SERIAL KILLERS Essays (1333 words) - Crime, Death, Murder

SERIAL KILLERS A serial killer is a person who murders three or more people one at the time in a relatively short interval , usually in service of abnormal psychological gratification, with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant break between them. Serial murder is neither a new phenomenon, nor is it uniquely American. Dating back to ancient times, serial murderers have been chronicled around the world. In 19th century Europe, Dr. Richard von Krafft-Ebing conducted some of the first documented research on violent, sexual offenders and the crimes they committed. Best known for his 1886 textbook Psychopathia Sexualis , Dr. Kraft- Ebing described numerous case studies of sexual homicide, serial murder, and other areas of sexual proclivity. Is a relatively rare event, estimated to comprise less than one percent of all murders committed in any given year. However, there is a macabre interest in the topic that far exceeds its scope and has generated countless articles, books, and movies. This broad-based public fascination began in the late 1880s, after a series of unsolved prostitute murders occurred in the Whitechapel area of London. These murders were committed by an unknown individual who named himself "Jack the Ripper" and sent letters to the police claiming to be the killer . These murders and "Jack the Ripper" have become synonymous with serial murder. In the 1970s and 1980s serial murder cases such as the Green River Killer, Ted Bundy, and BTK sparked a renewed public interest in serial murder, which blossomed in the 1990s after the release of films such as Silence of the Lambs. Much of the general public's knowledge concerning serial murder is a product of Hollywood productions. Story lines are created to heighten the interest of audiences, rather than to accurately portray serial murder. By focusing on the atrocities inflicted on victims by "deranged" offenders, the public is captivated by the criminals and their crimes. Serial killing is not the same as mass murdering, nor is it spree killing. However, cases of extended bouts of sequential killings over periods of weeks or months with no apparent "cooling off period" or "return to normalcy" have caused some experts to suggest a hybrid category of "spree-serial killer". Here we also have characteristics that makes them a serial killers like: Despite their intelligence, they do poorly in school, have spotty employment records, and generally end up as unskilled workers. There is a long history of psychiatric problems, criminal behavior, and alcoholism in their families. They have fantasies that are often about control and violation, hurting themselves. Growing up lonely and isolated. They display a precocious and abiding interest in deviant sexuality and are obsessed with fetishism, voyeurism, and violent pornography. Serial killers are some of the most violent criminals in existence today. Their methods are brutal and sadistic, their victims either a carefully formulated choice or a random selection, and their ability to evade capture can be great or little. Motivations involved in serial killings are fears of rejection, power, and perfection. Serial killers tend to be insecure, and irrationally scared of rejection. He will try to avoid developing a painful relationship with his object of desire and is terrified of being abandoned, humiliated, or exposed. Many killers often have sex - the ultimate form of intimacy - with their victims, and often with the corpse. That way, the possibility of rejection is null. Serial killers also enjoy prolonging the suffering of their victims as it gives them a sense of power over the victim. They get to decide whether, and how, the victim will live or die. Serial killers must continuously kill simply because they are addicted to the feelings they get when they do. They also rationalize every aspect and detail of their behavior so there is no reason in their head as to why they should stop. They know what they're doing, the consequences of their actions, and how to avoid getting caught. Most serial killers, and psychopaths in general, are "consummate chameleons" who are able to hide their rage and true intentions behind a charismatic, civilized facade called the "mask of sanity". Most serial killers are highly charming and persuasive, but it is only a