Control Strategies for the Problem of Serial Killers - Research Paper Example

? Serial Killers Researchers have encountered challenges in tracing the phenomenon of serial killing into ancient historyowing to the absence of sufficient evidence. In the last few decades, there has been sufficient evidence to enable scholars construct character models for serial killers. Presently, majority of the criminologists concur that serial killers emanate from dysfunctional social backgrounds manifesting considerable abuse during childhood. Nevertheless, child abuse remains a common occurrence, which renders it problematic to presume that it leads an individual to become a serial killer. The paper details a literature review of serial killers and an overview on prevention and control strategies for the problem of serial killers. The paper recognizes the centrality of the premise that a serial murderers acts mirror a psychological problem from which patterns can be derived. The psychological assessment of crime scene is pertinent to the development of a profile. The paper concludes the dependence on narrow definitions; creation of typologies based on the outlined definitions, and questionable data gathering may impede or distort the analysis of serial killers. Part I Introduction Empirical evidence indicates that roughly 20% of the murders within the United States yearly may be perpetrated by serial killers; nevertheless, other data sources challenge that the share of serial killers accounted for no more than 300-400 murders every year. A typology of serial killers features: visionary serial killer, who feel impelled to perpetrate murders by visions; mission oriented killer who perceive that it to be their mission in life to kill certain forms of people; hedonistic serial killer who kill for the pure adventure and joy of it; and, power/control killer who derives more satisfaction from exercising absolute power over his or her victims, and sexual activity may be involved. Information on the operation of a serial killer in any community is usually met with political and media pressure in apprehending a suspect quickly. It usually takes repeated killings prior to profile being able to construct an effective character assessment of the killer. Advancements in DNA, as well as other forms of forensic evidence, have aided law enforcement agencies within the quest to connect crimes, aiding them highlight serial killers’ deeds quickly. The question on what makes a serial killer remain widely debated in academic circles. Some people argue that serial killers may be genetically pre-disposed while others think that such behavior emanates from dysfunctional environments. Researchers estimate that 60% of what makes an individual a serial killer is biological while the remaining 40% can be linked to the environment. In the 1960s, J. M. MacDonald, psychologists, highlighted that a majority of future serial killers manifested warning signs during childhood including excessive cruelty to animals, as well as bed-wetting during childhood (Muller, 2000). Furthermore, majority of the serial killers manifest wild fantasies on murder from childhood into adulthood and have a demeanor typified by -self-esteem and experiences of sexual dysfunction. Theoretical background Researchers have instituted methods to profile serial killers, as well as other violent offenders via extensive interviewing and formal psychological testing of known killers. In the U.S., African Americans are over-represented among serial killer compared to their proportion of the American population. Some people argue that African Americans serial killers fail to attain the notoriety of their white counterparts since the media tends to overlook them. Females usually kill for instrument reasons or out of twisted notions of mercy (Mitchell & Aamodt, 2005). Some of the questionable assumptions that drive research in serial killer encompass notions that serial killers are male, notion that killings are not essentially for profit, the notion that victims are stranger, and the notion that the victims are powerless. Serial killing does not have any single cause, but of numerous risk factors interacting in diverse ways. Anomie theory has mainly been applied to elaborate serial killing across centuries. Some of the prominent characteristics of serial killers encompass: low-average IQ; difficulty staying employed and come from unstable families; were frequently abused-physically, emotionally, and/or sexually by a family members; frequently bullied or socially isolated as adolescents or children; manifest predictors of psychopathic; and, some manifest involvement in petty crimes such as vandalism, fraud, theft, or similar offenses (Muller, 2000). Some authors cite aspects of family and developmental theories to elaborate on the phenomenon. The dramatic rise in the number of serial killers within the last half of the 20th century highlights very significant social changes. Two cognitive factors usually imputed to serial killers are powerful feelings of sexual insufficiency and a rich fantasy life. Extreme sexual dysfunction may also yield to deeply entrenched feelings of insignificance and powerlessness, which may originate from incidences of childhood abuse and neglect. A significant number of serial killers examined manifest significant damage to the frontal lobes of the brain. One of the hypotheses presented to explain serial killing details that interplay of genetic factors and abnormal fetal development of the ANS and brain encapsulates the biological component (Mitchell & Aamodt, 2005). The diathesis-stress model stipulates that, all serial killers manifest a congenital susceptibility to think and behave in ways that yield to serial killing, especially in the presence of environmental stressors and traumas as per of gene/environment correlation and gene/environment interaction. According to Diathesis/stress model of serial killing, biological predisposition (occasioned by the prefrontal cortex damage, or low arousal levels) and environmental trauma/stress yields to predisposition self-esteem and self control challenges (sexual dysfunction) (Schneider, Gruman, & Coutts, 2012). Consequently, this leads to maladaptive coping skills recoil into a fantasy world, which in turn, leads to dissociative process and killing. The best way to address the cause, prevention, and control of the problem of serial killers demands: (1) definition of the problem and then reviewing currently knowledge on the problem; (2) exploring the short and long-term trends within reporting practices and incidence levels; and, (3) exploring the characteristics of offenders and victims in cases of serial killers (Palermo & Kocsis, 2004). The phenomenon of serial killing has also been linked to physiological or genetic component such as chemical imbalances, head trauma, and brain malformations, which interplay in the creation of a serial killer. The motivation for killing may center on financial gain, attention seeking, thrill, anger, and sexual fantasies and desires (Schneider, Gruman, & Coutts, 2012). Serial killer may manifest aggressive and antisocial behaviors during childhood, which spiral and take up the elements of sexual sadism in adulthood (Sansone & Sansone, 2009). Since the crimes perpetrated by serial killers are so horrific, majority of people presume that serial killers are insane; nevertheless, majority of serial killers have proved to be sane in courts of law given that the American justice system outlines insanity as the inability to differentiate between right and wrong at the moment of committing the crime. Most psychologists concur that the bulk of serial killers are aware that their crimes are wrong at the time of committing the crime, and also relish the shocking reactions to their crimes by the public (Myers, Reccoppa, Burton, & McElroy, 1993). Law enforcement agencies have attempted to define the motives of serial killers in an effort to minimize such crimes; nevertheless, it remains difficult to apprehend serial killers given that they do not fit the overall profile of murderers. Serial killers regularly select their victims randomly based on opportunity and kill to satisfy a desire that they have rather than the relationship that they have with the victim. For instance, the FBI considers “organized” serial killers to be highly cunning, systematic, and creative in their planning and carrying out of their crimes. “Disorganized” serial killers, on the other hand, are highly impulsive, less capable, less intelligent or less interested in covering up their crimes. They are also highly likely to be loners and may be considered “strange” by the public. The identification of homicide series remains the primary investigative challenge given that historically serial killers may be linked by forensic or behavioral evidence. The identification of a series featuring high risk within multiple jurisdictions can be regarded as much more complex, owing to the high risk lifestyle and the transitory nature of the victims. Moreover, the lack of communication between law enforcement agencies coupled with differing records management systems obstruct the linkage of cases to general offenders (Myers, Reccoppa, Burton, & McElroy, 1993). Hence, law enforcement agencies should network with other investigative agencies by utilizing mechanisms of sharing information, such as online websites, to aid determine other linked cases. References Mitchell, H. & Aamodt, M. G. (2005). The incidence of child abuse in serial killers. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 20 (1): 40-7. Muller, D. A. (2000). Criminal profiling-Real science of just wishful thinking? Homicide Studies, 4 (3): 234-264. Myers, W., Reccoppa, L., Burton, K., & McElroy, R. (1993). Malignant sex and aggression: An overview of serial sexual homicide. Bull Am Acad Psychiatry Law, 21(4): 435-451. Palermo, G. B., & Kocsis, R. N. (2004). Offender profiling: An introduction to the sociopsychological analysis of violent crime. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas. Sansone, R. A. & Sansone, L. A. (2009). Borderline personality and criminality. Borderline Personality and Criminality, 6 (10): 16-20. Schneider, F. W., Gruman, J. A., & Coutts, L. M. (2012). Applied Social Psychology , 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Part II Prevention strategies and control strategies for serial killers Some of the investigative issues and best practices that can be utilized to solve serial murder cases include identification of serial murder series; communication; resource augmentation; task force organization; leadership; analytical tools; data management; administrative issues; training; medical examiners; and, officer assistance programs. High profile investigations herald momentous leadership challenges for law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies may face external pressure from political entities, the media, and victims’ families (Hoover, 2014). Successful serial murder investigations necessitates that the role of supervisors and investigators be clearly delineated. Other strategies that law enforcement executives may consider when preparing the investigations include: completing Memorandum of Understanding between diverse law enforcement agencies so as to gain mutual support agreements and commitment of manpower; availing resources that may be required during the investigation; establish good working relationships via joint training, networking, and scheduled meetings; avail training opportunities as per the latest techniques and methods of homicide investigation; being aware of tunnel vision and impulsivity that may creep in owing to intense pressure associated with high profile investigations; and, the command staff should focus on availing and managing resources investigators required to solve the case (Hoover, 2014). How police can prevent and control serial killers Murder prevention strategies should utilize tools that identify five elements associated with serial killers, namely: victim; offender; means; opportunity; and, motive. Such a model can aid in the establishment of a comprehensive strategy that could impact on criminal homicide in the same way as the crime triangle (offender, victim, and location) utilized as a tool within the development of crime-prevention strategies (Canter, Cofey, Huntley, & Missen, 2000). Focusing on the victim, for instance, could take the form of educating individuals who match the victim profile, by addressing that which makes them especially vulnerable and how to avert that which generates the vulnerability such as places frequented, set of lifestyles, or associates. The objective, in this case, rests on the elimination of the victim element by adjusting behavior via educational or after-school programs, public campaigns, or peer-counseling. Focusing on the means could take the form of a comprehensive program to take away illegally possessed handguns from those fitting the offender profile. The offender element can be broken by implementing diverse gang intervention measures, attempts to control the emerging elements of prison culture, and address prisoner reentry programs. Law enforcement practitioners can effectively address crime and social order within their communities. Law enforcement agencies can successfully mobilize the citizenry to stop killings within their communities given that, homicide is essentially a community problem and solutions to the problem can mainly be found within the community. The investigation of homicides can be regarded as one of the most challenging and exciting of all criminal investigation procedures (Canter, Cofey, Huntley, & Missen, 2000). Training police interrogators on how to correctly and effectively interview suspects can be regarded as the first step in minimizing the number of failed confessions or false confessions. Strategies that courts can utilize to prevent and control serial killers Courts should play a central role in addressing the challenges presented by serial killers in the society. Courts should commit serial killers to civil legal procedure by ordering serial killers with mental illness to follow court-ordered treatment plan while in incarceration (Ismaili, 2011). To better comprehend and study serial killers, police should develop methods of profiling serial killers. Researchers and scholars can play a critical role in formal psychological testing on incarcerated killers so as to come up with basic list of traits. Polygraph testing represents an instrument that measures and compares changes within physiologic activities such as respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, and skin reactions. Correction officers can resort to polygraph testing to determine whether the offender engages in deviant fantasies or other high risk trigger to offending. The polygraph represents a critical component of the “containment approach” to managing serial killers within the community. Present emphasis on the polygraph within the community supervision derives from general appreciation by criminal justice practitioners that polygraph can be a means to overcome sexual offender finely honed social skills and manipulate capabilities that have served them in commissioning and concealing serial murder. Polygraph testing can be useful in detection of serial killers given that; most murder perpetrated by serial killers is sadistically brutal based on the offender’s own enjoyment and psychological satisfaction (Ismaili, 2011). Strategies that corrections can prevent and control serial killers Segregation and quarantine are often viewed as a partial answer owing to safety of others and own safety. Even with quarantine, there is not concrete evidence demonstrating that having serial killers quarantined would generate any form of advantage to the inmate. Programs integrated to aid other offenders of such as counseling, work study, and group programs can be implemented to include serial killers and gain insight into the rehabilitation process. In terms of the role of correctional facilities in the areas of treatment and subsequent reentry, serial killers are unlikely to be paroled early (Geberth, 1990). Corrections should institute multidimensional psychoeducational interventions structured to foster prosocial behavior, especially given that serial killers are chronically aggressive and violent. Corrections can attain this end by instituting programs that develop social skills, moral reasoning, and emotional control (Geberth, 1990). Strategies that the community can prevent and control serial killers Largely, the community appears to possess an almost insatiable and bizarre fascination with, details of murder cases. The manner in which media report murder plays a critical part in molding community attitudes to the crime, as well as the perpetrators. Although, the media remains a valuable tool to any investigation, the media can also place undue pressure on investigations. As such, investigators should be aware that the media is a double-edged sword, which necessitates a strict control over press releases. The community should institute, family centered intervention targeting those at risk of developing problem behaviors (Siegel, 2012). The forming of a task force for serial murder investigation can also be an effective and appropriate approach to the phenomenon. A task force can avail coordinated resources, as well as the professional utilization of homicide investigators. This draws from the fact that serial murder remains the most demanding and challenging of all criminal investigations owing to its intricate and protracted characteristics (Siegel, 2012). The inquiry can be recorded on a computer-based case management system that indexes people and events involved in the investigation. This ensures that all information gained is recorded, which means that there is always an up-to-date manuscript on the status of the investigation. The implementation of case management system that allows logical and structured approach to investigation can aid in the early arrest of serial killers and avert repeated murders. Police investigators ought to be flexible within their attitude and approach to murder investigations with an endeavor to highlight the fact that a serial murderer is operating. Conclusion Some murders are perpetrated only for an offender’s own enjoyment and psychological satisfaction. Majority of killers possesses high numbers of victims and their actions are sadistically brutal. FBI’s criteria for defining a killer as a serial killer entail: kill in three or more than three separate events; kill at three or more separate locations; and, those that engage in an emotional cooling off period between murders. As such, serial murder refers to the killing of three or more victim over a broad period. Finding the triggers through scientific research can play a critical role in preventing and controlling serial murders. The principles of community police and problem solving, and can aid to spark debate to address crime in the society. This draws from the realization that there is a limit to how much law enforcement alone can do to stop killings. The key to closing homicide cases rests on community support and involvement. Communities should seek long-term strategies for preventing the persistent violence associated with serial killers. References Canter, D., Cofey, T., Huntley, M., & Missen, C. (2000). Predicting serial killers’ home base using a decision support system. Journal of Qualitative Criminology, 16 (4): 16-3. Geberth, V. J. (1990).The Serial Killer and the Revelations of Ted Bundy. Law and Order, 38 (5):72-77. Fisher, B., & Lab, S. P. (2010). Encyclopedia of victimology and crime prevention. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Hoover, L. T. (2014). Police crime control strategies. New York, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. Ismaili, K. (2011). U.S. criminal justice policy: A contemporary reader. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning. Siegel, L. J. (2012). Criminology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Read More