Serial Killer Research Paper

Serial Killers: Common Characteristics and Behaviors

Jack the Ripper, the first notorious serial killer, has created a sensation that has never died out. Serial killers have since been promoted in television shows, movies, short stories, and novels (Methvin 2), being branded as a form of entertainment. Most people fail to realize serial murdering is a factual, growing, psychopathic craze. Potential psychotic murderers share characteristics that can be developed in early childhood and regrettably prosper through adulthood. Research has found and documented abnormalities in most repeating killers. In serial killers, formalities and recurring features are common in the physiological aspects of what defines a potential, future sadistic butcher.

The first known record of serial killings began when a group of women were suspected of poisoning men using deadly jewelry, intoxicating the rings placed on the men’s fingers (Woollaston 1). Ever since then, an estimated “thirty to fifty serial killers are active in the U.S. at any particular time” (Methvin 4). The United States alone has witnessed more than one hundred fifty documented cases of serial killers since the 1800s (Methvin 4). Unfortunately, instead of spreading awareness of the growing situation, serial killers are broadcasted and used for one’s pleasure. Entertainment is suggested to increase the rate of serial murders because of the constant display of butchering. When Dr. Liebert, a researcher on recurring killers, was asked about the multiplying issue of serial murdering he continued to blame the television inspired age; “We have children in emotionally deprived families whose main nurturance is the TV set. By the time they are 15 years old, they have seen 10,000 murders on TV. The victims do not suffer. Murder is like going down to the store and getting a Popsicle" (Berger 2). Through Dr. Liebert’s words, it can be suggested that a person’s youth can trigger recurring traits and increase production of a possible serial

Even though the motivation is sometimes sex-oriented, the reasoning can vary from anger to thrill. However, financial gain should also be taken in consideration when trying to find a murderer. Butchering may be completed in order to purchase a car, as displayed in Paul Reid. Mr. Reid was a psychopathic killer who exterminated a total of seven people during three different restaurant robberies. The seven were killed so Reid could obtain cash to buy an automobile (Morton 4). Mr. Reid was not interested in sexual intercourse, but the opportunity for a new