Variety Of Motives A Serial Killer example essay topic

The Serial Killer Simply put, a serial killer is a person who kills a number of people over a period of time. The true definition, however, has far greater implication. What is generally known of a serial killer - the portrait created by the media and law enforcement agencies, fails to encompass all varieties of serial killings. Many offenders are excluded as they are not be classified as "sinister, blood thirsty monsters". However, quintessentially, serial killers should include anybody, irrespective of gender or age, who kill over time.

It is agreed that it is a minimum of 3 or 4 victims that brings a murderer into the "serial" category. They may be described as neurotic because when kill a pattern seems to emerge. The pattern may revolve around the victim, the motive, or the method of killing. Some serial killers may make special effort, for example a change in style or location, to evade recognition. The murders may go on for a sustained period, until the killer is caught, is killed, or simply stops killing. There may be a break between kills, probably where the killer plans his / her next move or simply cools off.

Types of Serial Killers Many have tried to thoroughly classify serial killers, yet none have been able to bring about distinct categories. The characteristics seem to overlap, making it complex to achieve distinctive classification. The classification presented herein below might help gather a broader perspective of the various types of serial killers. Let's first identify a variety of motives a serial killer may have. The visionary - this type of killer usually suffers from psychosis and schizophrenia; will hallucinate, i.e. have visions or voices instructing him to carry out these acts. The missionary - clearing the society of unnecessary human occupancy considering it his responsibility to do so.

The hedonist - deriving pleasure from the act of killing. The lust killer - killing for sexual indulgence; usually involves sadist activities. The thrill seeker - kills for the adrenaline rush; thrill seekers perform this heinous act to attain new heightening experiences. The gain seeker - kills for personal gain. The motive may not entirely be monetary gain. This type of serial killers are the fewest of them all.

Power hungry - these individuals have the desire to take control of the life and death of another. The henchmen - these individuals are under the influence of another, possibly acting in accordance with instructions. Further classification can be in terms of organized and disorganized. The organized serial killer knows what he is doing. He plans the scenario well, before it can actually be implemented. He will individualize the victim; will be well equipped with tools to carry out his plans; and will 'toy' with the victim.

The organized killer will evade authorities as he will employ his cumulative faculties for just that. The disorganized killer, on the other hand, decides to kill, possibly, moments before the action. Killer is usually not involved with the victim before the crime, yet might extend the act to severe brutality after the murder (mutilation, etc.) Another perspective to serial killers is their behavior. This category encompasses the "quiet killers" and the violent ones. The quiet kind kill using, for example, poisons to dispose of their victims and are not associated with the sexual attacks, tortures, and violence before finishing off the victim. This category generally contains women.

The violent kind, however, resorts to all sorts of violent acts with the purpose of recreation. Conclusion Serial killers have always brought fear to the hearts of the masses. Vicious they may be, but they also prove to be interesting, probably due to their extraordinary nature. The fascinating fact, however, is how the most notorious of serial killers tend to appear the most casual and innocent.