The Lure of Homicide:Why are we so fascinated with murder?They are like fiction = entertainmentLearn how to avoid becoming a victim – sometimes become law enforcement or in this field – maybe paranoiaLive vicariously through sadistic killers – red flag, wants to commit murder but knows it’s bad so they live through these other killer“Murderabilia”Comic books about serial killers, trading cards, calendars, clothing, games…etc.We want to be attached to themWho are the offenders and victims?Offenders:Gender = 86% maleRegular murder predominantly male as wellRace = 82% whiteRegular murder about 50/50 between racesAge = 41% are ages between 20-29Are they nomadic?73% kill in the same city/state10-15% stay in the same regionDo they know their victims?Females know their victims – usually kill their husbands, kids, patients…etc.Males usually do not know their victims – random selectionVictims:Male killers choose female victimsVulnerable populationsUnlikely to be reported missingExamples – prostitutes, homeless (no one’s looking for them), runaways,Pick people who are “less dead” because they are “less alive” – not a contribution to society so there is not much guilt when attacking themFemales tend to choose a family member or someone who is in their careWhat makes a serial killer?Frontal lobe damage – grow into serial killers, repeated head trauma causes this sometimesEarly childhood physical, sexual, verbal abuse or early exposure to sexualityChildhood suffering – parental rejection/neglectAdoption? Resentment and anger for sense of abandonment from their biological parents. Inherited tendencies, biological disorders. No sense of self of identity. Feel unwanted.McDonald’s triad:BedwettingAnimal tortureFiresettingNeurological impairmentExtreme need for powerSevere psychiatric disordersThe media and pornography? – violent video gamesMale Serial Killers:Jeffery DahmerKilling for companyRejected by society/familyDevoid of human relationships1980s: Milwaukee serial killerBoys and young men were his victimsConvicted of 15 murders, 15 life termsWhat happened to Dahmer?Got arrested on sodomy chargesExposed himself to a young boyTakes the victim to his apartment and raped him, the kid escapes and tells police. Dahmer tells police its his boyfriend and they were fighting, the police believed him. Dahmer takes the kid back and kills him. Head found in refrigerator.Got caught because another kid escaped.Killed in prison from inmates beating him to death with a barbellCannibalism as affection? Eating them was a way of keeping them even though they’re deadThe role of souvenirsWhat do they keep?Jewelry, clothes, hair, makeup, body partsWhy keep items?To relive events during their cool off periodA sense of accomplishmentJohn Wayne GacyKilled for the thrill of it / hedonisticMany are sociopathsTake great pleasure in torturing victims…sadisticMany are sexual sadistsThe case of Gacy “Pogo the clown”Offending began with sodomy on boys, escalated to killing runaway boys and male prostitutesFound 29 bodies at his houseExecuted in 1994, no remorse for his crimesKnown for having parties at his house for young boysLeft Illinois and violated terms of his paroleRemarriesShe finds child pornography, clothes, and drivers licenses of young boys in their house.Female Serial Killers:The Black WidowNamed after the spider who kills her mateUsually kills family or friendsPoison is the weapon of choiceThe case of Betty Lou BeetsHad 5 husbands4 disappeared, the other left her after she shot him in the backthey found husband #5 in the well at her house in a bullet in the back of the headhusband #4 was found in the crawl space under her house in the same conditionFirst woman to be executed in the US in the 21st centuryThe Angels of Death: Medical MurderersMost common type of female serial killer (60% are women)Kills those in her care (medical murder)The case of Vickie Dawn JacksonNurse in Texas killed up to 25 people from 2000-2001MotivationPowerKiller demanding patientsKilled 3rd husband’s grandfatherPled no contest to 10 murders, life in prisonProblems with catching serial killers:Prefer vulnerable victimsDo everything to avoid getting caught“Linkage Blindness” = lack of communication between agenciesHard to link cases across jurisdictionsSolution: cross-jurisdictional databasesViolent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP)CRJU 101 1st Edition Lecture 3Outline of Last Lecture I. What is the criminal justice system? Outline of Current Lecture II. The lure of homicideIII. How do we define serial killersIV. Who are the offenders and victimsV. What makes a serial killer?VI. Male serial killersa. John Wayne Gacyb. Jeffery DahmerVII. Female serial killersa. Betty Lou BeetsVIII.Medical MurderersIX. Problems with catching serial killers Current Lecture The Lure of Homicide:- Why are we so fascinated with murder?o They are like fiction = entertainmento Learn how to avoid becoming a victim – sometimes become law enforcement or in this field – maybe paranoia o Live vicariously through sadistic killers – red flag, wants to commit murder but knows it’s bad so they live through these other killer- “Murderabilia”o Comic books about serial killers, trading cards, calendars, clothing, games…etc.o We want to be attached to them Who are the offenders and victims?- Offenders:o Gender = 86% male Regular murder predominantly male as wello Race = 82% white Regular murder about 50/50 between raceso Age = 41% are ages between 20-29o Are they nomadic?  73% kill in the same city/state 10-15% stay in the same regionThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Do they know their victims?o Females know their victims – usually kill their husbands, kids, patients…etc. o Males usually do not know their victims – random selection- Victims:o Male killers choose female victims Vulnerable populations Unlikely to be reported missing  Examples – prostitutes, homeless (no one’s looking for them), runaways,  Pick people who are “less dead” because they are “less alive” – not a contribution to society so there is not much guilt when attacking themo Females tend to choose a family member or someone who is in their care  What makes a serial killer?- Frontal lobe damage – grow into serial killers, repeated