Overview
This lecture examines notable American serial killers, their backgrounds, psychological traits, and the factors considered in profiling them.
Notorious Serial Killers
- John Wayne Gacy exemplified the "killer clown" persona, hiding murderous intent behind an ordinary facade.
- Richard Ramirez, known as the "Night Stalker," grew up in a poor El Paso neighborhood and displayed early signs of disturbing behavior.
- Jeffrey Dahmer seemed unremarkable but committed gruesome murders, including cannibalism and keeping body parts as mementos.
- Dr. H. H. Holmes created a "Castle of Death" in Chicago for murdering victims at the turn of the century.
- The "Vampire of Brooklyn" kept entire cadavers as trophies of his crimes.
Psychological Traits and Upbringing
- Many serial killers exhibited cruelty to animals during childhood, a possible early sign of future violence.
- Not all individuals who harm animals become serial killers; other unknown factors contribute.
- Experts debate whether genetics or upbringing contributes more to the development of serial killers.
Disposal Methods and Post-Crime Behavior
- Killers use various methods to dispose of bodies, such as hiding or dumping victims.
- Some killers are aroused by lifeless bodies or keep corpses as reminders of their acts.
Profiling and Expert Insights
- Modern profiling looks at both genetics and environment in understanding serial killers.
- Experts like Jack Levin, Steven Egger, and Frederic Reamer have interviewed and studied killers for insight into their motives.
- Some serial killers may have murdered more people than officially recorded.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- The cruelty of these crimes raises debates about punishment, including the ethics of the death penalty.
- Many serial killers are diagnosed with mental disorders such as psychopathy and dissociative disorders.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Profiling — the practice of analyzing a criminal's behavior to predict characteristics and motives.
- Psychopath — a person with a personality disorder marked by lack of empathy and remorse.
- Dissociative disorder — a mental disorder involving disruptions or breakdowns of memory, awareness, or identity.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review psychological terms: psychopathy, dissociative disorder.
- Reflect on ethical arguments for and against the death penalty for serial killers.