What makes a serial killer?

PITX5

That is a very good question. Some very well meaning people will tell you one excuse or another, poor childhood, brain injury ect, but that simply does not hold true. They come from various social backgrounds and brain injury is very seldom a contributing factor. As psychology is at best an inexact science I shy away from the boilerplate excuses it offers to explain these individuals as well. If you ever have to deal with one of these individuals on a personal level, may God forbid, you will see what I mean.

Sadly, during the course of my career I have had dealings with several with Richard Ramirez (The night stalker) being one of far to many. The one thing that they all seemed to have in common was a complete lack of conscience. They do not view things in terms of right or wrong as would most normal humans. Sociopaths is a good term, but it lacks a certain descriptive quality. If you ever spoke with one of them or looked into their eyes you would understand what I mean. My descriptive skills are not sufficient to describe it adequately. Perhaps evil incarnate comes as close as any other description. As to what makes them, I wish I knew so we could find a cure or eliminate them immediately upon discovery like a rabid animal. I take that back, I would have more respect for the animal as it can not control what it does. A serial killer can, he or she simply chooses not to. A very frightening thought indeed. Unfortunately, I have been forced to deal with them after the fact rather than before.

Î²readâŠ†â„œumbsâ„¢

I was told once that most serial killers have three common traits:

1. They were abused as children.
2. They abuse small animals (harm them in any way).
3. They are or at least were at some point in their lives pyromaniacs (individuals whom have an obsession with fire).

I do not know how true those traits are, but that's what I know.

I personally believe that serial killers are born with a mental problem.

volleyballchick

If you are asking how a serial killer is determined, it is:

1. A specific pattern to the killing
2. A "type" of victim
3. A connection of some sort to each of the killings
4. A professional making the call that there is a "serial killer" on the loose.

But I do like the first answer. They get the gold star for the day!!

Judith S

They are deranged people who grew up in an abusive home.
They hate everything and everyone. No social life. They do their best everyday to make others as miserable as they are. They hide and lie and destroy humans and animals. The part of the brains that controls empathy and emotions is damage.They hurt and kill with no remorse
Usually they don`t hold down jobs or are responsible. They commit
crimes and love to read about it. I can keep going but I think you get the picture.

In the end Conservatives win

a serial killer is a person who kills more than 3 people in a span of a period of time.
a spree killer is someone who kills people in a short amount of time.
a serial killer is normally a person who has been abused or neglected as a child and starts buy normally abusing animals and than moves up to humans as they get older.It is only my opinion but I think these people find serial killing as a way of having control not only over there life but also that person who they feel has abused or neglected them in the past.They have also found that serial killers have had some sort of brain injury in the past that could account for some of there acts as a normal person would find what they do repulsive and could not do such things.

Carl Gee

I haven't a clue. A warped twisted mind I suppose. Maybe demonic oppression or even possession. Nobody knows for sure.

REB

When they have a certain trade mark that they do or leave behind. There are usually some real deep issues in a person's life to make them do these crimes repeatedly, I just pray they get caught quickly and hopefully there is hope for them.

Jesse B

Born with a wire loose in their brain. Some experts say a childs enviornment has something to do with it but for every child born into poverty with a bossy single parent who becomes a serial killer, there are millions who adjust just fine.

My vote is the person is just born with a screw loose.

Mind Hunter is a great book by a former FBI profiler if your interested in that stuff.

â™¥STREAKERâ™¥Â©â„—â€

Leo took my answer. (But that should be cereal killer)

It's someone that has killed 3 or more people the same way (using the same techniques for each crime)