Serial Killer Definitions

FBI def (douglas et al)

3 or more separate events in 3 or more separate locations w/ emotional cooling off period. serial murder is hypothesized to be premeditated, involving offense-related fantasy and detailed planning

FBI new def

unlawful killing of 2 or more victims by the same offender in separate events

national institute of justice (pierce brooks)

a series of 2 or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not always by one offender acting alone. the crimes may occur over a time ranging from hours to years. quite often the motive is psychological, and the offender’s behavior and the physical evidence observed at the scene will reflect sadistic, sexual overtones.

steve egger

commit a second or subsequent murder. generally no prior relationship between vic and attacker. subsequent murders are at different times and have no apparent connection to the initial murder, are usually committed in a different geographical location. motive is not for material gain and is for the murderer’s desire to have power or dominance over his vics. vics may have symbolic value for the murder and/or are percieved to be prestigeless

the less dead

steve egger. differentiates between respectable vics and those of lesser social value. these victims are marginalized and socially devalued - the social reaction to their loss is muted as a result of their low social value. sk who amass large body counts usually victimize these people

holmes & holmes

someone who murders 3 persons in more than a 30 day period. these killings typically involve one vic per episode

stephen giannangelo

repetitive, cyclical activity. usually associated with a buildup of tension, committing the crime, and a cooling off period. actual numbers are unimportant; what is relevant is the compulsion to repetitively commit the crime

fox & levin

string of 4 or more homicides committed by one or a few perpetrators that spans a period of days, weeks, months or even years

hickey

created a def encompassing intent in 80’s that distinguished him from other experts. any offender who through premeditation killed 3 or more vics over a period of days, weeks months or years

fox, levin & fridel

formally defined serial killers as individuals who killed 4 or more victims separated by a cooling off period of at least 24 hours

wannabe or potential serial killers

2 vics

typical serial killers

3-7 vics

prolific serial killers

8+ vics

oxford

repeatedly commits the same offense, typically following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern.

congress

series of 3 or more killings not less than one of which was committed in the US, having common characteristics such as to suggest a reasonable possibility that the crimes were committed by the same actor or actors