Serial Killers (Organized v Disorganized)

== Organized v Disorganized Serial Killers ==

==== Steven David Lampley, Writer ==== When detectives arrive at a crime scene they take note of everything. Nothing is insignificant. When arriving at a homicide scene, homicide detectives can assess the crime scene and come up with a reasonable profile of the suspect based on a number of factors they observe. This helps eliminate possible suspects and gives them a base from which to begin the suspect search.

A homicide detective observing a crime scene where there is no body, no weapon, and occasionally signs of victim restraint tells the detective the type of person they are seeking. If, however, the detective observes a homicide scene where the body is still there, a weapon is found, and the scene is in general disarray, also gives the detective indicators of the type of suspect they will begin seeking, albeit different from the first.

A dichotomy of the Organized and Disorganized serial killer typographies was originated in 1974 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Behavioral Science Unit. One must understand, however, that these typographies are generalizations and are limited. They do not take into account the continuum that a serial killer may go through as the murders increase. Some serial killers may begin as a disorganized killer, but after several murders, may become more careful and morph into an organized killer. On the other hand, going from an organized to disorganized killer, Ted Bundy was quoted as saying, “The first time you are careful. By the thirtieth time, you can't remember where you left the lug wrench.” The continuum can go both ways of which the homicide detective must be cognizant.

When a detective arrives on the crime scene, (s)he can look at that scene and determine if the killer is Organized or Disorganized. Doing this delineates a suspect profile and tells the detective a lot about the suspect.

If the crime scene is Organized, the detective knows that, based on the evidence, (s)he is looking for someone who planned the murder and the victim was a stranger. The suspect likes power and control and probably used restraints on the victim. The suspect is from

average to above average intelligence and is socially and sexually adept. The suspect, if having other siblings, was probably the first born and had inconsistent childhood discipline. The serial killer is a skilled worker, is living with a partner, and probably has a car. The suspect will be watching the media for news coverage on h(is)(er) crimes and may leave town and change jobs.

A Disorganized crime scene tells the homicide detective that the suspect is spontaneous and just randomly picked someone to kill and that there was minimal conversation between the serial killer and victim. If restraints were used they were used only briefly. The victim was sexually abused after death. The suspect has below average intelligence and is socially and sexually inept. (S)he was one of the last born and had harsh discipline when young. The suspect is living alone and lives and/or works close to the crime scene. The suspect will have considerable behavior change after the murder.

Understanding, however, that there is a possible continuum and that some serial killers simply do not fit into just one typography, the crime scene can be a mixture of both the Organized and Disorganized and a third category, Mixed, has been added.

The Organized/Disorganized/Mixed typography is not a guaranteed tool, but when used in conjunction with other tools it can be of vital importance in helping law enforcement identify a serial killer.

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