Jeffrey Dahmer: serial killer case analysis

Jeffrey Dahmer

Much speculation and debate has circulated over the underlying reasons for the heinous actions of many serial killers. The case of Jeffrey Dahmer is one of the most unusually gruesome cases, and has yet to be explained by any satisfactory means. New research in brain biochemistry is beginning to reveal possible explanations for the extreme and dysfunctional behavior exhibited by criminals such as Jeffrey Dahmer. Although Dahmer's death and his father's subsequent refusal to allow researchers to examine Dahmer's brain may make it ultimately impossible to pinpoint his particular ailments, however, these studies may prove to provide the missing key to explain his behavior as well as provide markers to indicate the potential for this behavior in other individuals.

One very promising lead that has scientists very hopeful is the identification of what they have termed the "mauve factor." To have the mauve factor means that increased levels of a metabolite called kryptopyrrole. This chemical is usually either completely undetectable in humans, or is detected in very small amounts. However, tests have shown that the mauve factor shows up in high levels in schitzophrenics and many individuals with violent criminal records.

Essentially, kryptopyrrole chemically binds to vitamin B6 and zinc causing a deficiency of these nutrients when the kryptopyrrole is eliminated through the urine. These deficiencies can then lead to inefficient production of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and GABA, which are all biochemicals that are related to pleasure, r relatxation, sleep, and pain reception. Zinc is a cofactor in the efficacy of certain enzymes. Most importantly, both B6 and zinc are important elements in the production of heme, which is essential to life. Any disturbance in the homeostasis of brain chemistry or the production or efficacy of the natural enzymes can result not only in physical illness, but also phsyciatric disturbances. Additionally, there seems to be a high correlation between a high urinary kryptopyrrole level and low stress tolerance and loss of control. All of this evidence has resulted in kryptopyrrole being used as a reliable biochemical marker of psychiatric dysfunction and violent potential in individuals (Giannangelo 25).

With these indicators, it seems highly likely that Jeffrey Dahmer may have indeed had this mauve factor. Even Jeffrey himself admitted to knowing these violent acts were dysfunctional and wrong, but there seemed to be very little he could do to control his own actions. The compulsions to murder, dismember, and cannibalize his victims were completely beyond his ability to control what seemed to be utterly primal urges.

What this theory doesn't account for is the lack of other violent criminals in Dahmer's family. It has been shown that this kryptopyrrole disorder does have a genetic basis, and if this is to serve as a strong indicative marker for psychosis then there should be at least some minor violent criminal behavior in his family (Giannangelo 27). Also, if the B6 and zinc deficiency were so severe as to create such consistently monstrous behavior through such a large portion of Jeffrey's lifetime there would logically be some sort of physical illnesses to indicate that there was something chemically amiss.