| What makes a common person a Serial Killer? | | | | break free from the working class from which |
| According to research, serial killers exhibit | | | | he was born. Additionally, he 'needed' to |
| what is known as the 'Triad of Warning Signs | | | | possess expensive items as well. Per |
| in Childhood.'1Indicators include:* | | | | research, Ted came from a single-parent home, |
| Firestarting, invariably just for the thrill | | | | was a severe sexual deviate; and women |
| of destroying things* Cruelty to Animals: | | | | threatened him. He felt the need to not only |
| Most children can be cruel to animals, such | | | | control them, but to incapacitate them as |
| as pulling the legs off of spiders, but | | | | well. As a teenager, Ted Bundy became known |
| future serial killers often kill larger | | | | for his violent temper.But what do serial |
| animals, like dogs and cats, and frequently | | | | killers like Dahmer, Bundy and others like |
| for their solitary enjoyment rather than to | | | | them have in common?'Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted |
| impress peers.* Bedwetting beyond the age | | | | Bundy, Andrew Cunanan, David 'Son of Sam' |
| when children normally grow out of such | | | | Berkowitz, and Albert 'Boston Strangler' |
| behavior.One of society's more notorious | | | | DeSalvo were ALL cruel to animals before they |
| serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer explained that | | | | started hurting people.'6 Subsequently, |
| wanted to remove 'free will' from his victims | | | | killer teenagers Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold |
| so that they would stay with him. In his | | | | (Columbine HS), and Kip Kinkel were also |
| past, he suffered from abandonment and was | | | | known for their past history of animal |
| afraid of loss and any social upheaval. | | | | cruelty. In the study from of 'The Care of |
| Another one of his extremely displaced | | | | pets within child abusing families,' |
| characteristics was that he suffered from low | | | | presented by DeViney & Lockwood, 88 percent |
| self-esteem. His parents divorced during his | | | | of the homes were animal abuse had occurred, |
| teens, and when he did go to college, he | | | | children were also abused.In conclusion, I |
| performed badly. Upon examination of three | | | | summise this important literature from the |
| psychologists, Dahmer was found to be | | | | San Francisco Chronicle commentary by Margo |
| manipulative, resistant and evasive.2 Further | | | | DeMello:"...every time we hear of a young |
| studies of Dahmer revealed that he could not | | | | person abusing an animal, it is explained |
| tolerate rejection or abandonment; and that | | | | away by family and often authorities as a |
| control was the number one factor for him. | | | | 'youthful indiscrection'...What the |
| One clue to his unusually sick behavior was | | | | authorities and parents of these young men |
| that even in his relationships, Dahmer did | | | | fail to realize is that their behavior may |
| not gratify his sexual partners - instead, | | | | signal that something is wrong with these |
| Dahmer always expected to be pleased by | | | | men, which could very easily escalate into |
| them.According to Pat Brown's Book, Killing | | | | something much worse. The evidence is not |
| for Sport: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers | | | | just anecdotal; numerous studies, including |
| '...serial killers are of average | | | | the 1998 work of Randall Lockwood and Frank |
| intelligence....most have low level jobs and | | | | R. Ascione ("Cruelty to Animals and |
| make poor decisions. ' And, '...it is exactly | | | | Interpersonal Violence," Purdue University |
| these poor decisions that get them in trouble | | | | Press), have shown that children who engage |
| on their jobs, in their relationships, and in | | | | in animal cruelty are more likely to commit |
| their crimes.'Based on studies, serial | | | | more violent acts as adults. There is also a |
| killers usually choose victims that they can | | | | strong link between abuse of animals and |
| easily overpower, such as persons having | | | | domestic violence, with animal abusers much |
| short height and low weight. Additionally, | | | | more likely to batter their wives or |
| 'serial killing is not about sex at all, but | | | | girlfriends as well...Youthful violence |
| about power and control and revenge on | | | | toward animals is a very serious issue, and |
| society.' 2Ted Bundy, who murdered at least | | | | it needs to be taken seriously by not only |
| 36 women, was known for his expressed desire | | | | animal advocates like myself, but by those |
| to acquire things. From theft, to the | | | | who are concerned about violence in our |
| importance of social standing, he pined to | | | | society." - Margo DeMello, Ph.D. |