EVOLUTION OF A SERIAL KILLER By Lindsey Spackman

WHAT IS A SERIAL KILLER? • A serial killer is a psychopath who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month. Ritualistic Behavior Animal Cruelty • A serial killer murders far from home with multiple victims, satisfying their fantasies. • The motivation for a serial killer is usually based on psychological gratification. Compulsivity Signs of a Serial Killer Hyper Sexuality Suicidal Tendencies History of Serious Assaults

PSYCHOPATHIC SERIAL KILLERS Psychopaths • Psychopaths are people Do not feel Nervous Do not feel Embarrassed with either an aspect of personality disorder characterized by enduring dissocial behavior or antisocial behavior. • Psychopaths can be Do not feel Sad Do not feel Remorseful manipulative, aggressive, seductive and impulsive. • They are of average to above average intelligence and masters of disguise

SERIAL KILLERS VS. NATURE • Most serial killers come from abusive, dysfunctional families. • Studies have shown that most serial killers have been neglected or physically abused, from this abuse the child grows to feel unwanted and unloved which leads to anger, hate and depression. • Growing up in a abusive household can lead psychopaths to vivid thoughts of a violent nature. • Being abused and feeling unwanted can lead to a serious state of depression which makes you turn against the world and a specific group that made you feel that way.

SERIAL KILLERS VS. NATURE Normal Psychopath A study at University of Wisconsin at Madison compared brain scans of people who were considered normal to those who were convicted criminals. The findings were that the orbital frontal cortex, the anterior cingulated cortex and the amygdale, which plays a large part in the control of negative and violent emotions, had diminished activity.

Psychopathathy Interpersonal Factor • • • Glib, superficially charming Callous, manipulative Grandiose sense of self-worth Affective Factor • • Lack of remorse or guilt Shallow affect Callous, lacking empathy Failure to accept responsibility Lifestyle Factor • • • Stimulation seeking Impulsive Irresponsible Parasitic lifestyle Lack of realistic goals Antisocial Factor • • • Poor behavioral controls Early behavior problems Juvenile delinquency Revocation of conditional release Criminal versatility

Three kinds of Serial Killers Organized • Loner by choice, little to no evidence, solid job history, personalized victims, confident • Hardest serial killer to apprehend. • Loner by default, leave evidence behind, poor job history, depersonalized victims, blitz attack, lacks confidence Disorganized • A killer who kills when and where his heart desires. Mixed • May have domestic issues, loner/reclusive, may return to crime scene. • Usually organized but the “rush and thrill for the kill trumps the planning and preparation.

ARE PSYCHOPATH SERIAL KILLERS BORN OR BRED? “FOR A TRUE PSYCHOPATH IT’S BOTH!" • Genetics play a major role in the creation of psychopaths, just like schizophrenia, alcoholism, and even cancer can be inherited, predispositions to violence can be inherited. • Some are born with lower levels of connectivity-less likely to bond. Loving Family Neglectful Family and society build character • Born with reduced empathy, highly impulsive and don’t consider the consequences of their actions. Supportive Family Abusive Family

PSYCHOPATHS ARE NOT ALWAYS KILLERS! • With a loving and healthy Loving Family Abusive Family Career Driven Antisocial Successful Under Pressure Detached & Depressed Thrill seeker Hostility toward others environment psychopaths can grow to be a ruthless business leader or a thrill-seeking, elite sportsperson. • The environment of a young child predisposed to psychopathic tendencies can teach them to be high functioning successful people, or can create a violent monster • Environment is as big a factor as genetics.

CAN SERIAL KILLERS BE PREVENTED OR CURED? Is there early prevention of someone who is prone to violence? • Prevention involves intervention as a child with ethical and moral education with a loving upbringing. Is there a cure for an adult psychopath? • There has been no cure found for psychopathic serial killers to date. • Medication can control some of their impulses, only if they find it beneficial to themselves.

Serial killer Psychopaths are created by the perfect storm. They are genetically different from birth, and most of them grow up in abusive homes. If they do not live in abusive homes they have something traumatic happen in their childhood that they are not equipped to handle. This causes them to go against the norm and develop a violent hate towards society. “We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow. ” -Ted Bundy

QUESTIONS?