0
Notorious Murderers and Serial Killers
This category contains questions and answers about those people who committed a notorious murder, or a series of murders, often in a gruesome fashion. Their psychology and manner of murder continues to fascinate and repel people.
1,026 Questions
What are the top two killers in America?
The top two killers in America are heart disease and cancer. Heart disease has consistently been the leading cause of death, often linked to factors such as obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Cancer follows closely, with various types, including lung, breast, and prostate cancer, contributing significantly to mortality rates. Both conditions highlight the importance of lifestyle choices and preventive healthcare.
Yolanda Saldivar is the former president of the Selena Fan Club who ended up being convicted of murdering the iconic singer Selena Quintanilla. She's basically known for being the ultimate backstabber in the fan club world. So, yeah, not exactly someone you'd invite to your next karaoke night.
What Research study concerned frontal lobe development and serial killers?
Well, isn't that an interesting question? Frontal lobe development is crucial for decision-making and impulse control. Some research suggests that abnormalities in the frontal lobe may be linked to certain behaviors, but it's important to remember that each person is unique and complex. Let's focus on spreading positivity and understanding in the world, shall we?
no,as she had no idea of heaven and jesus was not yet born she was born and died in a time GOD the one true one was not known.but there is some who belive that if GOD wasnt known then he will give u a chance when u stand before him,so,if true she could be in heaven,it is all in how GOD passes the law from old testm,to new.
Who did Sir Hand Sir Hand kill?
I believe it is Sirhan Sirhan , he assassinated one of the Kennedy's.
assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Are DNA results in for serial killer Belle Gunness?
The DNA sample they hoped to glean from sealed envelopes was not strong enough for a verifiable match. In October a female relative of Gunness' came forward to offer her DNA (the mitochondrial DNA should be virtually the same) - Results should be in by Spring 2009: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.true-crime/browse_thread/thread/4cb251ae58769df2/9da7080db5ef9d6e?lnk=raot&pli=1
Mr. Dahmer was a killer, a rapist/necrophiliac, and a cannibal. They found remains scattered all around this man's apartment. How is he innocent when he had severed heads, hearts, even genitalia in his fridge? This dude actually thought he could make zombies by drilling holes into their heads, then injecting hydrochloric acid into their brains. If you're an innocent man why would you stay in an apartment with the smell of rotting flesh and organs in your fridge?
Any biographical book or website can give the details of Jeffrey Dahmer's crimes. Although there were mountains of physical evidence, it was hardly needed because Dahmer confessed to all the murders. I find it hard to imagine that someone could be in such a state of denial about this man. What is also hard to believe is that he had so many close calls and in one instance the police actually returned a fleeing victim back to Dahmer personally. His body parts were in Dahmer's apartment when he was arrested, along with many others. I can only assume you think someone else planted those body parts there to frame him. Dahmer was what he was; we can either deny it because it's unpleasant or we can accept it and learn from it. I'm for the latter.
Who is the biggest murderer of the 20th century?
Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, is often cited as one of the biggest murderers of the 20th century due to the millions of deaths under his regime resulting from forced labor camps, purges, and man-made famines.
Luis Alfredo Garavito Cubillos, a.k.a. "the beast". In 1999, he admitted to the rape, torture and murder of 147 young boys. His victims, based on the locations of skeletons listed on maps that Garavito drew in prison, exceed 300 in number.
It is difficult to determine who has killed the most people in history with absolute certainty. Some of the individuals who are commonly associated with high numbers of deaths include figures like Genghis Khan, Adolf Hitler, and Joseph Stalin.
Do serial killers listen to metal?
There is no direct correlation between being a serial killer and listening to metal music. It is important to remember that musical preferences do not determine a person's behavior or actions. Serial killers come from diverse backgrounds and have various interests, like any other group of individuals.
What are the Psychological Phases a serial killer goes through?
Long before a serial killer kills for the first time, he has been satisfied with violent fantasies. When those fantasies can no longer satisfy him he needs to find a victim and kill for real. After the kill he will have a period of relative calm. At this point he may relive the kill with any trophies have may have taken from the victim. But as time goes on the need to kill begins to build again and the hunt starts again. This process will continue until he is incarcerated, whether in prison or mental hospital, he dies or he loses the need to kill as he ages.
More information.
Psychologist Joel Norris in wrote the Psychological Phases in 1988. There are hundreds of papers in the internet describing this:
1. Aura Phase
The to-be-killer begins with an aura phase, in which there is a withdrawal from reality and a heightening of the senses. It means that the killer distances him/herself from social interactions. Nevertheless, friends, family and those who encounter this person, may not be able to detect this person's change in personality. The killer becomes antisocial and life no longer has meaning to him. This phase may last anywhere from several moments to several months and can begin as a prolonged fantasy, which may have been active for a short time or for years. These fantasies often include sadistic sexual and other violent acts which possibly derive from early childhood experiences. The killer may attempt to medicate himself with alcohol or drugs which often lead to an intensification of the fantasies. After a while they have the urge to be acted upon.
2. Trolling Phase
This leads into the second stage, which is the called the trolling phase. In this phase, the killer tries to find a victim. Most serial killers will search for a victim in places he is familiar with or where he feels comfortable (the so-called comfort zone may be around the killer's neighborhood, in a certain district or area). They will also look for a particular discreet location to perform the murder and to a perfect place to dump the bodies. They usually tend to look in school yards or lovers lanes or even red light districts. This might go on for hours days and sometimes even months, until the perfect victim will be found. In the trolling phase the serial killer often follows a behavior pattern used to identify and stalk his victim. Norris described how Ted Bundy strapped his arm in a sling and asked for help with books, packages, or even the hull of a sailboat to lure the victim into his car. Some victims escaped and said he never seemed out of control until the moment he actually attacked them.
3. Wooing Phase
In the wooing phase the killer tries to win the confidence of a victim before luring it into a trap. This phase is only done by the organized killers who are much more confident, more daring, and has better social skills than disorganized killers. The killer tries to socialize with the victim and - as stated before - tries to gain his victim's trust. This is a very important phase because the organized killer often seems to only proceed to kill those who allow him to gain their trust. "When homicide detectives finally begin to uncover a pattern of serial murder, one of the first things they notice is that the victims rarely seem to have struggle against their killers" (Norris 29). Once the trust is received, the killer will then lure the victim into quiet and secluded area where the killer uncover his/her mask and moved on to the next phase.
4. Capture Phase
The fourth phase is the capture phase. This is where the killer reveals what he is. The capture of the victim can be as swiftly as snapping a handcuff on the victim's wrists, or a blow that renders the victim helpless. The killer may draw his victim into his car which has no door handle one could use as an escape. He usually savors this moment. It is disturbingly fun for him and is included in his sadistic needs. The victim may be taken to a new location, far out from people and help. Once the killer is sure that there's no way for the victim to escape, he move to the climax phase of the cycle, the murder.
5. Murder Phase
Norris described the murder phase as the ritual reenactment of the disastrous experiences of the killer's childhood, but this time he reverses the roles. The killer may decides to kill his victim instantaneously, but sometimes he will torture his victim to death, tries to revive it on the brink of death and continue with the torture (Scott). A disorganized killer is more likely to kill the victim instantaneously by a powerful attack or a quick strangulation. It is likely that the corpse is heavily "depersonalized" by mutilations of face and body (Vronsky). Any violent acts such as rape are often taken place after the victim is dead (necrophilia). The organized killer commits a much slower and more painful murder act. The victim is most likely to be tortured and raped before death. In his case the act of killing is delayed because the murder itself it often not the motive of the crime; rather, it is the torturing that the killer enjoys most. This is especially true in the sadistic killers, the most organized of all killers. This type of killers will keep their victims alive as long as possible - sometimes revive them from injuries, keeping them just alive enough to feel the pain from the tortures. The sexual sadistic killers will resources to different equipment's, such as electrical wire that they brought with them to the crime site. "The most prevalent forms of sexual acts inflicted on the victim, in order of case frequency, are anal rape, forced fellatio, vaginal rape, and foreign object penetration" (Vronsky 314). Eventually, when the killer finished with the tortures, he proceeds to kill.
6. Totem Phase
The next phase Norris described is the totem phase. After the kill, the excitement of the killer suddenly drops and he wakes up from his fantasy. He is likely to sink into a depression, which is why some serial killers develop a ritual to preserve their fantasy. They may collect their victim's possessions such as clothes and save news clippings about their crimes. Some serial killer cut off their victim's body parts to preserve and/or consume them. Others take pictures or videotape the crime. The trophy is meant to give the murderer the same feelings of power he experienced at the time of the kill and to remind him/her that the fantasy is real, and he/she really did fulfill it.
7. Depression Phase
The last phase before the serial killer starts over again is phase seven, the depression phase. There is a great emotional letdown for the killer. The depression phase can last for days, weeks, or even months. They may even become so depressed as to attempt suicide. A victim, now killed, no longer represents what the killer thought he or she represented, and the memory of the individual that tortured the murderer in the past is still there. Ressler compares the murder to a television serial with no satisfactory ending because the serial killer experiences the tension of a fantasy incompletely fulfilled. In each subsequent murder, he attempts to make the scene of the crime equal to the fantasy. Norris notes that there is an absence of the killer's sense of self and, during this phase, the killer may confess to the police before the fantasies start once more. However, because victims are not seen as people, recollections of murders may be vague or viewed as the killer having watched someone else. Eventually, the killers will fall back into their fantasies and proceed to the murder again. Each time after the murder, the fantasy will become more real and the murder will become more brutal, the cycle continues on and on until the pattern gets interrupted. The killer's interruption included getting caught, or simply the killer is "burnt out." When the killer is "burnt out," he/she withdraws from killing, and possibly commits suicide. This is one of the reason there are many unsolved serial murder cases. However, the chances are that the killers will not stop killing on his/her own. Serial killing is an addiction, and the killing patterns will be continued.
Do people murder because they are mad?
There can be many reasons why people commit murder, including anger, but it is usually a combination of various factors such as mental illness, substance abuse, environmental stressors, or personal history of trauma. While anger can be a contributing factor, it is often more complex than simply being mad.
How do you spot a serial killer?
It is not possible to spot a serial killer based on physical appearance or characteristics. Serial killers often appear normal and are skilled at hiding their true nature. It is important to be cautious and aware of one's surroundings, but jumping to conclusions about someone being a serial killer is not productive.
What are the11 traits of a serial killer?
Although some believe a serial killer can be anyone, the majority fit one main profile.
Most serial killers are psychopaths; unable to empathize with others. While psychological or emotional abuse/trauma, may be the largest factor--some theorize serial murderers have a biological difference to "normal" people. Some also theorize, these events alter the brain when the person in question is young and the brain hasn't developed; 'imprinting' on the thoughts, forcing the child to believe that this behaivior is normal and is instinctive. However, the attempt to seek power over the person who has made the murderer feel powerless is also a theory. This is highlighted in the theory of Generalized Revenge.
It is very interesting that serial killers are often identified as Caucasian (white) males (aged between 18 and 32). They are anti-social (but may not appear so, they have chameleon-like qualities) and struggle to hold deep and meaningful relationships (with family, friends, sexual partners...). They also may have a history of arson or killing small animals. Another statistic also shown is that these killers have been raised by single mothers after being abandoned by 'dead-beat fathers.' While there have been examples of female serial killers (Aileen Wuornos) and black serial killers (Wayne Williams), the majority are white male. It would be doubtful for anyone to identify a serial killer out of a crowd, however. They are the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing and blend into society (because they are predators of humans). The term "stereotyping" a serial killer is incorrect as well. The correct term is "profiling."
What kind of disorders do serial killers usually have?
Many serial killers have been classified as having APD or anti-social personality disorder and/or narciccistic personality. These types of disorders can't be 'fixed' with drugs or therapy. This is part of the person's personality and it is what it is. The best is being able to identify these types of problems and while still in childhood and hopefully prevent future tradgeties.
Why do serial killers target women?
There are several reasons why serial killers pick women. Almost all serial murder is about sex in some way. Even if the victim is not raped there will be other signs that the killer leaves that gives clues into his mindset. Jack The Ripper never raped any of his victims yet his were sexually motivated. The Zodiac of No. California never raped any of his victims, yet again there were certain sexual elements to his crimes.
Women as victims are simple for many killers. If the killer has sexual problems it seems logical he won't take out his anger on men. (unless he's homosexual) Women by their very being make for easier victims. They are smaller, weaker, and conditioned 'not to make a scene' from their earliest childhood. Also, many murder victims of serial killers have been known to work as prostitutes. That alone puts them in a higher risk factor. Prostitutes pick up strange men as a matter of business. The are frequently working in areas that are dangerous and have high crime rates. They also move around alot. If a 'working' girl has not been seen for a while, well that's just part of the job. And last by not least, working girls avoid the law. When you put all these triats together you get the perfect victim.
Is there any way to tell if someone will be a serial killer?
There are signs, behaviours that act as 'red flags' to warn that all is not well. Most serial killers, no matter their geographical location or social standing, the warning signs are pretty constant.
Bed wetting even into the early teens. Fire starting. Cruelty to animals, even their own pets. Trouble in school or with peers. Telling lies or stealing. If children have these behaviours it does not mean they will grow up to be killers. But any of the above problems may not just be 'kids being kids'. Ted Bundy, when he was a pre-schooler, took all the kitchen knives and layed them on the bed where his aunt was sleeping. When she woke up, she was surrounded by knives pointed toward her and little Teddy smiling down at her.
It is hard to tell whether this upset the other family members, but I can imagine it must have raised some eyebrows, since it was remembered decades after it happened. The Son of Sam, David Berkowitz, was big on starting fires. He confessed that he had started hundreds of fires as a teen. Jeffrey Dahmer would kill animals and mount their heads on stakes in the woods by his home.
Hindsight is 20/20, and its always easy to predict something after the fact. But more research needs to be done and hopefully someday we will not only understand the killers but may be able to prevent them from ever killing in the first place.
What psychological field would serial killers be in?
Traditionally the behavior of serial killers has been viewed through a psychological framework, blaming customary factors like bad parenting, maladjusted brain chemistry or past abuse. But Kevin Haggerty, a University of Alberta sociologist and criminologist, argues that society -- not psychology -- is responsible.
How strong are serial killers?
You would think that they would be very strong, with a musclar build that would give an indcation of what they are. No such luck. Most people are suprised when up close to a serial killer for the first time. They remark how small or puny they look, so much different than how they had the killer pictured in their mind. It's true that most of them look just like a regular 'joe'. If they looked wierd or spooky that would defeat the purpose. Nobody would let their guard down and it would not be so easy to attract victims. But when addrenilen kicks in it gives the killer strenghth even he didn't know he possessed.
Who was the first child that became a serial killer?
Henry Lee Lucas claims he first killed when he was 9 years old..he then went on to kill 127 people (proven, because he showed authority's where the bodies were) even though he claimed to have killed over 300, authorities couldn't prove it. He was sentenced to 6 Death Sentences, however he only had to have 1 (you can only be killed once)
There are many earlier cases. Look up "Serial Killer Girls" on google and you will find cases dating back to the late 19th century.
How are men and woman serial killers motives different?
For men, there is usually a sexual element to their murders. At some point in their development they begin to associate sex and violence. When women kill it is usually for reasons such as financial gain. Serial killer Aileen Wuornos is a good example. Her crimes were thought to be sexual in nature, commonly seen in male killers. But Wuornos was the rule and not the exception. She killed her male victims for the simple fact that they possessed what she wanted. Money and a car. Killing them was the easiest way to get them. For Wuornos, sex or even control had very little to do with her crimes.
Average IQ of an serial killer?
Based on a study of 113 serial killers in the Radford University Serial Killer Database, the mean IQ for serial killers is 101 and the median is 100. There is a tremendous range of IQs with a low of 57 and a high of 165.
What were the results of Scott Peterson's psychological evaluation?
It is difficult to get professionals on the same page. They all have their differing opinions. But it seems to be that Peterson is SNDP, Somatic Narcissistic Personality Disorder. There are still many that think Peterson has APD.
Mission Oriented serial killer suffers from what disorder?
Individuals who engage in mission-oriented serial killing often exhibit characteristics of antisocial personality disorder, characterized by a disregard for the rights of others, lack of empathy, and a pattern of behavior that violates societal norms. Additionally, they may display traits of psychopathy, such as manipulation and deceitfulness, which can contribute to their ability to plan and carry out their crimes in a methodical manner.
