Creation of Serial Killers: How Do We Prevent Them
Madisyn Morris
What makes a serial killer?
Serial killers, normally Caucasian males around 18-32 years of age.
There has been a debate over the years whether serial killers are born
or developed. Whittington-Egan (2008) states that serial killers display
characteristics such as difficulty with maintaining relationships, lack
empathy, remorse, struggle with substance use, and many more
characteristics which contribute to their violent actions.
Studies show that:
● Neurodevelopmental problems can result in negative outcomes such
as violence.
○ head injuries
○ ASD
● Low levels of monoamine oxidase a gene (MAOA) can lead to higher
rates of aggression.
● Nature and nurture play a large role in childhood development. For
example, individuals who did not have the best childhood
experiences, such as Jeffrey Dahmer, grew up to become a serial
killer. This could be due to lack of moral understanding, or simply
lack of empathy.
Solution 1: Therapy
Though serial killers are seen as awful human beings, there
should be options for therapy open to them. Most serial
killers are motivated by sex, power, and control. As explained
in The Mind Of A Serial Killer; A majority of serial killers are
men who suffer from sexual sadism and psychopathy, author
Janarthan Reddy states that sexual sadism is “a type of sexual
perversion and is also called paraphilias.” (Reddy, 2007)An
individual with paraphilias has strong sexual fantasies,
desires, or behavior involving nonhuman objects; one enjoys
the agony of individuals, whether it being themselves, their
partner, children, or other non consenting participants. Sexual
sadism gives sexual pleasure from giving the victim
psychological or bodily agony and humiliation. These acts
indicate this need “to dominate over victims” (Reddy, 2007).
● Therapy-
Serial killers cannot control themselves. They lack the
ability to tell right from wrong. Individuals who present
high levels of violent behavior should reach out for help
to avoid this behavior growing to murder. This will allow
more opportunities for studies on what makes individuals
violent or what drives them to kill.
Solution 2: Neurological Analysis Pictures and Visual Argument
Genetics, environment, and biology collectively play a role in the
development of insensitive, unemotional characteristics in youth.
Sharman, S. (2021). Forensics and DNA: how genetics
According to Josh Fischman, Adrian Raine, chair of the criminology can help solve crimes – HudsonAlpha Institute for
department at the University of Pennsylvania, has developed the Biotechnology. In Hudson Alpha.
science of neurodevelopmental criminology. This suggests that https://www.hudsonalpha.org/forensics-and-dna-
biological markers can predict antisocial behavior. how-genetics-can-help-solve-crimes/
● Damasio's theory (Antonio R. Damasio, professor of neuroscience)-
Damage to parts of the brain is tied to antisocial actions,
suggesting that the amygdala and prefrontal cortex normally link
up to prevent people from harming others. This damage to the
area of the brain used for decision making, could turn patients Dorine W. (2017). Figure 2. Brain scan of a normal orbital
into destructive individuals who seem to be robbed “of a "brake" cortex and a psychopath... In ResearchGate.
on their impulses.” (Fischman, 2011) Murderers from good
ResearchGate.
homes had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Brain-scan-of-a-
genetics and anatomy were more influential on their
normal-orbital-cortex-and-a-psychopath-orbital-
development than the way they grew up. Damasio called this
“acquired sociopathy” (Fischman, 2011). cortex_fig1_331432641
● Raine believes that protective factors such as omega-3 fatty acids,
cognitive-behavioral therapy, and physical reactivity can help
prevent trouble in children.
If a parent notices early on that their child demonstrates aggressive
behavior, they should have brain scans conducted on their child.
Solution 3: Profiling Algorithms
A lack of systems for profiling allows more serial murders
to go undetected.
● As discussed in the interview with Thomas Hargrove SOURCES
from All Things Considered, hosted by Ailsa Chang, due
to 51 unsolved deaths on Chicago's South and West Allely, C. S., Minnis, H., Thompson, L., Wilson, P., & Gillberg, C. (2014). Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass
Sides, the FBI is looking into the potential of a serial murderers. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19(3), 288–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.004
murderer. The Murder Accountability Project's founder,
Fischman, J. (2011). Can This Man Predict Whether Your Child Will Become a Criminal? Adrian Raine thinks brain scans can identify children who may become
killers. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 57(39). https://link-gale-com.proxy043.nclive.org/apps/doc/A258844082/BIC?
Tom Hargrove, developed a computer program to u=coa_main&sid=summon&xid=d679c114
identify trends in killings throughout the country. Highsmith, J., Mercado, M., Hernandez, J., & Madrigal, S. (2013). Nature (MAOA) and Nurture in a Criminal. UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal.
● According to the article The serial killer phenomenon https://escholarship.org/content/qt5w51b7bg/qt5w51b7bg_noSplash_b63d15ddd4239fcdafdbc3dfadbca9b9.pdf?t=o23bnm#:~:text=The%20research
written by Richard Whittington-Egan, scientists have %20predicted%20that%20nature,necessary%20in%20understanding%20criminal%20behavior.
done 'geographic profiling' on bees to help with serial Ramsland, Katherine,PhD., C.M.I.-V. (2013). The Man WHO ENTERS THE MINDS OF Serial Killers: AN INTERVIEW with ANTHONY MEOLI. Forensic
killers, and DNA fingerprinting has been a positive Examiner, 22(3), 64-68. https://login.proxy043.nclive.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/man-who-enters-minds-serial-killers-
discovery in cold cases. interview/docview/1439533544/se-2
Reddy, J. (2007, Jan 22). The Mind Of A Serial Killer; A majority of serial killers are men who suffer from sexual sadism and psychopathy. India Today, , 66.
https://login.proxy043.nclive.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/mind-serial-killer-majority-killers-are-men-who/docview/198778134/se-2
● Developing new forms of profiling would stop serial Whittington-Egan, R. (2008, Autumn). The serial killer phenomenon. Contemporary Review, 290(1690), 323+.
murders from going unnoticed, and eventually in the https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A189797503/GLS?u=coa_main&sid=bookmark-GLS&xid=450c2f59
future, prevented.