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,
Power hungry – these individuals have the desire to take control of the life and death of another.
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.
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