Many serial killers are survivors of early childhood trauma of some kind – physical or sexual abuse, family dysfunction, emotionally distant or absent parents. Trauma is the single recurring theme in the biographies of most killers As a consequence of this trauma, they suppress their emotional response.
There are several different variations of genes that are thought to be potentially linked to serial killer behavior. The main gene referenced in pop culture as the serial killer gene is not an extra gene but rather the mutation of a gene we all have.
All serial murders are not sexually-based. There are many other motivations for serial murders including anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention seeking.
It is in all likelihood the case that a mix of genetic qualities and life experiences may expand an individual's inclination to turn into a serial killer. As such, genetics, environment, trauma, and personality are different variables that collectively drive serial killer conduct.
According to the website UberFacts: “Seventeen serial killers were born in November, compared with an average of nine for other months, out of a total of more than 100 in the study. Those born in November are most likely to believe they get a raw deal. A 2005 study found that they grow up to be the most pessimistic.”
The most prolific modern serial killer is arguably Dr. Harold Shipman, with 218 probable murders and possibly as many as 250 (see "Medical professionals", below).
He was born in 1998 in the village of Mushahar in Bihar. He has murdered three people. Sada committed the first murder at the age of 7.
In The Anatomy of Violence, criminologist Dr. Adrian Raine says that, “Genetics and environment work together to encourage violent behaviour.” Therefore, it seems like there are various factors namely, genetics, environment, trauma and personality traits that contribute to the making of a serial killer.
This showed that criminal psychopaths had decreased connectivity between the amygdala—a brain region that processes negative stimuli and those that give rise to fearful reactions—and the prefrontal cortex, which interprets responses from the amygdala.
'Potentially, a significant proportion of mass or serial killers may have had neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD (autism spectrum disorder) or head injury.
The triad links cruelty to animals, obsession with fire-setting, and persistent bedwetting past the age of five, to violent behaviors, particularly homicidal behavior and sexually predatory behavior.
The average person has an IQ of around 95-105. The average serial killer, according to The Serial Killer Information Center, has an IQ of 94.5. Slightly below the lower side of average.
He examined the police records and where possible, interviewed both the murderers and their 107 surviving victims. Based on his research, victims have only a 15.9% chance of surviving once a serial killer begins an assault or abducts them.
Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer is a British true crime television series, made by FirstLookTV. It examines the crimes of various serial killers and speculates what may have made them kill. The show regularly features psychologists Linda Papadopoulos, Glenn Wilson, and journalist Paola Totaro.
In a normal person, the left side of the brain has more activity than the right- side. The brain of a serial killer also has lack of activity in the prefrontal cortex that is responsible for personality and cognitive behaviors. Serial killers go through a different thought process than the average person.
Genetic Risk Factors
There is no “psychopathy gene,” but research tells us that psychopathy tends to run in families. Even if a parent does not have psychopathy, they may carry one or more genetic variants that increase their child's chance of developing psychopathy.
As a psychoanalyst, Stone's specialty is personality disorders so it is not surprising that most of the mass murderers in his study were diagnosed with antisocial, psychopathic, narcissistic or paranoid personality disorder.
Serial killers almost always lack remorse. Most of the time, though, lack of remorse is directly related to a killer's lack of empathy. If you're unable to empathize with someone who is afraid or in pain, you aren't going to feel much (if any) remorse about ending that person's life.
The child may feel more and more anxious and helpless as they continue the behavior. This can contribute to them wetting the bed more often. Bedwetting is often linked to stress or anxiety.
With over 329.5 million people living in the States, this means that serial killers make up between 0.0006-0.0012% of the population. Active serial killers only account for 0.000015%.
The research predicted that nature and nurture are prime factors to a serial killer's mind. Results portrayed in the research showed that individuals with the MAOA gene are more prone to violence than those without it. As well as both nature and nurture are necessary in understanding criminal behavior.
Anywhere from 25-50 serial killers are walking around in the USA right now. It's estimated that there's somewhere around 25-50 serial killers that are active each year in the US. 2… You will walk past 36 murderers in your lifetime.
Sister Agatha: The World's Oldest Serial Killer by Domhnall O'Donoghue - Book Tour. Sister Agatha is 118 years of age, whose vim and vigour would put the most robust athletes to shame.