Seriel Killers

8 Pages 2080 Words

Murders are committed everyday in this world. Many people constantly walk in fear that some person lurking in the shadows will jump out with a weapon and kill them. Even though people fear all types of killers, perhaps the most feared types of killers are serial in nature. These people kill repeatedly and often torture their victims before their murderous outburst. Although most serial killers share a few characteristics in common, they are all quite unique in one way or another.
Serial killers tend to be white heterosexual males in their twenties or thirties who are sexually dysfunctional and have low self esteem. Their rampages are methodical and part of an elaborate fantasy that builds to a climax at the moment of their murderous outburst. Serial killers generally murder strangers with a cooling off period between each crime. Serial killers tend to prey on women and children of their same race. Their victims of choice include prostitutes, drifters, and hitchhikers(“Serial Killer Part 3” 1).
Many serial killers enjoy cannibalism, necrophilia1, and keep trophy-like body parts as mementos of their crime. Occasionally, some return to the crime scenes or gravesites of their victims to fantasize about their deeds. Many like to insert themselves in the investigation of their crimes by leaving letters to taunt the police or placing pieces of evidence at the crime scene to try and baffle the authorities investigating(“Psychology of a Serial Killer” 3).
Female killers are usually a type of "black widow" who kills a succession of husbands, lovers, or other family members. They can also be nurses or other health officials who act as self-appointed "angels of death" murdering babies, the elderly, or the desperately ill in a misguided effort to relieve their suffering(“Serial Killer Part 3” 2).
Most serial killers grew up in violent households. As youngsters many enjoyed torturing animals and setting fires. Mos...