Serial Killers Forensic Psychology

Where law meets the study of the mind, you’ll find the Forensic psychiatric/psychological professional.  Psychiatrist is a medical doctor – medical treatment of the psyche  Psychologist is not a medical doctor – study of the mind and behavior  BOTH – mental health professionals – expertise is the mind and the way it affects behavior and well-being WHY? The law and medical aspects of crime are often at odds.  Insane or not?  Competent to stand trial or not?The law and medical aspects of crime are often at odds.  Insane or not?  Competent to stand trial or not?

Types of Murderers 1.Mass Murderer 2.Spree Murderer 3.Serial Killer

Types of Murderers Mass Murderer – kill 4 or more people in one place at one time.Mass Murderer – kill 4 or more people in one place at one time. Have clear agenda – know whyHave clear agenda – know why No “cooling-off” periodNo “cooling-off” period May want to send a “message.”May want to send a “message.” Higher the death toll – better the job doneHigher the death toll – better the job done Typically ends with death of perpetrator – suicide or killed by law enforcementTypically ends with death of perpetrator – suicide or killed by law enforcement

Some Famous Mass Murderers August 1, 1966 – Charles Whitman Killed 14 people and injured dozens in shooting from the top of a tower on the campus of the University of Texas. Entire episode lasted 90 minutes. July 20, 2012 – James Eagan Holmes Killed 12 and injured 58 in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises. Entire episode lasted 7 minutes.

Some Famous Mass Murderers April 20, 1999 Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murder 13 and injure 21 in a high school in Columbine, Colorado. Entire episode lasted an estimated 90 minutes September 15, th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed by 4 KKK members killing 4 children and injuring 22.

Spree Murderers A spree killer is much like a serial killer.A spree killer is much like a serial killer. –CHARACTERISTICS Kills more than one person at two or more locations.Kills more than one person at two or more locations. Happens quickly – with no cooling off period.Happens quickly – with no cooling off period. Killer is constantly moving…hiding, running, planning.Killer is constantly moving…hiding, running, planning. Often end with suicide.Often end with suicide Andrew Cunanan Killed 5 men in 4 states (Mn, Il. NJ, Fl) Time: 3 months Committed suicide Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate. Murdered 11 people in 6 weeks – Nebraska Starkweather …got the chair Fugate.. Paroled in 1977

Serial Killers A serial killer is a person who murders three or more people over a period of more than thirty daysA serial killer is a person who murders three or more people over a period of more than thirty days The crimes are attempted or completed in similar ways and the victims may have some things in common: Occupation, Sex, Race, Appearance, and AgeThe crimes are attempted or completed in similar ways and the victims may have some things in common: Occupation, Sex, Race, Appearance, and Age There is generally a cooling off period (3 months) between each murderThere is generally a cooling off period (3 months) between each murder Motivation is primarily psychological gratification (sexual element may be present in some cases)Motivation is primarily psychological gratification (sexual element may be present in some cases)

WARNING This unit can become very disturbing.This unit can become very disturbing. If you need to take a break from the class material PLEASE let me know.If you need to take a break from the class material PLEASE let me know.

The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. John Milton Paradise Lost

What is a serial killer? What characteristics come to mind?

The 1st of Many ♠ H.H. Holmes is considered to be the United States' first serial killer. ♠ Holmes confessed to 27 murders in the 1890s and was convicted of 9. ♠ He began by killing guests at a hotel that he opened to host visitors to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. ♠The FBI estimates ~ 400 serial killers responsible for anywhere from 2,526 to 3,680 victims during the last century.

Characteristics of a serial killer Majority of serial killers are single, white (71.7%) males (88.3); they are often intelligent, with an “IQ” in the “above normal” range They tend to have trouble keeping a job, usually working in menial labor jobs

Characteristics of a serial killer Serial killers are more likely to come from unstable homes. As a child they may have been abandoned by the father and were raised by domineering mothers

Characteristics of a serial killer Families of serial killers will often have criminal, Families of serial killers will often have criminal, psychiatric or alcoholic histories. The investigation of serial killers reveals they were frequently abused by a family member while growing up. This abuse may be; physical, emotional, or sexual in nature. Serial Killers tend to have high rates of suicide attempts

Characteristics of a serial killer From an early age, many were interested in abnormal sexual interest; including, voyeurism, fetishism, sadomasochistic pornography More than 60 percent of serial killers wet their beds beyond age 12 Many are fascinated with fire starting, and were involved in sadistic activities; such as torturing small animals

Serial Killer Classifications Serial killers are generally classified one of two ways: Organized/Nonsocial offenders psychopath Disorganized/Asocial offenders psychotic

Distinction Between Psychopath & Psychotic PSYCHOPATH PSYCHOPATH ♠“Anti-social personality disorder” (new term) ♠ Knows difference between right & wrong PSYCHOTIC ♠Clinical mental illness (ex: Schizophrenia) ♠May hear voices/ hallucinate ♠cannot tell the difference between right & wrong, ♠Rare in serial killers

Organized/Nonsocial offenders These serial killers have an above average intelligence. The organized offender will plan crimes methodically; victims are usually abducted from one location, taken to another location where they are killed and then the body is disposed of in a third location The organized offender likes to use ploys to lure their victims. They play on the sympathy of the victim.

Organized/Nonsocial offenders Specific types of victims may be targeted by the organized offender. (i.e. prostitutes, runaways) This type of offender has the need to maintain a high degree of control over the crime scene. They have knowledge of forensic science and will attempt to cover their tracks i.e. bury bodies (or weigh it down and sink in water) This offender will follow the case in the media and take pride in their actions.

Organized/Nonsocial offenders Generally, the organized/nonsocial offender is socially adequate. They tend to have friends, lovers, and family. When captured, the organized offender may be described by people who know them as kind or someone who is unlikely to hurt anyone Serial Killers who may be considered Organized/Nonsocial Offenders would include: Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy

Disorganized/Asocial offenders The disorganized offender is more likely have low intelligence They commit crimes impulsively, primarily when an opportunity arises Victims will be attacked suddenly and without warning; the offender may leap out and attack The disorganized offender may conduct rituals after the victim is dead (necrophilia, mutilation, and cannibalism are examples)

Disorganized/Asocial offenders This offender will rarely worry about covering their tracks. They evade capture for a period of time primarily due to the anonymity of the crime (stranger on stranger) The disorganized offender is frequently introverted; someone who is socially inadequate with few friends and may have a history of mental problems. An example of serial killers who we consider to be disorganized would be: Richard Chase

F.B.I. Crime Scene Analysis Distinguishes two types of crime scenes as the basis of psychological profiling: Organized Offender High intelligenceHigh intelligence Socially adequateSocially adequate Sexually competentSexually competent Lives with a partnerLives with a partner High birth order statusHigh birth order status Father had/has stable workFather had/has stable work Childhood discipline inconsistentChildhood discipline inconsistent Situational stress causes crimeSituational stress causes crime CharmingCharming Is mobileIs mobile Follows crime in mediaFollows crime in media TED BUNDY Disorganized Offender Below average intelligence Socially inadequate Sexually incompetent Works at unskilled labor Low birth order status Father had/has unstable work Received harsh discipline as child Mood is anxious during crime Stress not a factor in causing crime Lives alone/does not date Poor personal hygiene Not interested in media Nocturnal Significant behavior changes after crime RICHARD RAMIREZ

Insanity= Legal Term Only ♠Rarely used (1 % of court cases) & almost never successful. ♠ Must prove that because of mental disease you didn’t know right from wrong at the time of killing. ♠Mental disease itself is not grounds for this defense. ♠Very controversial in few cases it was successfully used ♠Ex: John Hinckley Jr. ♠Acquitted on insanity plea (1982)

Motives of Serial Killers There are four primary motives for serial killers to act. They are considered… VisionaryMission-orientedHedonistic Seeking Power or Control

Visionary Serial Killers Usually suffer from psychotic breaks with reality. They believe they are another person and are compelled to murder; by God or the devil The two most common subgroups of visionary serial killers are: Demon mandated God mandated An example of the visionary serial killer is David Berkowitz (Son of Sam). He claimed demons transmitted orders through His neighbor’s dog

Mission-Oriented Serial Killers This type of killer will attempt to justify their acts by saying they are ridding the world of undesirables; Including: homosexuals, prostitutes, people with different ethnicities and people with different religions. Mission-oriented serial killers are usually not psychotic; See their role is to change the nature of human society Cure a social ill

Hedonistic Serial Killers The hedonistic killers are seeking the thrills and pleasure they gain from killing. The people are an expendable means to this goal There are three subtypes of hedonistic killers LustLust ThrillThrill ComfortComfort

Lust Killers Sex is the primary motive for these killers. Their victims may be dead or alive; although fantasy plays large roll in killing The level of sexual gratification will depend on the amount of torture and/or mutilation involved The lust killer will use weapons that require close contact with victim (knife or hands) As the lust killer continues to kill, the time between murders will decrease while the required level of stimulation increases

Thrill Killers The primary motive of the thrill killer is to produce pain or create terror, which provide stimulation and excitement Killers in this category seek the adrenaline rush produced by hunting and killing They murder only for the kill; the attack is not prolonged and there is not any sexual aspect to their crimes.

Thrill Killers This type of killer will try to commit what they see is the perfect crime and believe they will not be caught Victims of thrill killers are usually strangers Examples of thrill killers are: The Belt way snipers (Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad)The Belt way snipers (Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad) The Zodiac KillerThe Zodiac Killer

Comfort Killers The primary motive of comfort killers is material gain and/or comfort of their lifestyle Victims of comfort killers are frequently family members or people the killer had a close association with. This type of killer will have an extended time period between murders; to allow suspicion to be focused on others, not them

Comfort Killers The comfort killer has been known to use poisons as the weapon, with arsenic being very common; especially if the killer is a female. Two of the female serial killers who would be considered comfort killers are; Dorothea Puente and H.H. Holmes

Power or Control Serial Killers Main objective of this type of serial killer is to gain or exert power over the victim This offender may have been abused as a child; and left with feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy as adults Many of these offenders will sexually abuse their victims, motivated by dominating the victim

Signatures or Souvenirs of Serial Killers Certain serial killers choose to “collect” signatures or souvenirs from their victims. These are considered behavioral characteristics or psychological markers unique to the specific killer. Signatures or souvenirs may include: – posing the victims (post death) – concealing victims – using the same type of weapon – using the same method of killing – mutilating all the victims in the same manor

Investigating Serial Killers: 4 Phases of Profiling 1. Antecedent What plan or fantasy, or both did the murderer have in place before the act? What triggered the murderer to act some days and not others? 2. Method and Manner What type of victim(s) did the murderer select? What method and manner of murder? – Shooting – Stabbing – Strangulation – Other

Investigating Serial Killers: 4 Phases of Profiling 3. Body Disposal Did the murder and body disposal happen at the same scene? Or multiple scenes? 4. Post-offense behavior Is the murderer trying to inject himself into the investigation? Reacting to media reports? Contacting investigators?

Unsolved Cases There are a lot of ideas on what happens to serial killers when cases are never solved. Experts theorize that some of these killers: Commit suicide or die While others may be in jail, mental institutions Some may relocate or stop killing A few may actually turn themselves in to authorities.

Nature vs. Nurture Neuroscientist – Jim FallonNeuroscientist – Jim Fallon Looks at brain scans and genetic analysisLooks at brain scans and genetic analysis –Can it be explained why serial killers are usually males? Listen and take notes! Exploring the Mind of a Killer Exploring the Mind of a Killer

Some Famous Serial Killers Ted Bundy ( ) Jeffrey Dahmer ( ) Ed Gein ( ) John Wayne Gacy ( ) David Berkowitz ( ) Aileen Wuornos ( )