Organization

There is the disorganized killer and the organized killer.  Most serial killers(about 3/4) are organized and their victim counts seem to be higher, that is also because they are usually above average intelligence.  The disorganized offender is lonely and his murders usually display his anger, most are of a low IQ and suffer from some mental disorder, the killing is not planned and is a usually spur of the moment thing.  It should also be noted that some serial killers display both the characteristics of a disorganized and organized killer, these killers are typed as being 'mixed'.  The characteristics do not apply all of the time but they are usually 3/4 applicable to the organization of the killer.   These are the basic typologies -

Method

Organized Killer(eg. Gacy, Bundy) -

• Will use a car in good condition for transport to the crime scene(this may be used later for transport of the victim, dead or alive).

• Plans out the murder(may become accustomed to using it quickly).

• Will bring a 'rape kit'(rope, handcuffs, chloroform etc) if desired.

• Personalizes himself with the victim(talks, leads, captures etc. the victim into/for planned murder situation).

• Rape, torture etc. may take place before murder, for the killers own gratification.

• The murder may be a long and delayed process to fufill the killers planned fantasy.

• Is aware of evidence left at crime scene(which may cleaned, destroyed etc).

• Might move the body to hide, bury it etc. in an attempt to evade/delay discovery.

• Killer will not be involved further with the victim's body, but may take articles, jewellery etc. for trophy or gain.

• May be further interested in the crime(eg.taking part in a victim hotline), or may communicate with police, media, or relatives of the victim.

Disorganized Killer(eg. Berkowitz, Chase ) -

• Usually walks to and from the crime scene, may use a car but the car will be in bad condition.

• Murder usually happens spur of the moment(with no planning but the one simple objective to kill).

• Does not bring any tools('rape kit') to the kill except maybe murder device.

• No contact with the victim prior to spur of the moment murder.

• No rape, torture etc. will take place before murder.

• The murder will be a blitz style attack, fast and furious.  The victim may sustain many wounds as a high degree of violence takes place.

• Does not care for evidence usually left at the crime scene.

• Will not move body in an attempt to hide, bury it etc., unconcerned of its discovery.

• Killer might be involved further with the dead victim(mutilation, necrophilia, cannibalism, etc) and may also take souvenir(death/ fetishism).

• Will take no or very little interest in the crime after it has been committed.

In Their Younger Life

These are the keypoints in a serial killers younger life, such as his childhood, family and school life, etc.

Organized Killer -

• Father has steady and stable employment.
• Lack of discipline.
• May be disruptive, externalizes hurt, anger and pain.
• May have been a bully or hanged with the wrong crowd.
• May have been good at school work, but will never finish school.
• Will be very intelligent, may have a high IQ.

Disorganized Killer -

• Fathers work is unstable.
• Discipline is harsh.
• Family has problems with drugs, alcohol, mental illness, etc.
• May be the silent type and internalizes hurt, anger and pain.
• Will be of low intelligence.
• Will not finish school as they are terrible at it.

Lifestyles

These are the keypoints in a serial killers life after their youth and when they are killing or may soon do so.  These keypoints also apply to homosexual serial killers as I did refer to the keypoints as heterosexuals but homosexual serial killers are also applicable.

Organized Killer -

• Will appear good looking.
• May have a criminal record or be known to do outrageous acts.
• Will have a job above menial labor.  Their behaviour may get them fired.
• Murder is triggered by stress.
• Feel superior to other people, believe themselves to be very smart, may have a good confidence.
• Will be good at sex but are unable to sustain normal, long term relationships.
• Will have good verbal skills and may be a good con artist.
• Will be interested in the crime after it has been committed(media, etc).
• May have an anger towards women in general or the society as a whole.
• Many are rapists or woman beaters.
• May have failed to apply into the military or got in and been discharged.
• Like to see themselves in a position of power over people, maybe acting as a policeman when hunting for victims.

Disorganized Killer -

• May appear unattractive, they usually have a poor self image.  They believe themselves to be inadequate because of this.
• May have a disability, mental illness or physical ailment.
• They are loners, withdrawn from society.
• Incapable of relationships.
• Incapable of sexual relations or may be very poor at it.
• Feel inferior to other people.
• Will live with a parent(most likely single), or may be living alone.
• Underachievers, most of low intelligence.  They accept that they are underachievers.
• Will have a menial job(will be unable to get along with co-workers).
• Murder is triggered by mental illness.
• Takes no or very little interest in the crime after it has been committed.
• Will have tried to get into the military with no success.
• Maybe would have spent some time in a mental institution.
• Living arrangements are very dirty and poor.
• Will hate women in general.

Bibliography - 'Whoever Fights Monsters' by Robert K. Ressler & Tom Shachtman.

Go Back