The Psychological Mind of a Serial Killer

Serial killings and mass murders are not a common crime , but because they are so shocking that they get more attention than they deserve Mass murderers are individuals that kill multiple victims in a single episode while serial killers are those who repeat murders over a period of time . Serial killers account for only 0 .4 percent of the annual homicide rate . It has been said that the fascination serial killers get help to perpetuate their death dealing behavior (Schlesinger , 2001 Public fear about serial and mass murders is really an unfounded fear

br since it does not happen that often . Sociologist argues that spectacular offenses divert the public from much more serious problems (Glassner , 1999 . Barry Glassner believes that instead of worrying about x-raying Halloween candy to detect evidence of tampering individuals need to worry about the health care in America (1999 Serial murderers kill over a period of time are atypical and are the most feared . Mass murderers kill several people at one time and in one place

The media and social scientist have focused on the serial murderer Authorities say that sexual problems are a shared characteristic . Many of the violent , torture type of murders have involved homosexual males Serial murders are a problem in other countries as well and not just central to the United States . It is a global phenomenon . In October 1992 a former professor was sentenced to death for murdering fifty-two children and adults whose bodies he mutilated and dismembered some while they were alive . Testifying at his trial from a steel cage in the courtroom in Rostov-on-Don , Russia , Andrei Chikatilo described himself as a freak of nature or a mad beast . Chikatilo was a former college language professor who blamed his rude bosses and his poverty under Communism for his crimes . He was sentenced to death (Dehart Mahoney 1994

Most serials or mass murderers are male with a few exceptions to women One case that stands out is the murder Aileen Wuornos a lesbian prostitute from Florida . She traveled to various locations and stalked hunted and killed acting alone . She used a gun and she killed strangers rather than family members or friends . Wuornos departed from other women serial killers in that she engaged in behavior similar to that of male serial murders . The FBI has focused on serial murders in its National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime . In March 1989 the center held its first national conference on `serial murderers and found two distinct types . The organized killer plans his crimes carefully picking a stranger as his victim . Restraints are used on the victim and evidence is destroyed carefully and skillfully . The large number of murders committed by some serial killers before they are apprehended is evidence of their success . The disorganized killer is sloppy in his work and will commit a spontaneous crime on someone he knows . Both the organized and disorganized killers are consumed with a desire or need to kill , but the organized serial killer tries to...