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Running head: COMPARING FEMALE AND MALE SERIAL KILLERS

Comparing Female and Male Serial Killers Senior Seminar 12/4/17

Abstract

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Running head: COMPARING FEMALE AND MALE SERIAL KILLERS

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This research paper will reflect on the comparison between female and male serial killers. I will compare and contrast the characteristics between both sexes. I will analyze the following topics about female and male serial killers: multiple sides of the issue, cross-cultural issues, problem linked to psychological theorist, and specific psychological theories. Using the criminal justice research database, I have acquired multiple articles with different perspectives about the ongoing topic. In this research paper you will learn about the differences in motives, personality characteristics, reasoning behind the killings, venue, weapons, rates, number of victims and team killings within both sexes.

Today, in the 21st century, it is still very taboo for a woman to be labeled a serial killer. When researching female serial killers, I quickly noticed the lack of research done on female

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killers. The majority of research essentially involves the male serial killer. A trending topic within research is if a female killer acts alone or in partnership. In Heather Lynn Silvio(2006), Theoretical consideration of Female sexual predator serial killers in the United States, Silvio finds a distinction between women acting alone versus in partnership. Several theories suggested and explained that the behavior of women in teams includes shared psychotic disorders (Silvio.,2006). The psychotic disorders were Stockholm syndrome, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Battered Woman Syndrome, and Gender Role Socialization. Each case had one similarity; A gender role socialization appeared to be the most inclusive, explaining the participation of women in teams, as well providing insight into societal responses to female serial killers (Silvio.,2006). The conclusion of the analysis revealed that how society responds to violent women greatly impacts the violent women. Silvio states that society’s denial that women can commit willful acts of violence may impede society’s attempts to understand and prevent violence both by female serial killers and by violent women in general (Silvio.,2006). In the Meagen Hildebrand and Scott Culhane article; Personality characteristics of the female serial murderer, information was collected by four female serial murder perpetrators and an investigation on their personality features that make the female serial killer unique was compared. Hildebrand and Culhane researched the personalities of female serial murderers through data collection from the offenders themselves. The media plays a crucial part when it comes to the knowledge of female serial killers. The media’s portrayals of women who kill family members for profit and healthcare workers who kill patients have led to the increasing scholarly focus on female serial murderers (Hickey,2010;Kelleher and Kelleher,1998). The data that was collected was from a project which applies for participation from incarcerated people suspected of serial murders. Each participant was screened to make sure that

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they met the definition of a serial murderer. The survey packet contained the demographic, psychopathology, psychopathy, and personality features. The findings showed that three of the four participants did not appear to be psychopathic, which is not surprising given the low incidence of psychopathy in women (Hildebrand et al.,2015). In this study, Inmate A who was referred to as the Angel of Death/Solo Healthcare killer, was a nurse aide. Inmate A started her killing at the age of 34 and it is suspected that she is responsible for the deaths of 20 patients under care and attempting to murder another five individuals. Inmate A’s weapon of choice was an intravenous (IV) drug used to paralyze the respiratory systems in patients (Hildebrand et al.,2015). When looking over the results of the scales used to collect the information of the participants the scales revealed Paranoia, Depression, Schizophrenia, and Social Introversion. Inmate A showed elevations on scales 1 which was for Schizoid, Avoidant, Self-Defeating, Paranoia, Anxiety, and Delusional Disorder. Inmate B who was also referred to as the Angel of Death/Solo Healthcare Killer was a registered nurse at a nursing home. Inmate B started killing at the age of 39. She confessed to killing two elderly patients who were terminally ill. Inmate B killed both patients with potassium overdoses through an injection into the patients’ feeding tubes. Inmate B displayed elevations on one clinical scale, Depression. Inmate B had also an elevation on one content score, Social Discomfort. She also showed elevation on two supplementary scales, Repression and Overcontrolled Hostility (Hildebrand et al.,2015). Inmate C was a solo killer, she killed her newborn daughter and husband. Inmate C, had elevations of Depression, Psychopathic Deviate, Paranoia, Schizophrenia, and Social Introversion. Inmate C also had elevated scores on seven content sales, Depression, anger, type a-behavior, self-esteem, social discomfort, family problems, and negative treatment indicators. In

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the supplementary scales she showed MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Addiction Acknowledgement Scale, Marital Distress Scale and Hostility. Inmate C showed elevation on scales Schizoid, Avoidant, Depressive, Negativistic, Self-Defeating, Schizotypal, Alcohol Dependence, Borderline, Paranoid, and Post-Traumatic Stress. Finally Inmate D was a heterosexual team killer. Inmate D started her murderous activities at the age of 17. Inmate D showed elevation on four clinical scales: Hypochondriasis, Psychopathic Deviate, Paranoia, and Schizophrenia. Inmate D also showed elevations on Compulsive, Drug Dependence, and Social Discomfort. Overall, the study was limited because of the small sample size, although, it provided the first data set of valid psychological measures collected through first hand accounts with female serial murderers (Hildebrand et al.,2015). Although the data presented did not display a single comprehensive profile indicative of a female serial murderer, it does provide foundation for further research(Hildebrand et al.,2015). Although, male serial killers differ from woman serial killers on a psychological, cultural, and preferential standpoint. Psychologically, referring to personality, motives, and etiology, statistically speaking, male serial killers are said to be more aggressive and socially recognized. Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dhamer all fit the criteria for what the general public knows a serial killer is and “should be”. For example, the typical serial killer is a white male who acts alone to satisfy perverse sexual fantasies and has a need to kill (Newton,2006). Many serial killers have operated like Bundy, Gacy, or Dhamer, but there were those whom decided to pair up with another person to carry out their murders (Leonard.,2014). Gillian Leonard in an exploratory study of paired serial killers; pairing motive, and criminalistic behavior discusses how many studies of serial killers have largely ignored an important facet of serial homicidal behavior the paired serial killers (Leonard.,2014).

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Previous studies have shown that paired serial killers can be family members, friends, people in a sexual relationship, or complete strangers. According to the crime classification manual (2007), paired serial killers are placed into a type of “group cause homicide” known as the “group-excitement type” (Douglass, Burgess, Burgess, & Ressler,pg.257). The groupexcitement type is defined as “involving two or more persons who cause the death of an individual (as a ) result from some emotional and chaotic confrontation” (Douglass,et.al.,2007,pg 257). The researched will be done by using case studies conducted on the following sets of paired serial killers: Fred and Rosemary West, Leonard Lake and Charles Ng, Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono, and Gwendolyn Graham and Cathy Wood. Research showed that there is a dominant and submissive partner in each pair which allows their killing bond to strengthen and thrive after each kill (Leonard.,2014). Their relationship feeds on the thrill of death, bonding them even closer together than the sexual or familial ties that they have already established. Paired serial killers establish deep and unique bonds with one another (Leonard.,2014). The reasoning of why they do kill is still a mystery . Leonard believes that the future research on paired serial killers should focus heavily on the psychological bonds that paired serial killers develop. In Linda Marie Papazian; Literature review on the personalities and patterns of serial killer, you get to see the etiology which includes genetics, lack of attachment, past abuse, and family characteristics of male serial killers. Papazian focuses on the characterological disorders of the serial killers including antisocial disorder, borderline personality disorders, and schizoid personality disorder. She also discusses the five types of male serial killers and the seven key phases of a serial murder. A theory behind serial killers is that hormonal variation contribute to violent behavior. Testosterone and a related enzyme, monoamine oxidase (MAO), have been

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linked to violent behavior (Papazian.,2001). The debate goes back and forth in regards of monoamine oxidase, many argue that testosterone and MAO only mediate a relationship between antisocial behavior and sensation-seeking tendencies, others still believe that the influence of these chemicals on neurotransmitters like serotonin, mediates aggressive behavior (Virkkunen.Goldman.& Linnoila.,1996). Another factor towards the etiology of serial killers is their apparent lack of attachment. Failing to attach to others can lead to violent behavior. When a child completely fails to make an attachment in infancy, whether due to the absence of a maternal object or biological predisposition, may lead to affectionless or primary psychopathy (Meloy.,1988). Serial killers usually come from abusive and unstable homes. Typically, they are abandoned as children by their fathers and raised by domineering mothers. Family criminal history tends to be a trending role also psychiatric and alcohol history. According to the F.B.I (Schecter & Everitt.,1997), 42% of serial killers were physically abused, 43% sexually abused and 74% were subjected to ongoing psychological abuse. Male serial killers tend to carry certain personality traits like: antisocial personality disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder. Papazian found types and patterns of male serial killers. The types of pattern are the visionary, mission-oriented, hedonistic and power seekers. Some serial killers are visionary killers. Most serial killers are intelligent yet do not have a conscience or empathy for others. Visionary killers have another element; they are psychotic as well (Papazian.,2001). They often have delusions and auditory hallucinations commanding them to kill. They are also missionoriented killers who see themselves as avenging crusaders who rid society of the “undesirables” (Papazian.,2001).

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The third type serial killer is the hedonistic killer, who have no motive besides their own pleasure. They kill because it feels good to them and inflicting death is a source of intense and even sexual pleasure. The last type of serial killer is the power seeker. The primary motive of the powerseeker killer is the urgent need to assert his or her supremacy over a helpless victim (Papazian.,2001). Serial killers killers differ from those who commit random murders because they usually act out an intense fantasized relationship with their victims. A mass murderer kills many people at one time and a serial killer plots his murders (Papaian.,2001). Over 90% of serial killers are white males. They tend to be very intelligent with high IQs. Even though they have high IQs they tend to do poorly in school and have a difficult time keeping jobs. Most male serial killers from an early age are intensely interested in voyeurism, fetishism, and sadomasochistic pornography. Many psychiatric approaches have been used to to explain male serial homicide, but multifactor explanations of phenomenon suggest that aspects of culture and social structure may also play important roles according to James DeFronzo, Ashley Ditta, Lance Hannon, and Jane Prochnow. The current study attempts to evaluate the multifactor approach by examining whether cultural and structural variables might contribute to explaining the considerable interstate differences in the incidence of serial killer activity (DeFronzo et al.,2007). Subcultural theory to serial homicide leads to the hypothesis that exposure to violent subcultural elements may facilitate the transitions from violent sexual urges to elaborate fantasies and finally to violent behaviors (DeFronzo et al.,2007). The routine activity theory is more “structurally than culturally oriented”, which focuses on variation in the availability of vulnerable victims and guardians rather than on the motives of the offender. Routine activity theory suggest that places with higher percentages of one-person households, divorced persons,

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and the unemployed might be expected to have higher levels of serial killer activity because these groups constitute potentially vulnerable targets (DeFronzo.,2007). Subcultural theory explains that the violent aspect of local culture would be related primarily to where serial killers were socialized during childhood. The results indicated that the structural and cultural variables have a tremendous significant relationship to state rates of male serial homicide offenders based on where the offenders killed their largest numbers of victims and on where the offenders were socialized (DeFronzo et al.,2007). The results indicate that cultural and social-structural variables can at least partially account for the geographic variation in the incidence of male serial homicide and that factors such as the content of culture and aspects of social structure appear to play significant roles in serial homicide (DeFronzo et al.,2007). Nevertheless, female and male serial killer have their similarities and differences when it comes to their killing preferences, cultural influences, motives, genetic makeup, and infamous. Female serial killers are “underrated” being that females statistically are less violent than men. Media has done a great job in focusing on male serial killers through the last couple of decades. Women tend to be portrayed as serial killers who do crimes of passion when male serial killers do it for pleasure. Unfortunately, the lack of research for women serial killers makes it harder to know why they kill, but also the lack of research in the motives of men serial killers is not fully known. Much of the research is repetitive and not conclusive as to why people kill.

References

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Hildebrand, M. M., & Culhane, S. E. (2015). Personality characteristics of the female serial murderer. Journal of Criminal Psychology, 5(1), 34-50. Retrieved from https://kean.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquestcom.kean.idm.oclc.org/docview/1648514193?accountid=11809

Silvio, H. L. (2006). Theoretical consideration of female sexual predator serial killers in the united states (Order No. 3201945). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: Health & Medicine; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: Social Sciences. (304959026). Retrieved from https://kean.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquestcom.kean.idm.oclc.org/docview/304959026?accountid=11809

Leonard, G. S. (2014). An exploratory study of paired serial killers: Pairing, motive, and criminalistic behavior (Order No. 1525323). Available from Criminal Justice Database. (1532167633). Retrieved from https://kean.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquestcom.kean.idm.oclc.org/docview/1532167633?accountid=11809

Papazian, L. M. (2001). Literature review on the personalities and patterns of serial killers (Order No. 9995828). Available from Criminal Justice Database. (304777741). Retrieved from https://kean.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquestcom.kean.idm.oclc.org/docview/304777741?accountid=11809

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DeFronzo, J., Ditta, A., Hannon, L., & Prochnow, J. (2007). Male serial homicide: The influence of cultural and structural variables. Homicide Studies, 11(1), 3-14. Retrieved from https://kean.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquestcom.kean.idm.oclc.org/docview/209881758?accountid=11809 Kaplan, S. (2015, March 06). The surprising but curiously logical differences between male and female serial killers. Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/06/inside-the-minds-offemale-serial-killers/?utm_term=.e1a3539821e5

2017 Statistic Brain Research Institute, publishing as Statistic Brain. Retrieved December 04,2017 from https://www.statisticbrain.com/serial-killer-statistics-and-demographics/

Brogaard, B. (2017, May 31). What Defines a Serial Killer? Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201705/what-defines-serial-killer...