by Elizabeth Hall
Upon
exploring the motives of male serial killers, one finds that while they all
differ in many ways, most share certain similarities such as sadism, fantasy
and a compulsion to kill (Schlesinger, 2000).
Torture, sex and extreme violence seem to be present in almost all
cases, leading researchers to question whether they murder because of nature or
nurture. In spite of the growing
interest in the subject of serial murder, there is still much speculation
whether the causality of this phenomenon is due the natural genetics of the
killer or by the lack of growing up in a functional family environment. It is widely believed amongst researchers
that during the developmental and teenage years of sexual serial killers, they
spend much of their time being isolated by their peers and left unable to
obtain a normal female companionship, which results in a building up of
enormous antipathy for the society that they feel rejected by. Many of those we consider authorities on the
subject of serial murder believe that the sexual drive of the offender plays a
large role in the commission of crimes like these (Douglas & Olshaker,
1999). During these critical years when
the child is developing sexually, they tend to cope with the social isolation
by escaping into fantasy worlds in which they are in total control of others. It is in this fantasy world that sex and
violence merge.
It is also common knowledge among researchers
that many of these predators have suffered some form of traumatic childhood
ordeal, whether that is abuse, physical trauma or neglect (Giannangelo, 1996). All human behavior is a result of their
hereditary factors, backgrounds (including the way they were nurtured or not)
and the individual preferences they choose while undergoing their developmental
years (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2005).
By the time they meet the definition of a serial killer and come into
the light of law enforcement, they have already killed three people on three
different occasions (Brown, 2003). By
then it is thought to be too late to try to rehabilitate this type of offender. In order to reduce crimes and recidivism of
this brutal nature, science must move forward yet again and identify a method
to reach these offenders before they offend for the first time.
Inevitably, when we find one of these violent
criminals in our midst, the questions asked by the public, the media and officials
remain the same; how does someone get to this place in his life; how can
someone commit these atrocities without any remorse? According to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), the answer to these questions and others like them rest in
the individual growth of the perpetrator from their birth to the time they
reach adult maturity (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2005). In light of this distinction, it seems that
the true facilitators of a serial killer must lie somewhere in between nature
and nurture with more of an emphasis on nurture. This is because during their
developmental years, a lack of social skills leaves them with an inability to
cope and hardened emotional reactions, along with distorted views on human
relationships and sex.
Defining
Serial Murder
The
general consensus for the definition of a serial killer says that they must
kill at least three victims during separate attacks, where there has been a
cooling off period between the incidents.
This differentiates them from mass murderers who kill multiple people at
one location in a single attack and spree killers who kill multiple people at
multiple locations with no cooling off period.
The serial killer has been fantasizing about committing these crimes
long before he commits the first kill.
Mass murderers and spree killers are usually triggered by an event in
their lives that sets the pattern in motion, such as the loss of a job or a
loved one. The fantasies serial killers
have usually involve sex and rage, which intertwine and escalate in the
offender’s mind, becoming inseparable, and leading to the merge of fantasy with
reality. (Brown, 2003)
Developmental
Years of a Serial Killer – The Formative Years
When
examining the developmental years of most serial killers, whether extremely
evident or deeply rooted in secret, there is always something not quite right
about the relationships with the people closest to them. This includes uncles, aunts, parents,
coaches, clergymen, siblings, and friends, among others. The process of making a serial murderer often
starts with a genetic predisposition to violence, prenatal exposure to drugs
and or alcohol, or some kind of head trauma (Giannangelo, 1996). Not all of this is evident unless one goes
digging into their past, this is because while some information can be found in
their personal history, other issues such as prenatal exposure to drugs and
alcohol can only be discovered by delving into their parental backgrounds. Issues such as a genetic predisposition to
violence will only come to light with further research and extensive testing.
Their formative years are rife with negative
parenting, emotional, sexual, or physical abuse, and rage building up inside of
them (Schlesinger, 2000). Again, this
abuse may be evident or not, depending on the type of abuse endured. No one may be aware that Uncle Johnny
molested little Jimmy or Daddy beat his children and spouse behind closed doors
and offenders like these do not readily admit these sorts of things.
The
problems these children have do not receive proper attention and counseling;
consequently, they develop social issues due to a general mistrust of others, a
lack of self worth, and feelings of rejection (Giannangelo, 1996). This is not inconceivable considering that
they may have either a genetic predisposition to violence, or some kind of head
trauma along with physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Rationally, these factors are enough to drive
anyone into isolation, but most people have someone they can confide in to keep
them on an even keel. Budding serial
killers are so isolated by this time they do not feel comfortable talking to
anyone about anything personal, so it is driven inward to inevitably fuel the
rage that drives their fantasy worlds (Brown, 2003).
Some
good examples of these perpetrators are John Wayne Gacy, Richard Ramirez, Ted
Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer. Gacy grew up
with an abusive father, and had a clot in his brain caused by a swing hitting
him in the head. Richard Ramirez grew up
with his parents who were always away at work, was diagnosed with epilepsy, and
witnessed his cousin murder his wife at the tender age of 12 (Carlos,
1996). Ted Bundy was under the
impression that his mother was his sister for most of his young life, and was
very distressed to discover the lie.
Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents practically abandoned him after they went
through a divorce. Had these people had
loving relationships with their caregivers, perhaps their victims would not
have had to suffer at all (Schechter, 2003).
Sexuality
of a Serial Killer- The Teenage Years into Early Adulthood
These people begin to fantasize about murder
and rape as a form of revenge on the society, or people they feel have slighted
them. The fantasy stage dominates the
individual’s thoughts and can be enough to sustain them for years (Schlesinger,
2000). Repeated frustration from the social isolation fuels the rage building
inside of them. Some of them realize
that they are homosexuals or pedophiles during this time, and that factor fuels
the fantasy. They often are compelled to masturbate during these fantasies.
Eventually they feel the compulsion to act on their fantasy to kill. Generally, in their late teens or early
adulthood, their frustration with life, and the growing satisfaction they
receive from their fantasy world where they hold all power builds to the point
that they decide to turn fantasy into reality and make their first kill
(Schlesinger, 2000).
Into
Adulthood- Why They Kill
There
are multiple factors that contribute to the making of a serial murderer. Just because someone is abused or neglected
does not mean that he will automatically become a serial killer. They are
usually loners, although some form pairs (Godwin, 2000). They have a very hard time dealing with
stress, even though they may appear to be functioning normally in society. This is where genetics and learned behaviors
intertwine with personal experiences, choices, nature, and consequences. The individuality of human nature plays a
large part in the process. Serial murderers
are narcissistic in nature, and failure is what inevitably starts their
murderous careers. To feel powerful,
they feel the compulsion to feed their narcissism with murder, because they are
failing miserably in their non-fantasy lives.
There are several basic needs every human must have to maintain a
balanced life. The three primary needs
are food, water, and sex. Abnormal
behavior is considered the direct result of the rules of society, and inherent
human needs which sometimes conflict with these (Hickey, n.d.). Taking the life of another human being, or
having complete, sexual power over another human being is a very powerful
feeling, almost godlike. Whether sexual
activity is defined or not, is committed by a male or female, the sexual
gratification these people get out of killing makes serial murder a sexual
crime (Arndt, Hietpas, & Kim, 2004).
To put this in another light, one that is more easily understood by
nonprofessionals, serial killers are people who have experienced abuse during
their upbringing, whose psyche distorts to the point that their sexual needs
will not subside without violence. This
creates a dangerous criminal, because one of their basic human needs for
survival can only be realized during the commission of a heinous crime.
Conclusion
It
is because of this distinction that the true facilitators of a serial killer
must lie somewhere in between nature and nurture with more of an emphasis on
nurture. This is because during their
developmental years, a lack of social skills leaves them with an inability to
cope and hardened emotional reactions, along with distorted views on human
relationships and sex. Despite media
attention that portrays serial killers as inhumane monsters, they are very much
as human as anyone else. After the
abusive formative years are over, they emerge enraged and ready to wreak havoc
on society in a never-ending cycle. It
takes a combination of both desire and impulse to allow a human to savagely
steal the life of another without any remorse or guilt. Their development depends on several
factors including but not limited to; “biological predisposition molded by
their psychological makeup, which is present at a critical time in their
development” (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2005). They begin life already prone to narcissism,
and develop into anti-social adults with anger management issues after enduring
childhoods rife with problems. Serial
killers are not born, but fashioned from a noxious cocktail of genetics, life experience,
and learned behavior.
References:
Arndt, W.B,
Hietpas, T. & Kim, J. (2004).
Critical Characteristics of Male Serial Murderers. American Journal of Criminal Justice. AJCJ; Fall 2004; 29, 1; Criminal Justice
Periodicals pp. 117
Brown, P.
(2003). Killing for Sport: Inside the Minds
of Serial Killers. Phoenix Books. Beverly Hills
Carlo, P.
(1996). The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez. New
York: Kensington Books.
Douglas, J.E.
& Olshaker, M. (1999). The
anatomy of motive: The FBI’s legendary mind hunter explores the key to
understanding and catching violent criminals. New York, NY:
Scribner.
Federal Bureau of
Investigation. (2005). Serial Murder:
Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/serial_murder.pdf
Giannangelo, S.J.
(1996). The Psychopathology of Serial Murder: A Theory of Violence. Westport,
CT. Praeger Publishing.
Godwin, G.M.
(2000). Hunting Serial Predators: a
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Hickey, E. W.
(n.d.) Serial Murderers and Their Victims.
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Jenkins, P.
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Schechter, H.
(2003). The Serial Killer Files: the
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USA. Random House Publishing Group.
Schlesinger, L. B.
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