Serial Killer Facts, Myths & Traits

In 1987, there was a record number of serial killers operating in the US. Using the “two or more
murderers definition,” there were 189 serial killers in 1987. Using the “three or more murders
definition,” the number stood at 128.

The most common killing methods of serial killers are strangulation and shooting.

The US has the highest number of serial killers by far. By September 4, 2016, there had been as
many as 3,204 of them.

Almost 70% of female serial killers act for financial gain. In contrast, only 28.8% of male serial
killers were motivated by financial gain.

According to the FBI, more than 70% of serial killers experienced problems related to substance
abuse. While only a few serial killers were actually addicted to alcohol and substances, many of
them encountered them in their youth

Five myths about serial killers 1
Serial killers are only motivated by sex. All serial murders are not sexually-based. There are
many other motivations for serial murders including anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention
seeking.
All serial murderers travel and operate interstate. Most serial killers have very defined
geographic areas of operation. They conduct their killings within comfort zones that are often
defined by an anchor point (e.g. place of residence, employment, or residence of a relative).
Serial murderers will, at times, spiral their activities outside of their comfort zone, when their
confidence has grown through experience or to avoid detection. Very few serial murderers travel
interstate to kill.

1 Serial Murder Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators. FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit-2 National Center for the
Analysis of Violent Crime. As retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-
murder#:~:text=However%2C%20attendees%20did%20identify%20certain,with%20the%20psychopathic%20personali
ty%20disorder.

Serial killers cannot stop killing. It has been widely believed that once serial killers start
killing, they cannot stop. There are, however, some serial killers who stop murdering altogether
before being caught. In these instances, there are events or circumstances in offenders’ lives that
inhibit them from pursuing more victims. These can include increased participation in family
activities, sexual substitution, and other diversions.
All Serial killers are insane or are evil geniuses. Another myth that exists is that serial killers
have either a debilitating mental condition, or they are extremely clever and intelligent. As a
group, serial killers suffer from a variety of personality disorders, including psychopathy, anti-
social personality, and others. Most, however, are not adjudicated as insane under the law.

All serial killers are white males. Contrary to popular belief, serial killers span all racial
groups. There are white, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian serial killers.

Five general traits of a serial killer
The traits listed here are not necessarily the traits of all serial killers. These are among the most
common. Serial killers are complex and there is no single set of traits that can be applied to all
serial killers in general
The FBI identified the following traits as common to some serial killers. 2
Sensation seeking. This personality trait leads to seeking out risky and intense, even dangerous
situations.
Lack of remorse or guilt, A person who lacks empathy may be unable to understand or relate
to other people's feelings, problems, or life situations. These persons lack guilt or remorse.
Impulsivity. Impulsive persons act without thinking or without considering the impact of their
behavior.
Need for control.  These persons are unable to control impulses or behaviors,. They often feel
helpless or hopeless.
Predatory behavior. Predatory behavior includes that characterized by exploitation,
manipulation, or harm of others for personal gain, satisfaction, or gratification. This behavior
2 Serial Murder Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators. FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit-2 National Center
for the Analysis of Violent Crime. As retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-
murder#:~:text=However%2C%20attendees%20did%20identify%20certain,with%20the%20psychopathic%20personali
ty%20disorder.

often involves deceit, aggression, or manipulation to take advantage of vulnerable individuals
or situations.
The psychology of serial killers: Unraveling the minds of notorious criminals. 3
Serial killers have fascinated and horrified society for decades. The psychological study of serial
killers offers insights into the intricate web of factors that contribute to their aberrant behavior.
This article aims to unravel the minds of these notorious criminals, exploring their psychological
profiles, motivations, and patterns of behavior. Serial killers with psychopathic traits tend to
display callousness, lack of remorse, and an ability to deceive others effortlessly. Both
psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder contribute to a lack of remorse or guilt, which
can facilitate the commission of serial killings.
Many serial killers have experienced adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or
witnessing violence. These early traumas can contribute to the development of psychopathology
and shape the distorted worldview and social detachment exhibited by serial killers. Power and
control often drive their actions, as serial killers derive a sense of dominance and superiority
from exerting power over their victims. Some killers may also be motivated by sexual
gratification, with sexual fantasies and paraphilic interests intertwined with their acts of violence.
Fantasies play a significant role in the lives of serial killers. These fantasies provide an outlet for
their inner desires and can escalate in intensity over time. Serial killers often engage in a process
of "fantasy reinforcement," where their violent thoughts become more elaborate and consuming,
eventually leading to the actualization of their fantasies through murder.
Serial killers typically exhibit patterns in their victim selection and escalation. These patterns can
provide important insights into their psychological makeup. Serial killers often choose victims
who fit certain criteria or characteristics, such as physical appearance, age, gender, or
occupation. These criteria may be linked to the killer's fantasies, past experiences, or underlying
psychological needs.
Over time, serial killers may escalate their behavior, seeking increased thrill and satisfaction
from their crimes. This escalation can manifest in various ways, including an increase in
violence, frequency of killings, or a shift in the type of victims selected. The psychological
factors driving this escalation can be related to a need for greater control, a desire to challenge
law enforcement, or a personal need for recognition and notoriety.

3  Magdalen C. The psychology of serial killers: Unraveling the minds of notorious criminals. Addict Criminol.
2023;6(4):163. As retrieved from https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/the-psychology-of-serial-killers-unraveling-the-
minds-of-notorious-criminals-26136.html#corr 10 March 2025