsible for three or more victims, while the first
definition fails to clarify the number of killers involved. The first definition references a broad
emotional cooling-off period that allows the killer to bounce back from each murder, while the
more recent definition explains the duration of this period, lasting anywhere from hours to years
depending on the killer. While both are generalizations of all serial murders, the second offers a
more accurate and therefore, useful definition when attempting to identify a serial killer and the
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
they most likely suffered from significant emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, instilling
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, some serial killers may display a fascination with
fire setting, fetishism, and sadistic activity such as torturing animals that may also contribute to
violence later in life (TwistedMinds). These characteristics help establish tell-tale signs of a
serial killer and offer a viable explanation behind their killing sprees.
for killing, some of which include power, sexual desires, thrill, fulfillment of a mission, and
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financial gain. 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 (Ioana,
2013).
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
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 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
individuals from the general population. (Hazelwood & Douglas, 1980, pg. 22).
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
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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 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.
Recently, public concern has heightened regarding the validity of profiling techniques in
the identification process. A study conducted by Donald Promish and David Lester in 1999
attempted to match the appearance and demeanor of 27 serial killers according to the unique
signatures found on their victims bodies. They identified killers based on two appearance-
demeanor types Type 1: BOTH clean-cut in appearance AND usually very polite, almost
meek; or Type 2: NEITHER clean-cut in appearance NOR usually very polite, almost meek
(Promish & Lester, 1999, pg.156). They defined the postmortem signatures of the subjects as
rape, dismemberment, burning, torture, biting, masturbation, insertion of a foreign object in the
vagina, insertion of a foreign object in the mouth, striking with a blunt instrument, and
administration of drugs and/or alcohol (Promish & Lester, 1999, pg. 156). The researchers
compiled their results in a chart, indicating the killers type and marking their signatures with an
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X if they were present on the bodies of their victims. After analyzing the data, Promish and
Lester identified a general link that exists between postmortem signature and type because while
four out of eight Type 1 subjects were seriously misclassified, only two out of nineteen Type 2
subjects were seriously misclassified (Promish & Lester, 1999, pg. 157). Therefore, the
researchers suggest that a connection can be drawn between signatures of the serial killers and
appearance-demeanor types as they are defined in the study. However, analysis of signatures is
not the only method of identification used by investigators. There is a strong belief that
violent behavior and even give rise to serial murder. These genetic differences can be seen in a
criminals DNA in comparison to that of an average person. In her article No One is Born a
Serial Killer!, Ilie Magdalena Ioana discusses a theory of physiological constitutional decisive
differences (Ioana, 2013, pg. 325) in which frequent abnormalities are present in sexual
extra X chromosome resulting in a 47 XXY formula which is five times higher in criminals than
among the general population. Crime Chromosome is the presence of an extra Y chromosome
resulting in a 47 XYY formula which is ten times higher in criminals than the general population
(Ioana, 2013, pg. 325). Consistent with the ideas expressed by Ioana, Abby Rogers touches on
the theory of chromosomal abnormalities, suggesting that these genetic differences expressed
particularly by males during puberty can potentially give rise to aggressive criminal behavior
Studies show that there are various methods of identification that investigators use to
correctly profile a killer. For example, a study conducted by White, Lester, Gentile, and
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Rosenbleeth (2011) examines the variables that led to police focusing their attention on specific
suspects. They looked at 200 serial killers and developed 12 categories that describe how these
individuals come to the attention of the police based on their results: victim released (1%),
murderer killed during the crime (1.5%), voluntary went to police and confessed (2%), identified
by witness as being with victim(s) just prior to murder (2%), sent communication to
media/police (2.5%), caught in the act (5.5%), victim survived after being left for dead (7.5%),
victim escaped (8%), linked to crime scene (16.5%), linked to victims other than by eyewitnesses
(16.5%), arrested for a different offense (16.5%), or turned in by someone who knew the
offender (20.5%) (White, et al., 2011, pg. 162). The statistics suggest that a majority of serial
information. The researchers concluded that forensic science proved to be helpful in convicting
the perpetrator but not in identifying them. They suggested that a relationship exists between
psychological and physical evidence that contributes to identification, making it easy to convict
offenders. The research provided by White, Lester, Gentile, and Rosenbleeth (2011) proves how
valuable profiling really is and how everyday citizens can play a role in convicting serial killers,
thus reducing the possibility for such malicious acts and making the community a safer place.
Ties between appearance and criminality have existed for a long time. Today, the science
of psychology features one fundamental idea that human behavior is in some capacity a
reflection of personality. In his article, Profiling the criminal mind: does it actually work?,
Richard Kocsis attempts to prove the validity of profiling techniques by discussing the
relationship between appearance and criminality. He discusses one of the first applications of this
theory in investigating the criminal behavior of serial killer Jack the Ripper. In 1888, law
enforcement asked a physician to give a description of him based on his behaviors in the
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murders. In 1956, psychiatrist James Brussel gave an extremely detailed and accurate description
of the New York City mad-bomber. These applications inspired the beginnings of the
Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI which was initiated in the 1970s. However, Kocsis
acknowledges that failures in profiling, such as the 1996 Olympic Games bombing and the 1992
murder of Rachel Nickell, have led many people to question the validity and overall value of
Contrary to popular belief, studies have found that profiling is generally accurate and the
group with the highest proficiency was professional profilers. Although, the skills required to be
proficient werent experience in law enforcement but the capacity for logical and objective
reasoning (Kocsis, 2004, pg. 15). Kocsis suggests that there needs to be a level of trust
established between the community and law enforcement in order to ease public concerns. There
needs to be an accurate, effective system put in place that matches killers up with their victims
while also ensuring that innocent people do not face a false accusation. Consistent with Kocsis
opinion and other supporting research, it is safe to conclude that profiling techniques do more
good than harm considering a majority of methods successfully point investigators in the right
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
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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 majority of these heinous crimes are linked to sex, power, personal
Serial murder is not a new phenomenon. Over the years there has been increasing interest
in the topic that far exceeds its scope and has generated countless articles, books, movies, and
television shows. While serial murder may be rare, it is deserving of more attention than what it
receives given the number of individuals that have fallen victim to such malicious, grotesque
acts. Ongoing research continues, as forensic psychologists attempt to uncover more information
specifically about the criminal brain that may serve as an indication of murderous behavior
(Rogers, 2013). Criminal investigators continue to improve upon their profiling methods, making
it easier and faster to pinpoint a killer based on their tendencies. While there is no infallible
equation for what makes a serial killer, it is important for the public to be informed of common
characteristics and tell-tale signs because believe it or not, serial murder is a worldwide problem
that occurs every day. A serial killer could be anyone someone you bumped into on the street,
maybe a neighbor, a coworker, or even a distant family member. It is essential to not only
acknowledge that this problem exists but, as active members of the community, be aware of
similar traits and behaviors in order to avoid becoming the next victim.
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Reference List
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