Inside the minds of serial killers – after the first attempt at murder, there will be a second, a third… and many more. So what drives them to commit these crimes?
Who Can Be Serial Killers?
There are many reasons behind serial murder
Over the years, the world has seen countless bloodthirsty maniacs. These are individuals who have blood on their hands from two, three, or even more victims. Each serial killer typically has specific targets and their own distinctive methods of execution.
It is commonly believed that male serial killers are more proficient than female ones due to better physical and mental capabilities. However, research by scientists has proven the opposite; female killers can handle various types of trauma and are often better at covering their tracks than men. They do not adhere to a particular method of attack, constantly changing and taking their “trophies” with them. As a result, it is very difficult for the police to catch these individuals.
In the first century AD, the first recorded female serial killer was a woman named Locusta in Galt. She poisoned many people, including the Roman Emperor Claudius. After being caught, she was immediately executed by Galba. However, the first murderer to make headlines was Dr. H.H. Holmes. He had unique methods of torturing his victims. After killing someone, he would claim their life insurance and sell their bodies to medical schools. Before being sentenced in 1896, he managed to kill over 200 people.
Dr. H.H. Holmes – The infamous serial killer.
What Motivates Someone to Become a Serial Killer?
According to J. Oliver Conroy from The Guardian: “Many serial killers are survivors of childhood trauma such as physical or sexual abuse, dysfunctional family dynamics, emotional detachment, or lack of parental figures. Trauma is the recurring theme in the biographies of most killers.” Thus, it can be seen that people generally believe that these deranged killers are shaped by their life experiences rather than being born that way.
The human brain is a unique organ; it generates feelings and emotions but cannot process trauma effectively. A person suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is likely to become violent towards others, even towards themselves.
On the other hand, the FBI identifies several different types of motivations that can lead to someone becoming a serial killer:
- Anger: Psychopathic killers often display antisocial behavior, exhibiting rage or hostility towards those they deem deserving of death.
- Profit: These are individuals who benefit from each crime they commit. A notable example of this type is the “Black Widow.”
- Ideology: These killers belong to terrorist groups, guided by specific motives for each murder.
- Excitement: Some kill to gain power and control over their victims, doing so for pleasure; others kill to satisfy sexual desires.
- Mental Disorders: This is similar to the research by J. Oliver Conroy, involving individuals who experience severe visual hallucinations and delusions, randomly selecting victims based on “a voice urging them in their head.”
Additionally, there are many types of crimes with different motivations, or simply, they are just “hunting,” killing without reason.
