NCJ Number
103872
Date Published
1985
Length
295 pages
Annotation
This book outlines the crime patterns, biographies, detection, and case processing of 21 serial killers, from Herman Mudgett, who tortured and murdered women in the 1890's, to the more recent serial killers Christopher Wilder, Henry Lucas, and Wayne Williams.
Abstract
An introductory summary of serial killer personalities notes that serial killers apparently achieve euphoria through torturing and killing people without experiencing guilt or compassion for the victims or their families. Serial killers are often highly intelligent and elude capture by selecting victims where there are no witnesses. Upon being captured, some fake psychopathic symptoms, but most are legally sane to the extent of knowing right from wrong and appreciating the consequences of their behavior. Each chapter provides a narrative description of the killer's personal history, victim selection, and criminal methods. Events leading to each killer's capture are also recounted, along with the case processing. Other serial killer histories reviewed include Charles Starkweather, Albert De Salvo, Charles Manson, Juan Corona, Gerard Schaefer, David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy. Photographs, 100 references, and subject index.