What is a serial Killer?

1. What is a serial Killer?

2. A modern example… In 2011 there has been questions surrounding a string of murders in New York, USA. “Serial killer suspected in New York” http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/05/ny-serial-killer.html So could this be the work of a serial killer?

3. SERIAL KILLERS

4. Serial Killer- n. A person who attacks and kills victims one by one in a series of incidents.

5. Psychological Profile Common psychological disorders: Depression Schizophrenia Multiple personality disorder Evil? Potential Signs from childhood: Cruelty to animals. Obsession with fire. Bed wetting past the age of 5

6. Psychological Profile Seeking attention and/or power Dysfunctional backgrounds, often involving physically or sexually abusive relationships. Are either too dependant on parents or have scarred relationships with them. Loners. Have only minimal, superficial relationships with their peers. Have an inability to take criticism and often feel mistreated. Often depressed, suffer from mood disorders

7. Who are these people? Often young, in their 20’s and 30’s. Predominantly white males. Often partially or highly educated. Often married. Often Middle class. Are there any Women serial killers? Team killers?

8. Who are their vicitms? A wide range of victims are chosen. Selection is often triggered by something in their past. Men, women, children Men who kill women, Men who kill men Women who kill women, women who kill men Men and women who kill children.

9. Motives Power and control: To feel a sense of power and control over their victim. Usually sexually abuse their victim. Missionary –oriented Killers: Think they are doing society a favor by getting rid of a certain type of people. Visionary Killer: Compelled by delusions. Hedonistic: Kill just for the pleasure of killing.

10. John Wayne Gacy “Killer Clown” Early Years John Wayne Gacy was born into a middle class family. His father was an abusive alcoholic who physically abused his mother and verbally abused John. John suffered from epilepsy throughout his childhood and teenage years. John’s father was homophobic and often mocked John, calling him a “he/she” and accusing him of being weak and effeminate because of his bad health. Mr. Gacy said John would never amount to anything, which proved true when he was not able to graduate high school.

11. John Wayne Gacy “Killer Clown” Gacy proved to be an effective business man. He married co worker Marylynn Myers and became the head of a chain of fast food restaurants. Here, Gacy was accused of making sexual advances to his employees. He pleaded guilty to sodomy charges, but surprisingly was released after only 18 months. In prison he was greatly effected by the death of his father. Gacy then moved to Chicago, remarried, and started his life over. In his new neighborhood he was known as a family man, he threw parties and had neighborhood barbeques. He also enjoyed dressing up as “pogo the clown” and entertaining young children.

12. John Wayne Gacy “Killer Clown” The Killings Gacy started his own contracting business (PDM Contractors) in which he hired teenage boys. Gacy lured his new employees into his house, then handcuffed them. He would sexually abuse them muffling their screams with their socks or underwear. He buried their remains in a crawl space under his house.He poured concrete on some bodies to stop the smell, and began dumping them in the river once he ran out of room in his house.A man named Rignall, a victim who Gacy did not kill, claimed he was offered marijuana, then knocked unconscious by a chloroform towel. He was raped and awoke in a park the next morning.

13. John Wayne Gacy “Killer Clown” Arrest Neighbors noticed the foul stench that came from Gacy’s house. His wife also divorced him, as he began to have violent mood swings and admitted to her that he preferred young boys over her as sexual partners. A young boy named Robert Pierce went missing after he stated that a man offered him a contracting job. This led police to Gacy’s business, and after they did a background check on him, got a warrant to search Gacy’s home. Once police told Gacy they were going to dig under his house, he confessed to murdering over 30 people. The remains of many were found in his crawlspace, as well as in the nearby river. Forensic investigators used remains and dental records to try and identify the victims.

14. Trial & Prison John Wayne Gacy Gacy’s lawyers tried to plead insanity and claim that Gacy could not resist his impulses and urges to kill. However, it was proven that Gacy was sane and very intelligent. Gacy showed no remorse for his actions during the trial and was faced with the death sentence. Gacy’s relationship with his abusive father is known to be a possible motive for his many killings. Gacy painted many pictures of clowns in prison which became popular to buy. “Killer Clown”

15. A new twist There has been a lot of talk recently that there is a genetic explanation for killers/serial killers. monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA), also known as “The Warrior gene” has been linked to a high percentage of violent offenders. Everyone has it, two main types(High Activity and Low Activity) Usually associated with violence and aggression once provoked. What do you think?

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