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Serial Killers

Serial Killers. Not CEREAL KILLERS…. What do you know about Serial Killers in General?. Name some serial killers that you have heard of. Make a list of the things you know to be true about all or most serial killers. How do they look? What is their age/sex? What do they do for a living?

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Serial Killers

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  1. Serial Killers Not CEREAL KILLERS…

  2. What do you know about Serial Killers in General? • Name some serial killers that you have heard of. • Make a list of the things you know to be true about all or most serial killers. • How do they look? • What is their age/sex? • What do they do for a living? • Are they sociable? • Do they have “normal” lives? • What motivates them to kill? • Can they stop killing?

  3. Not a new phenomenon Around since ancient times Rare: Less than 1% of murders Serial Killers

  4. Jack The Ripper • Late 19th century • Whitechapel, London • Aaron Kosminski or Robert Mann?

  5. Jack the Ripper Dear Boss I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the right track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits. I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled. Grand work the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now. I love my work and want to start again. You will soon hear of me with my funny little games. I saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with but it went thick like glue and I cant use it. Red ink is fit enough I hope ha. ha. The next job I do I shall clip the ladys ears off and send to the police officers just for jolly wouldn’t you. Keep this letter back till I do a bit more work, then give it out straight. My knife’s so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get a chance. Good luck. Yours truly Jack the Ripper

  6. Serial Murder Symposium • Created by Behavioral Analysis Unit-2 (BAU-2) of National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) • Focus on serial, mass, and other murders; sexual assaults; kidnappings; and other criminal acts targeting adult victims • Expertise in serial murder, provide operational assistance, conduct research, and provide training on issues related to serial murder

  7. Hollywood and the “Talking Heads Phenomenon” • Hollywood story lines create heightened interest rather than focusing on facts • Self-proclaimed serial killer experts are given credibility by the media • These fallacies and misinformation leads to inaccurate, fictional portrayals of serial killers creating a series of myths and misconceptions

  8. Myth: Serial killers are all dysfunctional loners • Most hide within plain sight • Have families, homes, gainfully employed, blend in well and can be overlooked by police • Robert Yates • 17 prostitutes in Spokane, WA • Decorated US Army National Guard helicopter pilot • Green River Killer – Gary Ridgeway • 48 women in Seattle, WA • Religious, Married three times • BTK killer – Dennis Rader • 10 victims, Wichita, KS • US Air Force, married with kids, Boy Scout leader, president of church

  9. Myth: Serial killers are all white males • Racial diversity of serial killers mirrors that of the overall U.S. population

  10. Myth: Serial killers are only motivated by sex • Sex is not the only motivator • Others include: anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention seeking

  11. Myth: All serial murderers travel and operate interstate • Most serial killers have defined geographical areas • Killings are conducted within comfort zones with a definitive anchor point (home, employment, relative's residence) • Moving outside the comfort zone is usually to avoid detection or when they become confident in their experience • Homeless transients • Itinerant individuals • Employment (i.e. truck drivers, military)

  12. Myth: Serial killers cannot stop killing • Some things that cause serial killers to stop killing are: • increased participation in family activities, sexual substitution, and other diversions

  13. Myth: All Serial killers are insane or are evil geniuses • Often suffer from a variety of personality disorders: • Psychopathy • Anti-social personality • Most, however, are not adjudicated as insane under the law • Media/“talking heads” have made serial killers out to be geniuses that stump the police at every turn (but they range in intelligence)

  14. Myth: Serial killers want to get caught Practice makes perfect! • Serial killers gain experience and confidence with each new kill – make fewer mistakes with time • Must select, target, approach, control, and dispose of their victims with incredible planning • Begin to feel invincible and get sloppy when they begin to believe they CAN'T get caught!

  15. Serial Murder • Serial Killing vs. Killing Spree vs. Mass Murder • Factors to consider: • Number of victims • Motive • Timing of events/cooling off period • Definition: The unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events

  16. Causality of Serial Killer • Biological, social, psychological and environmental factors in causality • Failure to develop adequate coping mechanisms results in violent behavior • Neglect and abuse early in childhood leading to future violence • Substance abuse • Severe head injuries

  17. Psychopathy and Serial Killers • Personality disorder manifested in people who use a mixture of charm, manipulation, intimidation, and occasionally violence to control others, in order to satisfy their own selfish needs • Sensation seeking, a lack of remorse or guilt, impulsivity, the need for control, and predatory behavior • interpersonal traits include glibness, superficial charm, a grandiose sense of self-worth, pathological lying, and the manipulation of others • Not all violent offenders are psychopaths and not all psychopaths are violent offenders

  18. Psychopath Interview: Talking the Talk • Not sensitive to altruistic interview themes (i.e. sympathy for victims, remorse/guilt) • Must exploit personality traits (i.e. inherent narcissism, selfishness, and vanity) • Past successful interviews of psychopathic serial killers focused on praising their intelligence, cleverness, and skill in evading capture

  19. What is my motivation? • Normally in a murder investigation, suspects are those who have had relationships with the victims • In serial murders, this is mostly NOT the case. Serial murderers generally are not acquainted with their victims nor are they involved in consensual relationships with them • Motive is difficult to discern; may evolve • May be multiple motives • Motive may not be helpful in identifying killer • Generally they kill because they want to unless they are victims of severe mental illness

  20. Investigative Issues and Best Practices • Identification of a Serial Murder Series • Leadership – establish lead investigator • Task Force Organization – one lead agency (many jurisdict.) • Resource Augmentation – less is more • Communication – daily investigator briefings, operational face-to-faces, ViCAP reports included in database • Data Management – put reports in database ASAP; keep “murder book”, all rough notes, & share reports with agencies/prosecutors • Analytical Tools – timelines, case similarities, filter info, interview and prosecution strategies, profiling, behavior analysis • Mes/Coroners – thorough/joint autopsies, missing person's database, submit remains to FBI

  21. Investigative Issues and Best Practices • Administrative Issues – 50-yr minimum for files, keep unsolved till closed, electronic records, long-term evidence storage, submit reports to ViCAP • Resources and Finances – contingency plans for resources (FDP) • Training – dependent upon experience and ability; newbies need training and exposure! • Officer Assistance Programs – Debriefings, counseling, mental health evaluations, time off

  22. Forensic Issues in Serial Murder Cases • Advances in technology, innovations in processing and collecting of evidence has allowed for greater success in recovery and analysis of evidence • DNA analysis is becoming more sensitive and discriminating • Can compare against a database of known offenders and other unsolved crimes, families of missing persons, etc. • CODIS – National automated DNA information processing and telecommunications system developed to link DNA evidence in criminal cases between jurisdictions • National, State and Local Levels (may not automatically search State and Local against the National database!)

  23. Other Databases • AFIS – Fingerprint database • NIBIN – projectile/firing information database (bullets and cartridges)

  24. Suggestions for Resolving Issues: • Utilize same crime scene personnel to promote consistency • Prevent cross-contamination (separate personnel collects crime scene vs. suspect/known samples) • Standardize documentation • Take aerial photographs as well as ancillary scenes • Ideally, evidence should be analyzed by a single certified crime lab by professionals; otherwise communication is paramount • Prioritize so there is quick turnaround on tests • Prioritize testing based on potential investigative value • Forensic testimony should be limited to what is needed for prosecution, utilizing charts, photos and audiovisual aids

  25. Prosecution • Prosecution primarily plays an ADVISORY role • Can assist in critical decisions early on which can impact court admissibility of evidence and testimony • Must maintain legal integrity in investigation • Prosecutor involvement is especially important when dealing with multiple jurisdictions • Expert witnesses can also provide invaluable testimony to support the case

  26. Media Concerns • Law enforcement-media relationship not always ideal • Design and implement an effective media plan • Communication with the media is counterproductive – serial murderer is the only one who benefits; may aid in avoiding detection • Respectful, cooperative relationship will benefit both • Suggestions: • Identify a spokesperson with limited access to sensitive case facts • Rehearse all verbal statements so they coincide with written • Press releases should have specific objectives, but remain positive • Squelch the talking heads! • Demand corrections or retractions of erroneous information

  27. Recap of Serial Killers • Have more than 2 victims • Have a “cooling off” period in between • Typically: • Serial Killers work alone • Kill strangers • Kill for the sake of killing

  28. Holmes Classification of a Serial Killer 1. Act-focused – KILL QUICKLY a. Visionary – “the voices told me to do it” b. Missionary – “trying to rid the world of a type of individual” 2. Process-focused – KILL SLOWLY, METHODICALLY a. Hedonists i. Lust – Derive sexual pleasure from killing ii. Thrill – Get a rush from the kill iii. Gain – Kill because they will profit from the death b. Power Seekers – Want to “play God”

  29. Signs at the Crime Scene no yes no no no yes no no no yes no no no yes no no no no yes yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes no no no yes yes no no no yes no yes yes yes no yes yes yes

  30. Social Behavior Classification Organized & Non-Social Disorganized & Social

  31. Silence of the Lambs

  32. Red Dragon

  33. SE7EN

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