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

flightofpain gave this response on 3/11/2000:

I did a research paper in college on serial killers. There are some good books out by a couple of guys who helped develop the FBI Profiler Unit, John Douglas (Mindhunter and others) Robert Ressler (I Have Lived in the Monster and others). Also there are a few others I know of that are less easy reading: Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton L. Samenow. Also you can download information on Kip Kinkel (the first hugely publisized school killer from www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/kinkel There may be a shorter web address but I don't know it. Kip may not have been a sociopath, but his story does show what can happen when we ignore what is going on with the kids today. Most serial killers may have had problems in childhood, but it is my belief they already have something wrong with them, probably biologically or chemically, that causes them to continue to kill. I guess there may be some childhood incident that began a serial killer's career, but I firmly believe that there is more that is chemical or biological that allows him to continue. Jeffrey Dahlmer and his father have both said that he did not have a bad childhood. There were two guys, back in the thirties or forties who both came from very rich, important families who chose to kidnap a neighborhood five year old boy just to see if they could "plan the perfect crime". They ended up killing the boy, but continued to try to get money from the parents. Leopold and Loeb were their names. Lots of really nutty people out there--but not all are sociopathic. Flightofpain

flightofpain gave this follow-up answer on 3/11/2000:

Oops I meant to clarify that leopold and Loeb were caught and put in prison, but who knows what might have happened if they were not caught. Although their families were rich and important (They hired Clarence Darrow!) there was alot of neglect in their lives. They also were both of a genius IQ, one a follower, one a leader, each as involved as the other. flight of pain

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