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Serial Killers
Serial Killers
Ted Bundy
In A Nutshell
Serial killers aren’t a new thing. It is only fairly recently, however, that
serial killers have been broken down into different types based on their
motivations for killing. These include those that are motivated by anger, by
financial gain, by psychosis, and by a need for power. There are also serial killers
because of a sexual need. There are, of course, cases that fall between the cracks
or hit multiple areas, and these categories certainly are not 100 percent complete
or absolute.
The Whole Bushel
these different types. It’s also important to note that there can be some overlap.
For instance, the serial killer driven by psychosis to murder can also have
a group of people. This anger can be based on religion, gender, lifestyle, or race,
development of racist views. Some profiles also call this type a “mission serial
killer,” as they believe it is their purpose in life to rid the world of a certain type
of person.
Ideology can also be a very powerful motivator for some types of serial
killers. These are the people that also tend to target a single group of people, but
it’s to further their own cause and ideals rather than to rid the world of a very
ideology-based.
Some serial killers are motivated by financial gain. These are the killers that
ingratiate themselves into a household, then perhaps kill for their inheritance, and
they’re the ones that take out insurance policies then kill to receive their payoff.
serial killer. These killers are also known as comfort-oriented serial killers, and
own psychosis or mental illness. Also called visionary serial killers, they often
suffer from delusions and hallucinations, thinking that something is telling them to
commit murder. These are the serial killers that are usually found incompetent to
stand trial, as they often truly believe that demons, gods, or other otherworldly
Power or thrill killers simply do it for the rush. These people are often
aware that they’re going against what’s socially acceptable, but the feel of power
and domination is too great for them to pass up. Sometimes the dominance can take
on a sexual aspect, but here it’s more about the feeling of power than about the
Unlike power or thrill killers, it’s about the act instead of the power that it imparts
to them over their victim. In some cases, this might not even be reflected clearly
in the crime scene, and it may only be later, at home or in an environment they feel
The other main type of serial killer is that which commits multiple murders
When it comes to investigations, these are broad guidelines that are often
actions. They are by no means absolute and 100 percent complete, and there is
always the possibility for overlap between motivations. Applying the general
principles behind these categories can also prove valuable during suspect interviews