The Modus Operendi, or the habits under which Norris and Bittaker operated under come in the form of four different habits: (1) Abduction, (2) torture, (3) murder, and (4) disposal of the body. Even before Bittaker and Norris killed their first victim, they had already agreed that their method of abduction will come in the form of convincing teenage girls, preferably those who are hitchhiking, into their van voluntarily. If they did not comply, they would use the advantage of their Murder Mac, slide open the door, and force the teenager into the van. One can see this M.O. in play during all their successful abductions. Lucinda Shaffear, their first victim, refused to get into the van after being asked if she wanted a ride. Bittaker and Norris,
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For example, the main signature feature of Bittaker was to jam an ice pick through the ears of the victims and lodge the ice pick into their brain. However, because his victims would not die, Norris and Bittaker chose instead to incorporate strangulation into the equation after jamming the ice pick into their victim’s skull. But before this would happen, both Norris and Bittaker tortured their victims with hand held tools found in a toolbox. This signature feature did not manifest itself until after their first killing. The duo had used a wire coat hanger and vice grip pliers to tighten the wire around Sheaffear’s neck, but she was not tortured with hand held tools. The signature feature of using hand held tools to torture and or kill their victims started only after the duo’s first killing. From Hall’s torture to Ledford’s torture, Bittaker and Norris escalated the amount of torture and tools used as time went on and they were able to gain more confidence. From only using an ice pick during the torture and murder of Hall, to using vice grips to mutilate Leford’s body, Bittaker and Norris’ torture of their victims only become worse and more
For example, the main signature feature of Bittaker was to jam an ice pick through the ears of the victims and lodge the ice pick into their brain. However, because his victims would not die, Norris and Bittaker chose instead to incorporate strangulation into the equation after jamming the ice pick into their victim’s skull. But before this would happen, both Norris and Bittaker tortured their victims with hand held tools found in a toolbox. This signature feature did not manifest itself until after their first killing. The duo had used a wire coat hanger and vice grip pliers to tighten the wire around Sheaffear’s neck, but she was not tortured with hand held tools. The signature feature of using hand held tools to torture and or kill their victims started only after the duo’s first killing. From Hall’s torture to Ledford’s torture, Bittaker and Norris escalated the amount of torture and tools used as time went on and they were able to gain more confidence. From only using an ice pick during the torture and murder of Hall, to using vice grips to mutilate Leford’s body, Bittaker and Norris’ torture of their victims only become worse and more