Psychological Profile of a Serial Killer

The phenomenon of serial killings has long fascinated psychologists, psychiatrists, criminologists, and the general public. What is especially intriguing is that people who often appear completely normal to those around them are capable of committing brutal, seemingly unmotivated murders. In recent years, there has been a clear trend toward an increase in such crimes. While the average rate of serial killings in Russia is quite low, the highest number of these crimes occurs in the United States, with statistics rising steadily from north to south. The United States can rightfully be called the leader in the number of known serial killers. Names like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy are recognized worldwide. These individuals even have their own fans, and the “cult of maniacs” is especially prevalent in the U.S., where you can buy bags, T-shirts, and even watches featuring “celebrity” serial killers. It is worth taking a closer look at this phenomenon from a psychological perspective to understand what drives people to commit such monstrous and even grotesque crimes.

Definition and Types of Serial Killers

The term “serial killer” was introduced into criminology by one of the FBI’s most famous profilers, Robert Ressler. He is often called the modern Sherlock Holmes for his incredible insight in identifying and describing killers after reviewing case materials or crime scenes. In the 1970s, Ressler’s main goal was to create profiles of potential criminals, trying to penetrate the subconscious of the killer and understand their motives. Based on his observations, he developed psychological profiles of offenders.

In 1970, while working on a case, Ressler coined the term “serial killer.” According to his definition, a serial killer is a criminal who commits more than three murders over a period of more than 30 days, with periods of emotional cooling-off in between. The motivation for these murders is usually the psychological satisfaction of the killer.

Ressler continued to analyze the behavior of such criminals, identifying common patterns in their development and actions. He determined that each killer has their own unique “signature,” which includes their choice of weapon, crime scene, victim, method, time of day, and other factors. He identified two main types of serial killers: organized nonsocial and disorganized asocial.

Organized Nonsocial Serial Killers

• High intelligence, sometimes reaching genius-level IQ (e.g., Edmund Kemper had an IQ of 150 and now assists police in profiling criminals).
• Self-controlled and composed.
• Well-groomed, attentive to appearance, home, and car.
• Sociopaths who reject and despise society, maintaining relationships with only a small circle.
• Can be charming and make a good impression; often described as good family men by friends and acquaintances.
• Personalizes victims, preferring to use cunning rather than violence (e.g., Ted Bundy, who charmed dozens of young women).
• Has a specific victim type or appearance preference; sometimes targets a particular individual.
• Plans crimes in advance, considering all details such as location, weapon, and how to hide evidence.
• Often binds victims and uses intimidation to control them.
• May torture victims before killing them, fulfilling sadistic fantasies (e.g., Robert Berdella), though sometimes the goal is simply murder (e.g., David Berkowitz).
• Takes steps to eliminate evidence, may dismember or hide bodies, and sometimes poses them as a message.
• May return to the crime scene (e.g., Gary Ridgway).
• Can contact or cooperate with police, and is focused and strategic during interrogations.
• Improves methods over time, becoming harder to catch, and may even stop killing to avoid capture (e.g., the Zodiac Killer).

A classic example of an organized nonsocial killer is Ted Bundy, whose charm, intelligence, and ability to make a good impression made him one of the most infamous serial killers in history.

Disorganized Asocial Serial Killers

• Low or below-average intelligence; often mentally challenged.
• Mentally ill and socially rejected due to odd behavior; may live off relatives or the state and be registered at psychiatric clinics.
• Unable to form relationships, especially with the opposite sex.
• Often experienced a traumatic, abusive childhood.
• Socially maladapted and rejected by society.
• Neglects personal hygiene and living conditions.
• Commits crimes spontaneously, without planning or attempting to destroy evidence.
• Kills near home or work.
• Depersonalizes victims; uses whatever weapon is at hand.
• Keeps mementos of victims, such as diaries, photos, or recordings.
• May write letters to victims’ families or the police.
• Lacks self-awareness and understanding of their crimes.

A classic example is Richard Chase, the “Vampire of Sacramento,” whose psychological profile was created by Robert Ressler. Despite obvious mental illness, Chase ended up in prison, where he committed suicide out of fear of a “Nazi conspiracy.”

Motives of Serial Killers

Serial killers can also be classified by their motives. While there are specific categories, it’s important to note that a killer may not fit neatly into just one type or have only one motive.

1. Hedonists: Kill for pleasure, seeing murder as a way to satisfy their needs. There are three subtypes:
   • Sexual: Kill for sexual gratification, whether the victim is alive or dead. Examples: Jeffrey Dahmer, Kenneth Bianchi, Dennis Nilsen, John Wayne Gacy.
   • Destroyers: Inflict suffering for its own sake, not necessarily involving sexual acts. Examples: Clifford Olson, Vladimir Ionessian.
   • Materialistic: Kill for personal or financial gain, often using poison. Examples: H. H. Holmes, the Gonzalez sisters, Mary Ann Cotton.
2. Power Seekers: Their main goal is control and domination over the victim, often stemming from childhood abuse. Examples: Ted Bundy, Paul Bernardo, Sergey Golovkin.
3. Visionaries: Kill under the influence of hallucinations or “orders” from God or the Devil. Examples: David Berkowitz, Herbert Mullin.
4. Missionaries: Kill to “improve” the world, often targeting prostitutes, homosexuals, or people of different religions. These killers are usually not mentally ill. Examples: Ted Kaczynski, Sergey Ryakhovsky.

The “Mask of Normality” and Modus Operandi

What allows some serial killers to evade justice for decades? How can people described as upstanding citizens by friends and family commit such brutal crimes? Many serial killers, especially those of the organized nonsocial type, can lead double lives for years. Outwardly, they may seem intelligent, educated, and law-abiding, but reality is very different. This phenomenon is called the “mask of normality,” defined as artificial behavior aimed at conforming to societal norms. It is most often seen in organized nonsocial serial killers, though rarely in asocial types.

The topographic model of the human psyche includes three levels:

• Unconscious: The deepest part, consisting mainly of instincts and repressed memories.
• Preconscious: Experiences that can be recalled with effort, mostly unused experience.
• Conscious: Current experiences and adherence to social norms.

Instincts and needs arising in the unconscious are blocked at the preconscious level due to rules and prohibitions in the conscious. These blocked impulses are released gradually through defense mechanisms like sublimation and repression, ensuring socially acceptable behavior. Serial killers, however, lack these defense mechanisms. Their release of unconscious energy occurs directly during the crime, not gradually. This is why they are often seen as ideal spouses and parents by those around them.

The “mask of normality” is thus a state of psychological stability that arises after a single release of unconscious energy. There are several types:

• Well-expressed mask: Well-adapted to society, may have a good job and family, often with higher education. Examples: Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Anatoly Slivko, Paul Bernardo, John Wayne Gacy, H. H. Holmes.
• Moderately expressed mask: Unremarkable in society, may be seen as odd but harmless. Examples: Sergey Golovkin, Vasily Kulik, Clifford Olson, Edmund Kemper.
• Poorly expressed mask: Antisocial, visibly mentally ill, may be registered at psychiatric clinics. Examples: Richard Chase, Henry Lee Lucas, Richard Speck, Alexander Spesivtsev.

The type of mask can also be inferred from where the killer meets their victims. For example, Ted Bundy met women in crowded college campuses, Jeffrey Dahmer in bars and clubs, while Henry Lee Lucas sought victims on highways or near forests.

The “mask of normality” is closely linked to a killer’s modus operandi. Achieving psychological stability in a single act is possible only by following a precise set of circumstances, which is why a serial killer’s modus operandi is stereotypical and repetitive—it is the optimal way to achieve the “mask of normality.”

There is a common myth that every serial killer wants to be caught and therefore makes a fatal mistake. In reality, the need to achieve psychological stability through a single release of unconscious energy leads to the atrophy of defense mechanisms. The killer becomes disoriented in social norms, not intentionally provoking the police but simply losing touch with societal prohibitions.

Common Personality Traits of Serial Killers

Despite differences, serial killers share certain traits. Most are white males aged 20-30, committing crimes near their home or workplace. 88% are men, 85% are white, with an average age of 28-29. 62% kill only strangers, while another 22% kill at least one stranger. 71% commit crimes within a specific area, with fewer traveling long distances.

Hervey Cleckley identified 16 main behavioral characteristics of psychopathic serial killers (mainly organized nonsocial types):

• Charm and intelligence
• Absence of hallucinations or irrational thinking
• No neuroses or psychoneurotic experiences
• Unreliability
• Deceitfulness and insincerity
• Lack of remorse or shame
• Unmotivated antisocial behavior
• Poor judgment and inability to learn from mistakes
• Pathological egocentricity and inability to love
• Weak emotional responses
• Distractibility
• Indifference in relationships
• Inappropriate behavior with or without alcohol
• Rarely follow through on suicide threats
• Promiscuous sexual life
• Lack of life goals and inability to follow routines

Serial killers also tend to have low social adaptability, dissatisfaction with their place in society, impulsiveness, infantilism, narcissism, introversion, aggressiveness, suspiciousness, and vindictiveness. Narcissism is present to some degree in everyone, but in serial killers, it is much more pronounced. According to Theodore Millon and Roger Davis, pathological narcissism is more common in societies that promote individualism. Narcissists feel anxiety rather than guilt, lack empathy, and see others as objects to support their self-esteem or provide other benefits.

Serial killers may keep “trophies” from victims, often body parts, sometimes consuming them to “merge” with the victim. Murder is a way to achieve a sense of dominance. They feel no sympathy for victims and are characterized by disharmonious infantilism, unable to empathize or focus on anything but their own experiences and interests. Their psychological defense mechanisms are primitive, and they cannot handle the idea of being abandoned.

Narcissists believe everyone is as selfish as they are, so they see murder as acceptable, thinking anyone would kill if given the chance. If caught, they blame society, others, or culture, never themselves. Their narcissism prevents them from forming real connections, leading to ideas that everyone is hostile toward them, which in turn breeds suspicion and isolation. Thus, when committing violence, they believe they are defending their honor.

Serial killers do not recognize social norms and values; they may follow laws or instructions not out of understanding, but simply to avoid punishment.