lali2002 asked this question on 3/5/2000:

Hi, I have to do a Research project on Serial Killers, im not sure how to start it, all i find is examples of them. Nothing really intresting. i was wondering if anyone can help with absolutely anything. I'm trying to maybe, discover something unknown, or simply a way to make my project different and unique. My thesis sentence is.. Although serial killers' actions stem from their early childhood, they should still be held accountable for their crimes. Any opinions, facts or ideas, will be really appreciated. Thanks Lali

d_ottr gave this response on 3/11/2000:

Remember not to focus singularly on the criminal aspect, but also look to the root, ie the psychological aspects of serial killers. I know it sounds kind of strange, but sit and watch "Silence of the Lambs," and pay particular attention to some of the statements made by Starling and her boss. They are pretty close on a lot of things, which indictes good research on the part of the screenwriter. FBI Behavioral Sciences would be a good place to start. I had a book once on the psychology of Serial Killers, but loaned it and never got it back. I know there are books out there on the subject, as well as web sites. Thesis preparation is rather extensive, so do not limit yourself, and remember to be objective and look at the subject from several angles.

lali2002 asked this follow-up question on 3/12/2000:

Hey thanks, a lot, i was meaning to watch silence of the lambs since it reflects ted bundy's story, the problem with my thesis is my teacher wants us to take a side,, and im not sure what, see i know many of them had problems as a child,however , many didn't and still killed, i don't think the family's should be blamed for, the problem with my research is, i wanted to know their motives, but its not a "side" see my teacher would probably want something like The motives are..bla bla bla, and therefore its proven that they rn't crazy, something along those lines, if you could help me write a better thesis i'd be most grateful. THanks a lot for the info. Lali

d_ottr gave this response on 3/12/2000:

It would be nearly impossible to categorize serial killers in one way or another. The motives for killing can often be associated with different aspects of the crime. For instance, was there a similarity between the victims? Dahmer killed other male homosexuals. Was he homophobic, was he victimized by a homosexual at some point in life, or did he kill them to keep his own little dirty secret? Same with john Wayne Gacy, another homosexual killer who preyed on young boys. Ted Bundy sought attractive women as victims. There are conceivably dozens of serial killers operating in the US as we speak. It is up to a keen investigator to seek out similarities and put it all together. As far as a thesis goes, try and narrow it to, as above, killers who had a similar motive such as Gacy and Dahmer. And does Son of Sam maybe fit in? Spurned by a lover, is that why he targeted couples?

Next, maybe examine if the killer committed the crime perhaps as a means of exerting power over his victims. In most cases, females are sexually assaulted by males who have a problem with control. Is this killer or that killer a control freak? Is the killer a ritualistic killer? Is his killing a means to an end (sacrifice)? There are many, many angles that need investigated for your thesis. You may want to try and select just a few subjects with things in common. Remember to use historical killers like the Boston Strangler, Jack the Ripper, and others too. There may be a lack of data on them, but there are generalities that may help as well.

If youu need more help, let me know. You can contact me directly at dottrz@alltel.net, or at work at dott@psp.pa.state.us. Good Luck!

Cpl. Don Ott PA State Police Meadville 11176 Murray Rd. Meadville, PA 16335 (814)332-6911

d_ottr gave this follow-up answer on 3/12/2000:

Lali,

Also, please don't forget to rate my answers! I need the points!

I just checked your profile. I had the impression that you were a college student maybe working on a doctorate, but I see you are still in high school. It does not make any difference in my response to your questions; it may make resources a little tighter for you, though. In virtually any subject matter the Internet has opened so many doors of resources. Remember to use the FBI Human Behaviors site, if available (I have not checked it out, but if it is there, it may be a great help). Find out what the newspapers in the areas had to say about the killers: Son of Sam, New York Times, etc....Dahmer, Mulwaukee; Gacy, Chicago.

I would argue with my instructor that fact that he/she wants you to chose a side. I think that a subject like this can only be approached objectively, from the middle of the road. My bottom line is, no matter what has happened to a person which touchy-feely social services types would tend to use as justification, every person is ultimately responsible for their own actions. Just because my father whipped the crap out of me when I was a child does not mean that I should get away with the same thing. In my opinion (which may differ from youer teacher's) you should look at the motives, similarities of the victims, and the methods he used to dispatch his victims (in police terms, that is the MODUS OPERANDI). Draw your comparisons from there. Compare the personal data: age, education, occupations if any, parental relationships, things like that.

Things keep popping into my mind about this. If I think of anything else, I will recontact you.

Cpl. Ott

The average rating for this answer is 5.

lali2002 rated this answer a 5.

THanks, a Lot, and let me know if you get anymore ideas.