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Serial Killer Research Paper

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Serial killers have captivated the minds of people for years. Everyone wants to know why Dahmer or Bundy claimed the lives of innocent people in the heinous crimes that they committed. Serial killers are complex creatures and a lot of things can contribute to why they come to kill people. Most people believe that all serial killers are dysfunctional, lonely people who keep to themselves and have little to no social interaction. However, a majority of killers appear to be your average citizen and are seemingly normal. Another common belief about serial killers is that they just travel everywhere, killing as many people as they can and that they cannot stop. In reality, not all, but most killers have a specific geographic location and a specific …show more content…
Criminologist James Reinhardt coined the phrase “chain killers” in 1961, taking the first step towards disentangling serial murder from other forms of multicide. The term “serial murder” surfaced in 1961, written in a variety of criminology books. Moreover, with the uprising of the term and newfound knowledge of these killers, determined people were inspired to dedicate their lives to catching these deadly monsters. Consequently, however, a number of “copycat killers” have also emerged from this serial killer phenomenon. Serial killers are clearly a known evil and should not inspire others, notwithstanding, copycat killers have sustained a higher popularity than you would expect. “Copycat killers add even more confusion to the mix. These are slayings committed in a manner that was the established M.O. of a previous murderer” (Lynch). M.O. stands for modus operandi, which means a specific method of doing something, especially one that is well established. We know serial killers clearly have a problem, whether it is a brain problem, a family problem or a societal problem. People do not take the lives of others without reason. There are many things that can motivate people to kill. For example, sex, revenge, sadism, politics, drugs, personal vendetta etc., are all motives for …show more content…
Ted Bundy also killed for sex. Anthony LaRette, however, was a sadist who killed for his enjoyment of seeing others in pain. Many killers have a specific victimology also. Many kill what we call a surrogate. A surrogate is someone that the killer may think is exactly like someone who hurt them. Or they believe it really is the same person that hurt them. Some killers murder fathers or men that resemble an absent or abusive father that they had growing up. Others kill women who bring memories of an ex lover that left or died. Others kill families because they had a horrible home life. The family dynamics of a developing serial killer can play a very important role in their development. Charles Manson’s mother was a 16-year-old prostitute when she had him. She constantly mentally abused him and reportedly gave Charles to a barmaid as a payment for beer. She was in and out of prison and Charles was left to fend for himself. Conversely, Jeffrey Dahmer grew up in a loving household with supportive parents and a little brother. It wasn’t until he was 18 that his parents divorced. Ted Bundy also grew up with a good home

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