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| psychology of serial killers: The Psychology of Notorious Serial Killers Todd Grande, 2021 What drives serial killers to commit their horrific crimes? Are sex crimes really motivated by sexual desire? Why do some killers stop killing, while others escalate? The science of personality theory has advanced dramatically in recent years, shedding new light on the inner workings of these criminals. In this book, professional counselor Todd. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Psychology of Serial Killer Investigations Robert D. Keppel, William J. Birnes, 2003-10-07 Serial killers like Seattle's Ted Bundy, Maryland's Beltway Sniper, Atlanta's Wayne Williams, or England's Peter Sutcliffe usually outsmart the task forces on their trail for long periods of time. Keppel and Birnes take readers inside the operations of serial killer task forces to learn why. What is the underlying psychology of a serial killer and why this defeats task force investigations? This is the first book of its kind that combines state-of-the-art psychological assessment experience with the expertise of a homicide investigator who has tracked some of this country's most notorious serial killers. The author also brings to the book hands-on best practices gleaned from the experience of other task forces. Readers, both professionals and students, will benefit from the comprehensive and critical case reviews, the analysis of what went wrong, what went right, and the after-action recommendations of evaluators in the US, UK, and Canada. The book covers: * The nature of the psychology of a serial killer * How crime assessment profiling reveals that psychology * Why psychological profiles fail * How serial killer task forces defeat themselves * How the media can, and usually does, undermine the task force operation * The big secret of all serial killer investigations: police already have the killer's name * The best practices for catching a serial killer* Comprehensive case reviews of some of the US's and UK's most baffling serial killer cases* A list of best practices for serial killer task force investigators* Recommendations for how to manage comprehensive files and computer records* Practical advice on how to manage the media: what to say and not to say* Insight into what a serial killer might be thinking and doing to stay away from police* Recommendations for setting up and administering long-term investigations* Practical tips on how to maintain a task force's psychological edge and avoid defeatism |
| psychology of serial killers: American Evil Eric Cullen, 2020-09-30 American Evil deals with the ‘sordid’ world of serial killers, their calculating methods and distorted thinking, based around the author’s ground-breaking work as a prison psychologist, government advisor and consultant to three TV series including Voice of a Serial Killer. Based on clinical experience of killers. Includes a selection of USA/UK serial killer studies. Exposes police and other failings and shortcomings and the perversity of ‘defences’, ‘excuses’, etc. Strongly critical of USA gun laws and attitudes or perspectives making for an unhealthy environment, moral vacuum and lack of official/individual awareness and responsibility. The book describes how the author was ‘so profoundly moved’ by his inescapable conclusions about how serial killers are ‘made’ that he was compelled to set out his findings. Bemoaning the serial killer ‘growth industry’, ‘unhealthy interest’ and ill-informed comment he sets the record straight. Serial killers are made not born. But his central polemic is that serial killers are one of several malign human by-products of a dysfunctional modern permissive society, overwhelmingly American, brought about by modern-day culture in the USA, lax moral standards as also reflected in other countries to the extent that they pursue a comparable way of life. |
| psychology of serial killers: Modern-Day Serial Killers Don Rauf, 2015-12-15 Ted Bundy, BTK, Lonnie Franklin Jr. (the Grim Sleeper), and Anthony Sowell (the Cleveland Strangler)what made these men into serial killers? Examination by authorities and professionals has given some insight into the minds of these serial killers and others, and psychology students will learn about the most current psychoanalysis of these modern-day murderers. The text also includes a personality disorder self-assessment quiz readers can take to learn more about psychopathythe most common psychological condition for serial killers. |
| psychology of serial killers: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers Katherine Ramsland, 2006-08-30 There are many cultural myths about serial killers, often propagated even by mental health professionals. Many assume there is a profile of a serial killer, that serial killers always go for the same victim type or always use the same MO, that they are more clever than ordinary people, and that they are inevitably charming and attractive. The truth is not as simple as that. There are different types of serial killers, and while there are many books that discuss the serial killer phenomenon especially in relationship to victim types or context, researchers have not yet been able to come up with a definition, or type, that covers the broad spectrum of serial killers and their complex psychological dynamics. Ramsland looks at the variety of serial killer types, illustrating that it is difficult to accurately depict these elusive, intriguing, and dangerous killers. There are many cultural myths about serial killers, often propagated even by mental health professionals. Many assume there is a profile of a serial killer, that serial killers always go for the same victim type or always use the same MO, that they are more clever than ordinary people, and that they are inevitably charming and attractive. The truth is not as simple as that. There are different types of serial killers and while there are many books that discuss the serial killer phenomenon especially in relationship to victim types or context, researchers have not yet been able to come up with a definition, or type, that covers the broad spectrum of serial killers and their complex psychological dynamics. Ramsland looks at serial killer types, illustrating that it is difficult to accurately depict these elusive, intriguing, and dangerous killers. This book examines a variety of serial killers, from sexual predators to psychotic killers, from murder teams to odd eccentric stalkers, in order to present the distinct psychological dynamics that set serial killers apart from other violent murderers. Among the motives addressed are lust, control, glory, profit, thrill, delusions, rage, the desire for company, the need to please a partner, and even murder as an intellectual exercise. Serial killers live double lives, hiding their violence even from those who live with them, so along with a study of motives are chapters devoted to how close associates have described killers, including parents, siblings, co-workers, lovers, and survivors. There is no profile of a serial killer, and this book establishes that in vivid and frightening detail. |
| psychology of serial killers: Historical Serial Killers Don Rauf, 2015-12-15 Containing profiles of several of the most famous serial killers throughout history such as Jack the Ripper and H. H. Holmes, this in-depth analysis of the killers minds, behavior, and actions will surely intrigue any psychology student. Comprehensive text explains the life and crimes of these prolific killers from history, and a personality disorder self-assessment quiz will give readers insight into psychopathythe most common psychological condition for serial killers. |
| psychology of serial killers: A Killer by Design Ann Wolbert Burgess, 2021-12-07 Written by the forensic nurse who transformed the way the FBI profiles and catches serial killers, this thought-provoking book takes an intimate look at the creation of the Behavioral Science Unit–the inspiration for Hulu’s Mastermind documentary. In the 1970s, the FBI created the Mindhunters (better known as the Behavioral Science Unit) to track down the country's most dangerous criminals. In A Killer By Design, Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess reveals how her pioneering research on sexual assault and trauma helped the FBI capture some of history’s most violent offenders, including Ed Kemper (The Co-Ed Killer), Dennis Rader (BTK), Henry Wallace (The Taco Bell Strangler), and Jon Barry Simonis (The Ski-Mask Rapist). This book pulls us directly into the investigations as she experienced them, interweaving never-before-seen interview transcripts, crime scene drawings, and her personal insight about the minds of deranged criminals and the victims they left behind. Haunting and deeply human, A Killer By Design forces us to confront the age-old question that has long plagued our criminal justice system: What drives someone to kill, and how can we stop them? As Featured on ABC 20/20 One of Amazon's Best True Crime Books A Best Book of the Month Pick for Amazon (December 2021) An Apple Audio Must-Listen (December 2021) |
| psychology of serial killers: Female Serial Killers Don Rauf, 2015-12-15 From Lady Elizabeth Bathory to Bell Gunness to Aileen Wuornos, this book takes an in-depth approach to evaluating the life and crimes of some of the worlds most vicious women, who are grouped into chapters by psychological type. Readers can also take a personality disorder self-assessment quiz to learn more about psychopathythe most common psychological condition for serial killers. |
| psychology of serial killers: Serial Murder and the Psychology of Violent Crimes Richard N. Kocsis, 2008-01-08 This book brings together an international collection of research literature on the topics of criminal profiling and serial violent crime by integrating the respected insights of both scholars and practitioners from around the globe. It explains etiological factors and psychological mechanisms to reveal criminal motives. |
| psychology of serial killers: Serial Killers Colin Wilson, Peter Haining, 2008 Real life stories of chilling killers |
| psychology of serial killers: Female Serial Killers Peter Vronsky, 2007-08-07 In this fascinating book, Peter Vronsky exposes and investigates the phenomenon of women who kill—and the political, economic, social and sexual implications buried with each victim. How many of us are even remotely prepared to imagine our mothers, daughters, sisters or grandmothers as fiendish killers? For centuries we have been conditioned to think of serial murderers and psychopathic predators as men—with women registering low on our paranoia radar. Perhaps that’s why so many trusting husbands, lovers, family friends, and children have fallen prey to “the female monster.” From history’s earliest recorded cases of homicidal females to Irma Grese, the Nazi Beast of Belsen, from Britain’s notorious child-slayer Myra Hindley to ‘Honeymoon Killer’ Martha Beck to the sensational cult of Aileen Wournos—the first female serial killer-as-celebrity—to cult killers, homicidal missionaries, and our pop-culture fascination with the sexy femme fatale, Vronsky not only challenges our ordinary standards of good and evil but also defies our basic accepted perceptions of gender role and identity. INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS |
| psychology of serial killers: Cannibal Serial Killers Nicki Peter Petrikowski, 2015-12-15 From Albert Fish to Jeffery Dahmer, these cannibals represent the most horrific parts of the human psyche. This text provides psychology students with in-depth examinations by professionals of the factors that create, motivate, and often lead to the capture of these savage killers. Readers can also take a personality disorder self-assessment quiz to learn more about psychopathythe most common psychological condition for serial killers. |
| psychology of serial killers: Why We Love Serial Killers Scott Bonn, 2014-10-28 For decades now, serial killers have taken center stage in the news and entertainment media. The coverage of real-life murderers such as Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer has transformed them into ghoulish celebrities. Similarly, the popularity of fictional characters such as Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter or Dexter demonstrates just how eager the public is to be frightened by these human predators. But why is this so? Could it be that some of us have a gruesome fascination with serial killers for the same reasons we might morbidly stare at a catastrophic automobile accident? Or it is something more? In Why We Love Serial Killers, criminology professor Dr. Scott Bonn explores our powerful appetite for the macabre, while also providing new and unique insights into the world of the serial killer, including those he has gained from his correspondence with two of the world’s most notorious examples, David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”) and Dennis Rader (“Bind, Torture, Kill”). In addition, Bonn examines the criminal profiling techniques used by law enforcement professionals to identify and apprehend serial predators, he discusses the various behaviors—such as the charisma of the sociopath— that manifest themselves in serial killers, and he explains how and why these killers often become popular cultural figures. Groundbreaking in its approach, Why We Love Serial Killers is a compelling look at how the media, law enforcement agencies, and public perception itself shapes and feeds the “monsters” in our midst. |
| psychology of serial killers: Real-Life Monsters Stephen J. Giannangelo, 2012-07-06 This book presents an in-depth psychological analysis of the development of the serial killer personality that will fascinate all readers, from the experienced criminology student to the casual true-crime reader. Real-Life Monsters: A Psychological Examination of the Serial Murderer takes a different approach than most titles on a similar topic: the author develops and proposes an original psychological explanation, rather than simply repeating some of the long-held theories for these criminals' heinous actions. The work addresses current issues, presents detailed commentary and personal observation, and contains photographs that will fascinate general readers interested in the subjects of true crime, serial killers, and psychopathology. The first part of the book carefully examines the research past and present regarding clinical, psychological, societal, and biological bases for violent behavior, specific to the serial murderer. Part two establishes a novel theory of the pattern of violence and then explores this hypothesis through eight case studies, interviews with serial killers, and elemental analysis. The work also contains a chapter based on conversations between the author and a convicted serial murderer. |
| psychology of serial killers: Criminal Psychology Shawn Becker, 2016-12-02 Criminal Psychology Learn what goes on in the Criminal Mind of a Serial Killer HALL OF FAME / TOP 10 REVIEWER J. Chambers Gave this book 4 stars! Scroll down to read his review! Get Inside The Twisted Mind of a Serial Killer! To the untrained eye, a serial killer looks just like any other member of the public. They wear the same clothes, they eat the same food and they go about their daily lives, as any normal person would do. But there is a difference in them, which is unquantifiable; it is the deadly secret that all serial killers hide from the outside world. If they weren't able to conceal this secret so well, many cold-blooded killings could have been prevented. So if we could see deep within their souls and spot the things that made them the way they are, maybe we could stop them from becoming serial killers in the first place. With this book, I aim to get inside the mind of a serial killer, to show what makes them tick and to see if there are any personality traits that are the same across the wide range of different serial killers there have been through time. Finally, I will take a look at the top 5 serial killer personalities and 10 of the most famous serial killers in history. This will give us an insight into the mind of a serial killer and a better understanding of the things that turn people into cold and calculating killing machines... Do you find Serial Killers interesting? Would you like to get a glimpse inside the mind of a serial Killer? Then Get this Book NOW! Criminal Psychology: The Criminal Mind of a Serial Killer Related Topics: Dark Psychology, Criminal mind, Criminal profiling, understanding criminals, sociology, criminology, victimology. |
| psychology of serial killers: Serial Killer Groupies RJ Parker, 2014-12-26 This book delves into the twisted psychology of women attracted to some of the most notorious monsters on the planet, giving true crime readers real insight into this phenomena One of the most common reasons given by women who date serial killers is the fact that they ‘see’ the little boy that the horrible man once used to be, and they believe that they can nurture that kid, hence removing the cruel and harmful nature of the killers and making them amicable again. Known as ‘serial killer groupies’ or even ‘prison groupies’ by some, a great number of these women have shown a surprising desire to get connected to the serial killer of their choice. A large number of these women have become directly aligned with these killers, and some have even married these hardened criminals. Groupies will do almost anything to get close to the prisoner that they are attracted to. They give up jobs, family, spend money on him, and even move across country to be in the same town as him. Some SKG's are attracted to the celebrity status they acquire. They go on talk shows to announce their undying love for the serial killer and proclaim that he was not capable of these killings. This book depicts several such cases and you'll meet some of these SKG's. If you seek to understand or study the unexplainable, this book may be your key to some grasp of what is beyond imagining....why some women love serial killers! -- (Bernard Lee DeLeo), bestselling author of over twenty-five novels The obsessed groupies of predators such as Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker) are just as fascinating as the serial killers they love. Best-selling author RJ Parker offers powerful insights into the needs, motivations and dark desires of women who pursue and sometimes marry the most infamous killers in history. This powerful psychological examination of these women is not to be missed. Well researched, Parker sheds new light on the curious sub-culture of groupies in his new true crime book, SERIAL KILLER GROUPIES -- (Scott Bonn, PhD) Professor, criminologist and author of Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the World's Most Savage Murderers |
| psychology of serial killers: The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers Michael Newton, 2006-02 The Encyclopaedia of Serial Killers, Second Edition provides accurate information on hundreds of serial murder cases - from early history to the present. Written in a non-sensational manner, this authoritative encyclopaedia debunks many of the myths surrounding this most notorious of criminal activities. New major serial killers have come to light since the first edition was published, and many older cases have been solved (such as the Green River Killer) or further investigated (like Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer). Completely updated entries and appendixes pair with more than 30 new photographs and many new entries to make this new edition more fascinating than ever. New and updated entries include: Axe Man of New Orleans; BTK Strangler; Jack the Ripper; Cuidad Juarez, Mexico; John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, the Sniper Killers; Gary Leon Ridgway, the Green River Killer; and Harold Frederick Shipman. |
| psychology of serial killers: Alone with the Devil Ronald Markman, 1990 |
| psychology of serial killers: SERIAL KILLERS William M. Harmening, 2014-09-01 Whether it be Jack the Ripper in nineteenth-century England or Ted Bundy in 1970s America, the public has always been fascinated by the criminal offender type known as the serial killer. Professionals continue to speculate and develop new theories about their identity decades after their crimes ended. But what is it that causes such evilness in individuals that causes them to take an innocent life, not once but multiples times, and for no apparent reason beyond their own perverse psychological gratification? This fascinating book explores this question by looking at the psychosocial determinants of criminal behavior, including serial murder. The role of such internal processes as attachment, moral development, and identity formation in the development of a person’s predisposition to various forms of deviance, including physical and sexual aggression, is reviewed. This information is then applied to actual serial killers, including David Berkowitz (The Son of Sam), Charles Manson, Eric Rudolph (God’s Crusader), Ted Bundy (The Face of Evil), Edmund Kemper (The Co-ed Killer), and the Zodiac Killer, in an effort to construct a psychosocial profile of each and to attempt to pinpoint the various developmental factors that contributed to their eventual criminality. Finally, early intervention strategies are explored that can potentially redirect a child’s developmental trajectory away from crime and deviance, and toward a more adaptive and socially acceptable behavioral repertoire. This book will be an insightful resource to all law enforcement professionals, policymakers, police academics, psychologists, psychiatrists, and many others in the helping professions as well. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Serial Killers Colin Wilson, Donald Seaman, 2011-05-31 As the number of serial killers worldwide has risen steadily - from the emergence of Jack the Ripper in 1888 to Harold Shipman and Ivan Milat, the backpacker killer of the Australian outback - the need to understand mass murder is becoming more urgent. Using privileged access to the world's first National Centre for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Colin Wilson and Donald Seaman bring you this incisive study of the psychology of serial killers and the motives behind their crimes. From childhood traumas to issues of frustration, fear and fantasy, discover what turns an ordinary human being into a compulsive killer. |
| psychology of serial killers: Inside the Minds of Healthcare Serial Killers Katherine Ramsland, 2007-08-30 In 2004, Charles Cullen was arrested and charged in the deaths of more than 30 patients in his care. Crossing several jurisdictions in seven counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he was stopped after a fifteen-year spree at ten institutions. While many people do not think of healthcare workers as serial killers, their profession is disproportionately represented among the serial killer population, and they tend to be more prolific than other serial killers, having more opportunities, better cover, and easy alibis. Healthcare professionals who kill have learned how to exploit the atmosphere of trust in the healthcare community and to hasten deaths that may go unnoticed in an already vulnerable arena. This book delves into the world of the healthcare serial killer, looking at the special characteristics of the different groups of murderers, the motives, the methods, and the outcomes. Crime specialists have long suspected that many healthcare serial killers have gone undetected. Because it is easier to cover up their crimes, it is harder to uncover that a crime has even been committed. Here, Ramsland identifies some of the warning signs that a serial killer may be on the loose in a healthcare setting. Further, she offers suggestions for reform in the healthcare and criminal justice communities that would help identify potential killers before they have a chance to strike, or strike again. Using numerous real-life cases in every chapter, she provides a fuller picture of this most deadly type of serial killer and helps readers understand how they work, and how they can be stopped. |
| psychology of serial killers: Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers Katherine Ramsland, 2005-01-30 Since the first recorded U.S. case of mass murder in 1949, massacres have been increasing each decade, with workplace violence taking the lead as the most common form. The psychology of the killers, however, differs from that of spree, serial, or situational murderers. Based on a review of mass murders, the author argues that the red flags of a developing mass killer are obvious and predictable, and people who learn to recognize them may be able to defuse a potentially violent situation before it occurs. Using details from various cases, she examines the different kinds of mass murders, from visionary to family to workplace, and the distinct psychological dynamics of the different types of murders. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Serial Killer Whisperer Pete Earley, 2012 From New York Times bestselling author Pete Earley comes the true story of a young man who suffers a traumatic brain injury that renders him incapable of judging or feeling repulsion, and subsequently becomes the most trusted confidant of numerous imprisoned serial killers-- |
| psychology of serial killers: Mass and Serial Murder in America Christine M. Sarteschi, 2016-08-18 This timely reference examines the psychological and social phenomena of mass and serial murder, bringing scholarly depth to a frequently sensationalized subject. Its review of the literature features case studies of serial and mass murderers to expand on salient theories of evil, with biopsychosocial profiles highlighting core personality traits, particularly malignant narcissism, associated with psychopathy and its often deadly outcomes. The author’s insightful analysis separates misconceptions from reality, poses questions for critical thinking and discussion, and offers realistic suggestions for prevention. Public fascination with these violent figures—the mystique of serial killers and their popularity in the entertainment media—is explored as well. Included in the coverage: · Public interest in mass and serial murder. · Concepts of evil: where it comes from, and why people kill. · Mass murder: classification, motivation, and typologies. · Serial murder: motivation and typologies. · Current trends in prevention, and areas for improvement. · Plus instructive case studies, both famous and less-known. Mass and Serial Murder in America is illuminating reading for undergraduate and graduate students and practitioners in social science disciplines such as criminal justice, criminology, social work, psychology, forensic psychology, and related fields. It will also find an audience among educators teaching courses in these areas, as well as interested laypersons. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Mind of a Murderer Katherine Ramsland, 2011-02-02 This unique history of the last 100 years of criminal psychology shares insights about infamous murderers from the psychiatrists and other trained psychological professionals who analyzed and treated them. The Mind of a Murderer: Privileged Access to the Demons That Drive Extreme Violence presents a series of cases in which a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor gained privileged access to a mass or serial murderer, going beyond the typical mental assessment to learn more about criminal behavior. Through their work, readers are granted a unique view of criminology and a better understanding of the criminal mind. The book opens with the earliest professional observations of criminals in the late 19th century and goes on to explore the rudimentary behavioral profiling and case analysis of the early 20th century. It shows how, by the 1960s and 1970s, behavioral professionals recognized the need for intense study of extreme offenders and got close to the likes of Richard Speck, John Wayne Gacy, and Ted Bundy to gain a fuller picture of their psychological development. Finally, readers learn how today's behavioral professionals rely on neurobiological correlates to assess predatory, impulsive, and addictive behavior. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds Katherine M. Ramsland, 2010 The bestselling author of The Forensic Science of C.S.I. examines the real-life cases behind the hit television series Criminal Minds Week after week, the hit TV show Criminal Minds gives viewers a look inside the psyches of the fictional serial killers tracked by the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit). This elite team of FBI agents travels the country assisting law enforcement officials by examining the crime scene, profiling the perpetrator, and aiding in arrest and interrogation. In this book Katherine Ramsland reveals how reality differs from fiction and how forensic psychologists actually use their knowledge of human behavior and motivations as consultants in criminal investigations-as well as detailing the real cases that influenced some of Criminal Minds 's most memorable episodes. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Human Predator Katherine M. Ramsland, 2013 When we think of serial killing, we tend to think of it as a perversion of contemporary society. The Human Predator makes an eye-opening case for the existence of serial killers throughout time--the motives and methods, the societies that spawned them, and the historical periods in which they lived . . . and killed. From Ancient Rome and the Dark Ages to the open roads of America, from the exploits of French religious zealot Gilles de Rais to such high-profile monsters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Aileen Wuornos, Katherine Ramsland offers a complete chronological record of the serial-killer phenomenon--and the parallel development of psychology, forensic science, and FBI profiling in the serial killer's evolving manifestation throughout human history. INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS |
| psychology of serial killers: The Cycle of Violence Revisited , 1996 |
| psychology of serial killers: Forensic Psychology: A Very Short Introduction David Canter, 2010-06-17 Discusses all aspects of psychology relevant to the legal and criminal process, including the role of mental disorders in crime, the minds of serial killers, and offender profiling. |
| psychology of serial killers: A Need to Kill Michael W. Cuneo, 2011-03 Describes how sixteen-year-old Alec Kreider murdered his best friend, Kevin Haines, and Kevin's parents, Tom and Lisa, for no apparent reason, and showed no remorse for the brutal crime. |
| psychology of serial killers: Understanding Sexual Serial Killing Frederick Toates, Olga Coschug-Toates, 2022-06-02 This book provides an integrative and jargon-free understanding of the phenomenon of sexual serial killing to a wide readership. |
| psychology of serial killers: Catch Me a Killer Micki Pistorius, 2023-11-14 ‘Serial killers experience the power over life and death as omnipotence … When I interrogate a serial killer, I dive into the abyss of his soul.’ From 1994 to 2000, when South Africa was a young democracy, the country was stalked by a succession of brutal serial killers. Psychologist Micki Pistorius became the first profiler for the South African Police Service, playing a vital role in identifying and interrogating these killers, as well as training detectives nationally and in other countries. She broke ground with her theory on the origin of serial killers and is considered a trailblazer in her field. Catch Me a Killer details the cases she worked on – from the Station Strangler and the Phoenix Cane Killer to Boetie Boer and the Saloon Killer. The book also features legendary detectives such as Piet Byleveld and Suiker Britz, as well as the FBI’s Robert Ressler. Released alongside a major TV series based on the book, this new edition of Catch Me a Killer includes a new chapter and up-to-date information about some of the cases, such as the parole of Norman Afzal Simons in 2023. This is essential reading for all true crime aficionados. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Casebook of Forensic Detection Colin Evans, 2007-08-07 “Brilliant and persistent scientific work that brought murderers like John List, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey MacDonald to justice.”—Publishers Weekly “Landmarks of forensic science [that] are representative of the evolution of the discipline and its increasingly prominent role in crime solving.”—Library Journal Modern ballistics and the infamous Sacco and Vanzetti case. DNA analysis and the 20th century’s most wanted criminal—the hunt for Josef Mengele. “The Iceman”—a contract killer and one-man murder machine. Scientific analysis and history’s greatest publishing fraud—the Hitler Diaries. How the “perfect crime” can land you in prison. In a world so lawless that crimes must be prioritized, some cases still stand out—not only for their depravity but as landmarks of criminal detection. Updated with new material, this collection of 100 groundbreaking cases vividly depicts the horrendous crimes, colorful detectives, and grueling investigations that shaped the science of forensics. In concise, fascinating detail, Colin Evans shows how far we’ve come from Sherlock Holmes’s magnifying glass. Although no crime in this book is ordinary, many of the perpetrators are notorious: Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, John List, Bruno Hauptmann, Jeffrey Macdonald, Wayne Williams. Along with the cases solved, fifteen forensic techniques are covered—including fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, DNA analysis, and psychological profiling. Many of these are crime fighting “firsts” that have increased the odds that today’s techno sleuths will get the bad guys, clear the innocent—and bring justice to the victims and their families. |
| psychology of serial killers: Stuff You Should Know Josh Clark, Chuck Bryant, 2020-11-24 From the duo behind the massively successful and award-winning podcast Stuff You Should Know comes an unexpected look at things you thought you knew. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant started the podcast Stuff You Should Know back in 2008 because they were curious—curious about the world around them, curious about what they might have missed in their formal educations, and curious to dig deeper on stuff they thought they understood. As it turns out, they aren't the only curious ones. They've since amassed a rabid fan base, making Stuff You Should Know one of the most popular podcasts in the world. Armed with their inquisitive natures and a passion for sharing, they uncover the weird, fascinating, delightful, or unexpected elements of a wide variety of topics. The pair have now taken their near-boundless whys and hows from your earbuds to the pages of a book for the first time—featuring a completely new array of subjects that they’ve long wondered about and wanted to explore. Each chapter is further embellished with snappy visual material to allow for rabbit-hole tangents and digressions—including charts, illustrations, sidebars, and footnotes. Follow along as the two dig into the underlying stories of everything from the origin of Murphy beds, to the history of facial hair, to the psychology of being lost. Have you ever wondered about the world around you, and wished to see the magic in everyday things? Come get curious with Stuff You Should Know. With Josh and Chuck as your guide, there’s something interesting about everything (...except maybe jackhammers). |
| psychology of serial killers: The Wisdom of Psychopaths Kevin Dutton, 2012-10-16 Psychopath. The word conjurs up images of serial killers, rapists, suicide bombers, gangsters. But think again: you could probably benefit from being a little more psychopathic yourself. Psychologist Kevin Dutton has made a speciality of psychopathy, and is on first-name terms with many notorious killers. But unlike those incarcerated psychopaths, and all those depicted in movies and crime fiction, most are not violent, he explains. In fact, says Prof Dutton, they have a lot of good things going for them. Psychopaths are fearless, confident, charismatic and focused--qualities tailor-made for success in today's society. The Wisdom of Psychopaths is an intellectual rollercoaster ride that combines lightning-hot science with unprecedented access to secret monasteries, Special Forces training camps, and high-security hospitals. In it, you will meet serial killers, war heroes, financiers, movie stars and attorneys--and discover that beneath the hype and popular characterization, psychopaths have something to teach us. Like the knobs on a mixing deck, psychopathy is graded. And finding the right combination of psychopathic traits, sampled and mixed at carefully calibrated volumes, can put us ahead of the game. |
| psychology of serial killers: Dark Dreams Roy Hazelwood, Stephen G. Michaud, 2002-10-13 Dark Dreams explores the minds of the insidious and perversely creative criminals profiler Roy Hazelwood has encountered. He reveals the methods of tracking them, catching them, bringing them to justice, and perhaps impossibly, understanding them.--[book cover]. |
| psychology of serial killers: The Criminal Mind Katherine Ramsland, 2002-06-22 A guide for writers, which examines the fundamentals of psychology and law, theories of criminality and character disorders that can lead to criminal behavior. Annotation. Forensic psychologist Ramsland describes the work of forensic psychology with reference to real life cases, literature, and visual media. Her main purpose seems to be to encourage writers to treat forensic psychology with as much accuracy as possible. She illustrates the practice of psychology with examples from fictive media, but points out where they stray from the actual practice of the field. Chapters cover psychology and the law, theories of criminality, types of character disorders, psychological assessment, the psychologist as expert witness, mental states at the time of the offense, crime control, treatment and rehabilitation, juveniles and crime, the psychologist as consultant or investigator, and ethics. |
| psychology of serial killers: Criminal Shadows David Canter, 1994 Every crime casts a unique shadow that may be interpreted to lead the police to the criminal responsible. This book looks at offender profiling that helps the police to identify and track individual criminals by the nature of their crime. |
| psychology of serial killers: Base Instincts Jonathan H. Pincus, 2002 A groundbreaking exploration of the origins of violent behavior. Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Andrew Cunnanenthese notorious killers shocked the world with horrifying stories of rampant murder and abuse. Neurologist Jonathan Pincus probed the lives of numerous serial killers and other violent criminals to find out what triggers the violent instinct. Working with psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis, he investigated their family backgrounds and medical history, discovering that virtually all the murderers themselves suffered severe abuse as children, which permanently damaged their developing brains. In these gripping, terrifying stories, Dr. Pincus finds that violent criminal behavior cannot be attributed solely to geneticsrather, it is the catastrophic product of a brain that may be predisposed to violence by neurologic damage and mental illness coupled with an abusive environment. Focusing on these critical factors, how can we identify potentially violent persons from a young age before the damage becomes irrevocable? How can we rehabilitate violent criminals and at the same time safeguard against their committing future crimes? |
Psychology - Wikipedia
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. [1] [2] Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both …
Psychology | Psychology Today
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It arose as a discipline distinct from philosophy in the late 19th century. The mind is so …
Psychology | Definition, History, Fields, Methods, & Fa…
May 9, 2025 · psychology, scientific discipline that studies mental states and processes and behaviour in humans and other animals.. The …
8 Psychology Basics You Need to Know - Verywell Mind
Jun 25, 2024 · Clinical psychology: Clinical psychologists provide mental and behavioral health care and often provide consultation to …
What Is Psychology?
Sep 3, 2024 · Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, according to the American Psychological Association. …
Psychology - Wikipedia
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. [1] [2] Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both conscious and unconscious phenomena, and …
Psychology | Psychology Today
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It arose as a discipline distinct from philosophy in the late 19th century. The mind is so complex and so dynamic—it is changing as you read ...
Psychology | Definition, History, Fields, Methods, & Facts
May 9, 2025 · psychology, scientific discipline that studies mental states and processes and behaviour in humans and other animals.. The discipline of psychology is broadly divisible into …
8 Psychology Basics You Need to Know - Verywell Mind
Jun 25, 2024 · Clinical psychology: Clinical psychologists provide mental and behavioral health care and often provide consultation to communities, as well as training and education. If you …
What Is Psychology?
Sep 3, 2024 · Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, according to the American Psychological Association. Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes …
28 Main Branches of Psychology
Jan 23, 2025 · Counseling psychology, like clinical psychology, is devoted to diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health issues. This branch of psychology takes a special focus on …
Science of Psychology - American Psychological Association (APA)
Applied psychology and the science of psychology benefit society. Psychologists conduct basic and applied research, serve as consultants to communities and organizations, diagnose and …
Psychology: Definitions, branches, history, and how to become one
Feb 1, 2018 · Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior, according to the American Psychological Association. It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects …
What Is Psychology? – Introduction to Psychology
Psychology courses deal with a number of issues that are helpful in a variety of settings. The text made mention of the types of skills as well as the knowledge base with which students of …
Chapter 1. Introducing Psychology – Introduction to Psychology
Chapter 1. Introducing Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior.The word “psychology” comes from the Greek words “psyche,” meaning life, and “logos,” meaning …
