Serial Killers as Heroes

Serial Killers as Heroes
Presenter

Introduction
• A serial killer is an individual who commits at least three
murders with breaks in between each killing.
• They are driven by different motives that make them kill
repeatedly (Aken 4).
• Their killings are organized in a way that makes it difficult
for them to be known.
• Serial killers do not kill anybody but select their victims
accordingly.

Psychological and sociological understanding
• Psychologist view serial killing behaviour in terms of interactions with
the society.
• The behaviour is a secret life that comes from the double life they lead
as seen in the movies Mr. Brooks (Papamichael, 12).
• In the movies the serial killer is a celebrated businessman and a secret
serial killer.
• Sociologists view it as deviant behaviour.
• This is deviation from the norm due to poor upbringing or early
childhood experiences as seen in the film Natural Born Killers.

Nature of serial killing today
• Serial killing has evolved with the changes in the society.
• Perpetrators have changed their ways of targeting their victims
through use of technology like internet (Barcella 3).
• This practice starts with obsession or stocking before eventual killing.
• Most of the targeted victims have issues with the society and may have
received media or legal attention.
• This makes targeting victims easy.