What Makes Serial Killers Click?

“Because of the their psychopathic nature, serial killers do not know how to feel sympathy for others. They learn to simulate normal behavior by observing others, but it is a manipulative act. Henry Lee Lucas described being a serial killer as being ‘like a movie-star . . . you’re playing a part.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Many serial killers are fascinated by authority. They have attempted to become police officers or security guards or have served in the military. Many have also disguised themselves as law enforcement to gain access to victims, such as Ted Bundy, the Hillside Stranglers, and John Gacy.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Unlike some people with significant mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, psychopaths can seem normal and often charming, in a state of adaptation psychiatrists call ‘the mask of sanity.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“From an early age, many serial killers are intensely interested in voyeurism and fetishism as well as other paraphilia. Many will start as harmless peeping toms before moving onto the house breaking, rape, and murder.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Serial killers usually come from families that are dysfunctional and debilitating. Additionally, they are rarely remembered by classmates because did they not have many close friends. Often, they grow up lonely and isolated.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Most serial killers are young: 44% started when they were in their 20s, 26% in their teens, and 24% in their 30s.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“The majority of serial killer arrests are done by patrol officers doing their everyday duties and unrelated to the ongoing serial murder investigation. For example, Larry Yeler was arrested during a traffic stop for a parking violation and Ted Bundy was arrested during a traffic stop for a stolen ca…”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“While many children wet the bed, this behavior may be a sign of a deeper pathology when it persists beyond the age of 12. Over 60% of serial killers were still wetting their beds as adolescents.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Nearly 70% of serial killers received extensive head injuries as children or adolescents which, for many researchers, suggests a link between such injuries and serial murder. Some researchers believe that the prefrontal cortex (the area involved in planning and judgment) does not function properly i…”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Between 30%–38% of psychopaths show abnormal brainwave patterns, or EEGs.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Many serial killers will keep ‘souvenirs’ of their crimes. For example, when Ted Bundy was asked why he took Polaroids of his victims, he said, ‘when you work hard to do something, you don’t want to forget it.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Almost all serial killers admit that they started by acting out their fantasies on small animals before they moved to humans and that animal torture brought them a great source of pleasure.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Many serial killers report having an abnormally strong sex drive and many fantasized about dead women rather than living ones.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk

“Most serial killers suffered child abuse. Neglect and child abuse not only impair a child’s self esteem, they also interfere with his or her ability to function in society, succeed academically, and form healthy relationships with people.”

— Shirley Lynn Scott, fc.nghf.dk