Serial Killing Research Paper

The FBI defines serial killing as: “Three or more separate events, in three or more separate locations, with an emotional cooling off period between homicides.” The cooling off period could range from hours to minutes (Newton 12; Schechter). There are three major stresses in the definition of a serial killer: at least three murders, different murder locations, and there must be a cooling off period (Schechter). The time break is what differentiates between serial killing and mass murder. Until the 20th century, serial killers weren’t as big as they are now. It’s not because they didn’t exist, it’s because news reporters and media didn’t talk about them (Schechter). Throughout history there have been many serial killers; but what connects them is the definition …show more content…
All serial killers are different- most may be socially awkward, white male loners who are cut off from the world (Schechter). Not all are like that, though. Some of them may be very friendly and normal to their neighbors or friends. They don’t just develop psychotic problems in one day; it happens over time (Schechter). One percent of serial killers kill out of racism and revenge. Mercy and insanity cause four percent of serial killers to kill. Religion is five percent of serial killers’ motives, and six percent have varied motives. Fourteen percent of killers have greed as their motives and that jumps to forty-one percent for women killers. Sex is the biggest motive for killers. Sixty-nine percent are motivated to kill by their desire for sex according to Michael Newton. Many serial killers had rough childhoods, no matter if they were physically, mentally, or emotionally abused. According to Michael Newton, forty-three were physically or sexually abused from adult caretakers, forty-seven percent dropped out of school before 12th grade, and sixty-nine percent abused alcohol before the legal age.