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Serial Murder: Differences in Quality Rather Than Quantity
A majority of references to serial murder define these offenders by the number of victims murdered requiring a certain number of victims being killed over a period of time. This author has argued that the qualitative differences between murderers who have killed more than one victim are the essential defining features. Among these differences is the element of fantasy, which has been suggested by this author to be of utmost importance in the serial murder cycle.
The qualitative difference of serial murderers is a combination of many factors that can be seen in the general offender population. It is the theory of this author that fantasy is the critical element that separates serial murderers from other homicide offenders. The role of fantasy is very well documented in the sex offender literature and although various authors propose different elements to the offense cycle, all include fantasy as a variable. Like the sex offender, serial murderers maintain an active fantasy life, which not only initiates the first murder, but also supports the continuation of the homicidal cycle.
Another difference between serial murderers and those who have killed more than one victim is the motivation for committing the crime. Serial murderers kill victims due to an internal motivation, which is predicated in fantasy and is primarily for the gratification of psychological needs. Again, it is the opinion of this writer that fantasy holds the key to differentiating serial murderers from other multiple murderers. The Fantasy Wheel provides an indication of the intricacies involved in the serial murder cycle. It has been theorized that the fantasy initiates and supports the homicidal cycle in serial murder, while other murderers, including those who have killed multiple victims lack the use of fantasy.
Homicides for profit or due to affective aggression occur to earn money or in reaction to a real or perceived threat. This is in great contrast to the serial homicide, which occurs in this author’s opinion, primarily for the enjoyment of taking a human life. It is difficult for most to understand obtaining satisfaction from murdering a victim and the emotional significance this has to these offenders. However, most can relate to the satisfaction of participating in a hobby or completing a difficult project, where there is a visualization of a goal, planning and an investment of time, money and effort to complete that goal.
If one can imagine the feeling that accompanies the satisfaction, excitement or accomplishment of achieving a socially acceptable goal, one is imagining how many serial murderers describe the act of killing a victim. When one contrasts this to the multiple murderer, which is qualitatively different from the serial murderer, one will find that the multiple murderer experiences a completely different reaction in the area of satisfaction. Where serial murderers are more likely to immediately experience exhilaration after killing a victim, a multiple murderer will experience fear or anxiety.
It is well documented in the literature on serial murderers that there is often an underlying sexual motivation which drives fantasy and behavioral aspects of the offender’s crimes. Multiple murderers do not share in this motivation when committing their crimes, and as stated previously are motivated more by profit rather than for sexual purposes. When there is a sexual motivation, the offender is more likely to commit sadistic acts, where when there is a profit motivation there will be little emotion reflected at the crime scene.
When one contrasts these offenders in this manner, it is easy too see that there are dramatic differences. However, in contrasting these types of offenders one must also notice that there are sometimes similarities that contribute to the crimes. Substance abuse is an area that may be a contributing factor in serial murder and multiple murder, yet addiction as a primary motivation will play a larger role in multiple murder crimes and will again be for profit and may take the form of gang-related activity. Anger is another area that may be a similarity, yet there will be a difference in how the anger is enacted and will be evident in the crime scene behavior.
The purpose of this brief article was not to go into great detail about the qualitative differences in particular but to highlight that differences exist which go beyond the number of victims.
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E-mail your questions or suggestions to Bryan Nelson Last Updated: 11/22/2008 © 2002-2009, Deviant Crimes |
