Defining serial killers: characteristics, profiles, and antisocial personality disorder

Serial Killers

Opening statement: Introduction

The term 'serial killer' has become part of modern vocabulary and has also become a dominant theme in films, media and literature. There are many definitions of this term. A common and often-used definition is as follows:

The FBI defines a serial killer as one who murders three or more victims, with "cooling-off" periods between each... This sets them apart from mass murderers, who kill four or more people at the same time (or in a short period of time) in the same place, and spree killers, who murder in multiple locations and within a short period of time. Serial killers usually work alone, kill strangers and kill for the sake of killing (as opposed to crimes of passion).

Freeman)

Therefore, serial killers are a very different species of criminal when compared to other types of murderers and criminals in that they exhibit certain distinct tendencies and trait that will be examined in this paper.

The term "serial killer" was first used by the former director of the F.B.I., Robert Ressler, in the 1970's. He referred to the consistent patterns of murders that exhibited certain features as being characterized by "crimes in a series." (Freeman) the classification of this type of crime has led to a variety of theories and hypothesis about the causative factors behind serial killers. One of these theories is that serial killing is a result of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). This disorder is defied as; "... A psychological personality disorder characterized by lack of empathy or conscience, a difficulty controlling impulses and manipulative behaviors. This disorder is sometimes also referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy." (Port) Another characteristic that is particularly germane to this type of crime is that the serial killer is hard to identify as he or she has a "mask of normalcy" and appears outwardly unexceptional.

The focus on this type of crime is party due the sensational nature of these crimes but also to the fact that there are an increasing number of serial killings occurring in the United States. A FBI Behavioral Unit study estimates that eighty-five percent of the world's serial killers are in America. "At any given time 20-50 unidentified active serial killers are at work continually changing their targets and methods. " (Antisocial Personality Disorder) the following discussion will focus on three central characteristics that emerge from the study and analysis of this type of crime and criminal.

B. Second fact: serial killers choose strangers as their victims

Egger's definition of the serial killer (1990) emphasizes the important fact that usually the victim and the attacker are strangers. This refers to the significance of anonymity as a central element and characteristic of these crimes. This aspect is important as it is a part of the reason why these crimes are so difficult to understand and solve, especially in terms of the motivation behind the crimes. In other words, the serial killer does not kill as a result of 'normal' factors such as hate, revenge or any other emotion that is associated with a close relationship with another person.

The essentially anonymity of this type of crime and criminal has thus added to the problem of apprehending these criminals. As Egger (1990) notes,

Serial murder occurs when one or more individuals - in most known cases, male - commit a second murder and/or subsequent murder; is relationshipless (victim and attacker are strangers); occurs at a different time and has no connection to the initial (and subsequent) murder; and is frequently committed in a different geographic location. Further, the motive is generally not for material gain but is usually a compulsive act specifically for gratification of the murderer.

Egger et al. 4)

The last point that Egger makes adds depth to this important aspect. The fact that the serial killer kills anonymously means that the criminal usually has an inner need that he or she feels compelled to fulfill. This need is often linked to sexual and other forms of gratification that has usually little do to with the actual identity of the victim or victims. Therefore, anyone can be a target of the serial killer.

Another fact that can be related to the above is that the serial killer usually chooses victims that are weaker than him or her self. Furthermore, the issue of anonymity that is peculiar to this type of crime also leads to the fact that the victims are chosen not for any personality trait or individual aspect other than that they exhibit a "...certain stereotype which has symbolic meaning for the killer." (Shareef) an example would be Ted Bundy's choice of victim; he only killed women of college age who had long brown hair. (Shareef) This means in effect that the victim is not seen as an individual but only as 'type' that fits into the distorted fantasy world of the killer. This lack of individual recognition by the serial killer often makes them exceedingly sadistic and brutal. The killer does not see the victim as another human being but as an objectified type or symbol.

C. Third fact: A serial killer is motivated by both psychological and sociological factors.

One central characteristic of the serial killer which is extremely disconcerting is that the serial murderer cannot be easily understood by using conventional social and psychological theories of causation and motivation.. There often does not seem to be any clear logical reasoning behind the killings and they seem to be purposeless and random. Egger states that; "...unlike traditional mass murderers, who suddenly crack under pressure and kill everybody in sight, serial murderers kill and kill, often for years on end." (Egger et al. 7)

There has been much research and debate about the reasons as to why certain people become serial killers. The reasons as well as the underlying causative factors of this type of crime are extremely complex and there are a wide range of theories that have been applied to explain the causes of this type of crime

What recent research has found is that there are both psychological as well as sociological reasons for this type of crime. The common definition of the serial killer usually includes reference to the psychological makeup or profile of the killer. This is often seen as the most important aspect to focus on. However, it has also been realized that societal and cultural aspects can also influence the development of the serial killer.

Psychological causes that are related to the psyche of the serial killer include the aforementioned Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Genetic predisposition and makeup are also given as a formative developmental cause of this crime. However, psychological and genetic aspects are often inadequate to explain the development of the serial killer. While a convicted killer like Ted Bundy was subject to forms of psychological abuse as a child, yet one of the most notorious serial killers, Jeffery Dahmer, was "..., born to two parents who loved and wanted him. His child hood was a happy one. He loved animals, and did not have a bit of trouble. " However, "When he reached the sixth grade, there was a downfall, when he began to fear others. "(Creekmore)

This would suggest that there are other factors at play in the development of the killer, such as social influences and experiences. For example, one of the main features of this type of criminal is that the serial killer is an individual who does not conform to the common social norms and values in society. This in turn can be related to psychological aspects such as lack of restraint and internal control. Researchers such as Egger state that in most cases the serial killer is not mentally ill in any accepted medical sense but rather that they are sick in a different sense.

Though their crimes may be sickening, they are not sick in either a medical or a legal sense. Instead, the serial killer is typically a sociopathic personality who lacks internal control -- guilt or conscience -- to guide his own behavior, but has an excessive need to control and dominate others. He definitely knows right from wrong, definitely realizes he has committed a sinful act, but simply doesn't care about his human prey.

Egger et al. 5)

There has therefore been an increasing amount of research into the way that societal influences, in combination with various psychological predispositions, can be a central causative factor in the development of a serial killer. An example of a sociological theory that helps in the understanding of this crime is the theory of "anomie." This theory developed by Emile Durkheim examines the concept of 'normlessness' or a lack of meaning and direction in modern societies. The theory states that there is a link between loss of meaning and a breakdown of social cohesion and unity and the increase in violent crime. This theory could also help to explain the increase in the phenomenon of killing in developed countries like the United States. As thinkers like Colin Wilson states; "If man is deprived of meaning beyond his everyday routine, he becomes disgusted and bitter, and eventually violent. A society that provides no outlet for man's idealist passions is asking to be torn apart by violence" (Egger et al. 19)

In other words, the cause of this crime includes psychological as well as sociological components and the theory of anomie stresses that a loss of moral parameters and guidelines in a society may be a central aspect in the reasons for the increase of serial killing in the world.