Serial Murder And Mass Murder - 936 Words

Before we can take on the definitions of serial murder and mass murder, we must first understand what exactly constitutes murder. According to the United States Code-section 1111, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought (4). With that said, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the term serial murder implies that there are at least three different murder events at three different locations, with a â€Å"cooling off† period between each event (Ramsland, 2009). Individuals who perpetrate the crime of serial murder are referred to as serial killers. The term â€Å"serial killer† was coined in the mid-1970s by Robert Ressler, the former director of the FBI s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. He chose the name â€Å"serial killer† because authorities in England called these types of murders â€Å"crimes in a series† (Freeman, 2007). John Wayne Gacy, known as the â€Å"Killer Clown,† who to rtured, raped and murdered 33 men between 1972 and 1978 is an example of a serial killer. On the other hand, 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 (2). An example of a mass murder would be the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh, in which 168 people were killed. While serial murder has a definition that contains certainShow MoreRelatedThe Crime Of Serial Murder And Mass Murder1289 Words   |  6 PagesThe act of Serial murder and mass murder have similar characteristics, however they are not the same. Before they can be defined, it is necessary to first understand what exactly constitutes murder. According to the United States Code-section 1111, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought (FindLaw, 2014). With that said, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, â€Å"the term serial murder implies that there are at least three different murder events atRead More The Truth About Serial and Mass Murders Essay1033 Words   |  5 Pagessame; there are some who are mass murderers who go on killing rampages for reasons of their own, and then there are the serial killers that love to kill people because it makes them feel some sort of emotion. People often mistake these killers as one and the same, but in reality they are completely different in the ways they are profiled by the police, how they commit their murders and the effect they have on the community and the nation. Granted mass and serial murders are both killers, the policeRead MoreThe Crime Of The Criminal Justice System1696 Words   |  7 Pageswhole. Next, we will discuss some of the most publicized types of murders. These include serial, mass, spree and sensational murders. Lyman (2014) states, â€Å"such crimes generally have a psychodynamic component that can be very difficult to detect and understand† (p. 301). Despite the fact that these types of murders seem to be generally the same, they each have their own distinct disparities. Firstly, â€Å"serial murder is the murder of separate victims with time breaks as short as two days to as muchRead MorePsychological Profile of a Killer1577 Words   |  7 Pagesstaggering elevation in serial killings. To give some insight into the scale of the problem posed by the serial killer, in the United States can be gained from examining the statistics for just one year. In 1989 (the last year for which detailed figures are available) there were 21,500 recorded homicides, of which some 5,000 are unsolved. Unofficial sources believe that as many as a hundred serial killers may be at large at any given time. Add to this the number of known victims of serial killers, then betweenRead MoreThe Issues Behind The Criminal Justice System913 Words   |  4 Pagesand through word-of-mouth. Now these views are forced upon any person consuming any form of mass media. Some of the outlets include newspapers, tv, and sites used for communication. Even Though time has passed, the issues behind the criminal justice system are still being manipulated. One of the biggest issues being faced, concerns the desensitization of the community towards violent crimes such as serial killings. With this issue in mind, one question rises: how will media affect the the processRead MoreCharacteristics Of Mass Murderers And Serial Killers1019 Words   |  5 PagesMass Murderers and Serial Killers are nothing new to today’s society. These vicious killers are are generally vicious, fierce beasts and have an unusual inclination to murder. The questions that people ask about serial killers and mass murderers are what gives these people the desire to kill? What inspires them to continue murdering? Do these killers get fulfillment from slaughtering? Is there a contrast between mass murderers and serial killers or would people say they are the same? How do theyRead More profile of a killer Essay examples1561 Words   |  7 Pagesstaggering elevation in serial killings. To give some insight into the scale of the problem posed by the serial killer, in the United States can be gained from examining the statistics for just one year. In 1989 (the last year for which detailed figures are available) there were 21,500 recorded homicides, of which some 5,000 are unsolved. Unofficial sources believe that as many as a hundred serial killers may be at large at any given time. Add to this the number of known victims of serial killers, then betweenRead MoreThe Murder Of Serial Killers1703 Words   |  7 PagesA grieving mother drapes herself over the casket of her deceased son. The 14 year old had fallen victim to one of the most infamous serial killers in history, Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer killed a total of 17 known victims, all between the ages of 14 and 33. In his most recent murders, he often resorted to necrophilia, cannibalism, and permanent preservation of body parts (â€Å"Jeffrey Dahmer Biography†). The mother looks at what is left of her sonâ€⠄¢s face, the face that once smiled to her every morning beforeRead MoreChapter 16. Serial Killers Are Not A New Development. They1189 Words   |  5 PagesChapter 16 Serial killers are not a new development. They have been among us since the beginning of time. Evidence of this can be seen by reviewing some of the world’s most high-profile crimes; some of which remain unsolved. Serial killers are difficult to detect. They are able to move through society, masquerading as normal, healthy individuals. A serial sexual sadistic killer is a specific type of predator. Their crimes suggest that they are void of any feelings or emotion. However, theories suggestRead MoreCharles Manson Essay1297 Words   |  6 Pagesculturally progressive areas (San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, etc.). In 1969, Charles Manson, an American criminal, rose to infamy with his orchestration of seven gruesome murders in Los Angeles, California. Whats even more shocking than the murder scenes, was the fact that Manson did not perpetrate any of the murders himself, but instead convinced others to commit the crimes for him: the murderers had been done by the Manson Fami ly, a cult Manson himself had created. Manson’s total control