Serial Killer Research Paper

To begin, serial killers are a cold calculated species of criminals who prey on easy targets. Although, on the decline, serial killers still pose a threat to communities. So, the question being is how can they be stopped or detected using law enforcement or forensic tactics? To stop a serial killer, one must know how to spot one, such as the image, traits, and patterns. If potential threats could be spotted and flagged by law enforcement, it could alleviate the pain of a family losing a loved one. While there are concerns about privacy, maybe a watchful eye from law enforcement could reduce violent crimes. Furthermore, often serial killers seem to share some of the same characteristics such as demographic, personality traits, and behavioral

Now when it comes to personality traits, serial killers usually are narcissistic, lack empathy for others, and have personality disorders. The infamous Jeffrey Dahmer actually had borderline personality disorder, schizotypal disorder, and psychotic disorder. This is the reason for his erratic behavior and the extreme violent nature of his crimes. Dahmer was not just killing his victims, but he was cutting them up and eating body parts, and these acts were erotic for him. Serial killers do not kill just to do it, but there is often a reason for it, such as a need for power, control, or sexual desires. Consequently, due to the nature and nurture factors serial killers have odd personalities leading to erratic behavior. Behavioral patterns are also linked to personality traits, as patterns are the consequence of mental disorders within serial killers. One thing to mention is that serial killers often have patterns when it comes to how they kill, sometimes treating it as a game or killing with the same

To continue, how can this violent crime be averted? Prevention is a difficult topic, as rights of privacy often find their way into the conversation. To be clear, it is impossible to completely stop a crime from happening, but it is possible to limit a crime if potential threats are looked at closely by law enforcement. While resources may be too slim to achieve a method such as this, it is an idea that needs to be further looked at. Another perspective of prevention is ensuring youth grow up knowing wrong from right and allowing early mental health support. When young it is crucial to have a healthy support system as this is what teaches the morals and principles that are carried into adulthood. A major focus needs to be put on the youth to ensure a healthy environment, creating a sense of trust which could allow openness about ongoing thoughts or emotions, leading to the awareness of these tendencies before adulthood which could potentially prevent a serial killer. In conclusion, serial killers are calculated killers, often having a preferred method of treating killing as a