Occurrence Of Abuse On The Childhoods Of Serial Killers

Occurrence of Abuse in the Childhoods of Serial Killers Danielle E. Higgins University of Southern Indiana Abstract Many factors contribute to the inner workings of a serial killer. One of the most prominent seems to be the incidence of some type—or multiples types—of childhood abuse. This paper discusses the different types of child abuse that could contribute to qualities of a serial killer, including several well-known serial murderers. It also discusses the different types of serial killers and the characteristics that each type portrays. Occurrence of Abuse in the Childhoods of Serial Killers Serial murder is one of the most horrific acts that a person can commit. Multiple murder can be broken down into three different types: mass murder, spree murder, and serial murder (Knight, 2006). Mass murder involves killing three or more individuals in one place during one short time span, spree murder involves killing three or more individuals within a time period of 30 days, and serial murder is killing three or more individuals over a time span of more than 30 days with a cooling-off period between the murders, being anywhere from days, weeks, months, or even many years (Knight, 2006). In this paper, I am going to focus on the latter—serial killers. Many researchers are interested in serial killers, mainly to figure out why these people kill the way that they do. Anderson (1994), compares serial killers to addicts—alcoholics, gamblers, drug abusers, etc.—they all seem to haveShow MoreRelatedSerial Killers And The Serial Killer1566 Words   |  7 Pagesthe serial killer is ultimately unknown, many researchers agree about â€Å"one-half of 1%† of homicides are determined to be the product of serial killers (Homant Kennedy, 2014). 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When? 1946 - now Where? United states Why? Because people don’t just kill/hurt people out the blue and what are the signs of a killer. How? Killers and murders start out when they are young. Thesis Statement: People/kids that abuse animals might abuse you in the futureRead More The Life of Mass Murderer, Henry Lee Lucas Essay1037 Words   |  5 PagesBobit) He confessed to hundreds of murders to prove several points, as well as to delay his death sentence. Lucas lived through a childhood of abuse and neglect. If there is a case that proves a persons childhood is reflected in their later actions this could certainly be one. He was never taught that life had any value and perhaps this led him into a life of crime. (killer index) Henry Lee Lucas was born on August 23, 1936, in Blacksburg Virginia. 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They follow this trail down the stairs into the basement where the smell becomes overwhelming, causing some of the officers to gasp and run back up the stairs. In the basement, they find the remains of several young boys who have been molestedRead MoreLooking for the Drive of A Serial Killer Essay2886 Words   |  12 Pagesfor the Drive of a Serial Killer The minds and the inner workings of a serial killer have been analyzed, investigated, and pondered upon for many years. â€Å"Questions such as what makes his or her mind tick? Does he or she target one fitting victim? What are his or her motives?† are some of the most common that spring to mind. We all hold the power of being aggressive, of encompassing unthinkable and destructive thoughts of â€Å"torture, sadism and murder†, but we do not all become serial murderers (KnightRead MoreNature vs Nurture1880 Words   |  8 Pagesfascination with serial killers. Everything about them is interesting to us. 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Using literature and the aforementioned research questions as a guide, several hypotheses were developed