Joe Ball, David Berkowitz, Edmund Kemper, Ted Bundy and Dennis Rader. What do these names have in common? Joe Ball is a Texan often referred to as “The Alligator Man”, and is suspected of murdering over 20 women in the early 20th century. Berkowitz is the infamous Son of Sam, is infamously known for killing more than eight victims in a single summer. Edmund Kemper, or the Co-Ed Killer started murdering when he turned 15 years old. Dennis Rader murdered ten people in Kansas in a span of 17 years. These men are some of the most prolific serial killers in history. What makes these monsters different from us? What makes a serial killer? This question has plagued psychologists for centuries.
Serial murders have augmented over the past 30 years …show more content…
The issue of serial killing is increasing at an alarming rate and research has shown that the United States alone has taken up about 85% of the world 's serial killers. The term serial killer is unique and is understood to come in various forms. The concept of a serial killer has captivated the minds of Americans for centuries. Often the serial killer has been romanticized in movies such as Zodiac and The Silence of the Lambs. Serial killers are defined by the FBI as someone who has three or more resumes on his or her resume, occupied by periods of dormancy. This definition presents an important distinction between mass murderers, spree killers and serial killers. Mass murderers are grouped as those who will kill four or more in one instance. A spree killer will murder in a short amount of time, as indicated by their name, in various spread out locations. Serial killers are different as they work alone most of the time, and kill for no apparent reason. The FBI has approximated that there have been over 400 serial killers in the United States in the past century, with potentially more than 4000 victims. An alarming statistic is that many project more than 200 active serial killers among us …show more content…
Joe Ball was officially convicted on the murder of 2 women, but is believed to be responsible for upto 20 more. After serving in World War I, Ball built a pond with 5 alligators(hence his nickname of the Alligator Man). He used these alligators to feed his victims to. He believed that this way, he was effectively beating the system, using the law against itself. Ball was under the misconception that he could not be charged with murder if the police did not find a body. In terms of psychological red flags, there isn’t much that can be pointed from documentation. Not much is known about Joe Ball’s mental state of mind. However, psychopathy and an alarming lack of emotion are evident from his
Serial murders have augmented over the past 30 years …show more content…
The issue of serial killing is increasing at an alarming rate and research has shown that the United States alone has taken up about 85% of the world 's serial killers. The term serial killer is unique and is understood to come in various forms. The concept of a serial killer has captivated the minds of Americans for centuries. Often the serial killer has been romanticized in movies such as Zodiac and The Silence of the Lambs. Serial killers are defined by the FBI as someone who has three or more resumes on his or her resume, occupied by periods of dormancy. This definition presents an important distinction between mass murderers, spree killers and serial killers. Mass murderers are grouped as those who will kill four or more in one instance. A spree killer will murder in a short amount of time, as indicated by their name, in various spread out locations. Serial killers are different as they work alone most of the time, and kill for no apparent reason. The FBI has approximated that there have been over 400 serial killers in the United States in the past century, with potentially more than 4000 victims. An alarming statistic is that many project more than 200 active serial killers among us …show more content…
Joe Ball was officially convicted on the murder of 2 women, but is believed to be responsible for upto 20 more. After serving in World War I, Ball built a pond with 5 alligators(hence his nickname of the Alligator Man). He used these alligators to feed his victims to. He believed that this way, he was effectively beating the system, using the law against itself. Ball was under the misconception that he could not be charged with murder if the police did not find a body. In terms of psychological red flags, there isn’t much that can be pointed from documentation. Not much is known about Joe Ball’s mental state of mind. However, psychopathy and an alarming lack of emotion are evident from his