Forensics - Chapter 7 Criminal Psychology Psychopathy and Serial KillersST

Psychopathy

Distinctive pattern of psychological, interpersonal, and neurophysical traits including little empathy, emotional deficits, and frequent lying.

Sociopath

Engage in repetitive crime, have a sense of morality, and show genuine empathy for others despite criminal behavior.

Antisocial behavior

Actions that violate social norms and disregard the rights of others, often seen in both psychopaths and sociopaths.

Serial Murder

Separate killings of a number of people over time (at least 3), with periods of 'cooling off' between murders.

Mass Murder

Killing of at least 3 people at one location with no cooling off period.

1st degree murder

The unlawful killing of another human with premeditation and malice aforethought.

Instrumental violence

Injury of an individual secondary to acquisition of some other goal.

Visionary Serial Killer

Motivated by delusions or hallucinations that compel them to kill.

Hedonistic Serial Killer

Kills for pleasure, excitement, or thrills; includes lust and thrill killers.

Power-Control Serial Killer

Kills for the satisfaction of total control over life and death of the victim.

Cool Off Period

The interval of time between separate killings by a serial killer.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Known as the Milwaukee Cannibal; committed dismemberment, cannibalism, and necrophilia.

Ted Bundy

A prolific serial killer who murdered over 30 women across multiple states, often using charm to lure victims.

Edward Gein

Notorious serial killer who robbed graves and created items from body parts; found unfit for trial.

Dennis Rader (BTK Killer)

Murdered 10 people between 1974 and 1991, taunted police, was caught through DNA evidence.

Gary Leon Ridgeway (Green River Killer)

Murdered 40 to 70 women, mostly sex workers; caught using DNA technology.

Multiple Murder

Killing multiple individuals, may refer to spree or mass murders.

4 Factor Approach to Psychopathy

Includes interpersonal, impulsive lifestyle, affective, and antisocial tendencies.

Reactive/Expressive Violence

Physical violence triggered by a hostile reaction to a perceived threat.

Manslaughter

Unintended killing of another person, often due to mitigating factors.

Hostile Attribution Bias

Tendency to interpret others' actions as harmful, even when they aren't.

Triarchic Model of Psychopathy

Includes boldness, meanness, and disinhibition as personality factors associated with psychopathy.