Serial Killer

A Serial Killer is a person who murders multiple people, usually with a "cooling off" period in between. The FBI estimates that at any given time, there are from 35 to 50 active serial killers in the U.S.

Etymology
The term "serial killer" was coined by FBI Special Agent Robert Ressler who, along with colleague John Douglas, was one of the founders of the BAU. There are sources, however, that contend the term is a translation of the German Vardewulf (literally, werewolf), which was a term used to describe serial killers in the past.

Definition
In order to qualify as a serial killer, an Unsub must exhibit the following criteria:


 * 1) Quantity: There must be at least three victims
 * 2) Place: The killings must occur at different locations
 * 3) Time: There must be a cooling off period

There are, of course, exceptions to these criteria; disorganized killers such as Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer often commit their ghastly deeds at home.

Organized/Non-Social
Organized serial killers, as profiled by John Douglas, former FBI Profiler, normally share the following common characteristics :


 * White male, aged 25 to 45
 * Above average intelligence (100+)
 * Strong personal and social skills
 * Able to maintain normal family life
 * usually employed in a menial position, often below their abilities
 * May make an effort to cover up their crimes, often dumping the body in a hidden location and cleaning up the crime scene; some have a working knowledge of forensics

Examples

 * Ted Bundy
 * David Berkowitz
 * John Wayne Gacy

Disorganized/Asocial
Disorganized serial killers may share these characteristics:


 * White male, any age range; but females are common as well
 * Below average intelligence
 * The habit of leaving the body at the scene, not bothering to cover up the crime
 * May be difficult to catch due to constant relocation
 * May have a domineering family member (most notably a parent)
 * Uses "blitz" attacks to subdue, as opposed to seduction or sympathy
 * Has very few close relationships and is often referred to as the "quiet type"

Examples

 * Ed Gein
 * Edmund Kemper
 * Jeffrey Dahmer

Angel of Death/Mercy
Angel of Death serial killers may share the following characteristics:


 * Usually in the medical profession
 * Most often female; but males are fairly common
 * Motive is highly variable (revenge, financial gain, mercy, etc.)
 * Most often use passive means (poison, etc.)

Examples

 * Charles Cullen
 * Dr. Jack Kevorkian
 * Donald Harvey

Bluebeard/Black Widow
A Bluebeard or Black Widow is a man or woman (respectively) that murders their spouses, one after another, by various means.

Examples

 * Henri Landru (bluebeard)
 * Johann Hoch (bluebeard)
 * Nannie Doss (black widow)

Secondary Pathology
One thing that most types have in common is the taking of trophies from the victim. This could be an earring, an article of clothing, and sometimes even a body part.

Criminal Minds
Some serial killers in Criminal Minds (will be expanded gradually)


 * Frank Breitkopf
 * Nathan Tubbs
 * The Footpath Killer
 * Randall Garner AKA The Fisher King
 * Tobias Hankel
 * Johnny McHale
 * Henry Grace