Day 64: International Crime Research: Serial Killers, Mass Murderers and Sociopaths Part 1

Definitions:

Serial Killer:

A serial killer is traditionally defined as an individual who has killed three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time (a "cooling off period") between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification. Some sources, such as the FBI, disregard the "three or more" criteria, and define the term as "a series of two or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not always, by one offender acting alone" or, including the vital characteristics, a minimum of two murders.Often, a sexual element is involved in the killings, but the FBI states that motives for serial murder include "anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention seeking". The murders may have been attempted or completed in a similar fashion and the victims may have had something in common; for example, occupation, race, appearance, sex, or age group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_killer

Mass Murderer

Mass murder (in military contexts, sometimes interchangeable with "mass destruction" or "genocide") is the act of murdering a large number of people (four or more), typically at the same time or over a relatively short period of time.[1] According to the FBI, mass murder is defined as four or more murders occurring during a particular event with no cooling-off period between the murders. A mass murder typically occurs in a single location in which a number of victims are killed by an individual or more.[2] Most acts of mass murder end with the death of the perpetrator(s), whether by direct suicide or being killed by law enforcement.[citation needed]
A mass murder differs from a spree killing in that it may be committed by individuals or organizations alike, whereas a spree killing may only be committed by one or two individuals. Mass murder may also be defined as the intentional and indiscriminate murder of a large number of people by government agents. Examples are the shooting of unarmed protestors, the carpet bombing of cities, the lobbing of grenades into prison cells and the random execution of civilians.Mass murderers are different from spree killers, who kill at two or more locations with almost no time break between murders and are not defined by the number of victims, and serial killers, who may kill large numbers of people over long periods of time. The largest mass killings in history have been attempts to exterminate entire groups or communities of people, often on the basis of ethnicity or religion. Some of these mass murders have been found to be genocides and others to be crimes against humanity, but often such crimes have led to few or no convictions of any type.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_murder

Sociopath:

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is described by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition (DSM-IV-TR), as an Axis II personality disorder characterized by "...a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood."

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV-TR), defines antisocial personality disorder (in Axis II Cluster B) as:

A) There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three or more of the following:

failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
deception, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead;
irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
reckless disregard for safety of self or others;
consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;
lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another;

B) The individual is at least age 18 years.
C) There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
D) The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder


In this Blog Series, I will look at the fine line between Serial Killers, Mass Murderers and Sociopaths as Classified through Psychology and Criminology and the Characteristic of these same 'Labels' which are found within what we call 'Normal Society'. First I will explore the Psychological Dimension of for example the Serial Killer and walk Self Forgiveness on the Mind of a Serial Killer - consisting of their Childhood, Environmental, Behavioral, and Self-Directed Influences. Then I will take a look at what traits or Characteristics of the Serial Killer, Mass Murderer and Sociopath are found within our World Systems such as Society, Capitalism, Consumerism, Human Thought Processes and the 'rights of the Individual' at the expense of Life on this planet. What distinguishing the rest of Society and the way we permit for example Abuse, War, Genocide, Poverty, Exploitation, all in the name 'Individual freedom and the rights of the Consumer' - from Serial Killers, Mass Murderess and Sociopaths? Lets walk the Mind of the Serial Killer and See what unfolds...



The following Research Paper contains an overview of the Psychological studies behind Serial Killers. If you have a moment and would like to read the complete Document:

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fciteseerx.ist.psu.edu%2Fviewdoc%2Fdownload%3Fdoi%3D10.1.1.97.6084%26rep%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf&ei=MmWKUJyVEqqd0AWRo4H4CQ&usg=AFQjCNEdxKKg_EHlwU6MjnWEylgsuR9ESA&sig2=OPss7dDVp-12FqRACAXbDA&cad=rja

or if you have a Scribd account:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13073170/Analysis-of-the-Mind-of-Serial-Killers

In my next blog - I will place the major points taken from the research paper, as background information on the influences in the Life of a Serial Killer as well as 'interesting factors' that allow us to start seeing similarities between what we have labeled as Serial Killers, Mass Murderess and Sociopaths and what are considered to be 'normal consequences' of human Behaviours and the outflow/ consequences of existing in and being subject to the current Capitalistic System, which functions according to the principle of the Value your Life has depends on what Money you have. Death, pain and suffering is basically ok if you are doing it in the name of 'Human Prosperity' and the 'drive of Capitalism' or if you do it due to your personal belief systems, religions emotions/feelings or personal 'choices' based on ones individuality and right to 'Life/freedom of expression'.

In the next Blog, I will focus on the lives of specific serial killers, which provide 'examples' of the research findings - after which I will focus my self-forgiveness on the specified research findings and the 'Mind-Construct' (how the Mind-set or Character was Designed/Constructed) of the various Serial Killers. From there I will explore the various Mind Designs of the Human within a world where any and all forms of Abuse/Suffering are currently escalating and the justifications that exist behind why we allow some to follow their experience of happiness, joy, love and satisfaction over the consequences we create for the lives of Billions, each day and why there has never been any solutions and personal change/self-responsibility occurring in the face of these global problems.

Next: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH RELATED TO THE CRIMINAL MIND OF SERIAL KILLERS