A leader in the field of understanding and profiling serial killers has been FBI Agent, retired, John Douglas. He has learned that serial killers all leave signs at their crime scenes and that their behavior reflects their personality. The method chosen to kill, the position of the body, the type of victim, and the entire scene all speak out to the pro-filer, just as symptoms of a disease speak to a doctor. Douglas learned how to pinpoint the personality and traits of a specific murderer by using and understanding this information. He became incredibly accurate.

Psychiatrists, along with the FBI crime analysts have taken the lead in getting into the minds of serial killers. Psychiatrist Shervert Frazier interviewed 42 murderers, including seven serial killers that had killed 3 to 13 victims each.

Serial killers were once considered a rarity. Even though reports in Europe go back as far as the fifteenth century, only a few were written about prior to the mid twentieth century. One of the most widely written about was Jack the Ripper, who claimed only 5 victims in a three-month period. This would put him in the bottom of the class by to-day's standards. During the past twenty years, serial killings have become more frequent. We have even seen up to a half dozen of their cases on the news simultaneously. Cases such as San Francisco's Zodiac

Serial killers are a totally different and more dangerous threat to society. They may not kill many people at one time, but they may kill for many years without being detected. They are able to kill again and again without being caught because they are careful in their choices of victims. They typically pick victims who are vulnerable and un-able to defend themselves such as children, the elderly or women. They also pick victims who will not be missed by society, such as migrant workers, prostitutes, hitchhikers or homosexuals. They may even pick victims based on specifics such as physical build or hairstyle.

or any other reason than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The FBI became interested in interviewing imprisoned serial killers after two psychiatrists, James A. Brussel and David G. Hubbard, showed the crime-solving advantages of understanding the behavior patterns of compulsive criminals. Brussel had amazed the law enforcement world with his profile of

Douglas and he described their suspect specifically. He described a suspect in his 40's, a well-respected member of the community, a man who stuttered, a former shoplifter and arsonist, and a person of above average intelligence. This profile alerted the police that Hansen was most likely their man. They immediately put him under 24-hour surveillance and used the profile as behavioral evidence to justify a search of Hansen's home. This search gave them the evidence they needed to put Hansen away permanently. The evidence found included the Mini 14 rifle used in many of the killings, personal belongings of some of the victims, and an aviation map marked with Xs where some victims were found. Hansen assisted the police with finding the bodies of his missing victims and confessed to the murder of 17 women and the rape of more than 30. The authorities believe he killed many more. They also believe he flew his victims out into remote areas of Alaska, where he raped them and turne!

Some topics in this essay:
Edmund Kemper, Serial Killers, Peninsula Anchorage, John Douglas, Texas Michigan, Dr Morrison, McDonald Triad, Eugene Watts, George Metesky, Joel Roberts, serial killers, serial killer, believe serial killers, kill people, david berkowitz, set fires, son sam, believe serial, law enforcement, mcdonald triad, robert hansen, cent set fires, alaska's robert hansen, david berkowitz set,