NCJ Number
161651
Date Published
1994
Length
279 pages
Annotation
This description and analysis of the most infamous mass murders and serial murders of our time includes explanations of the motives and rationale for these crimes, along with a discussion of the reasons underlying their increase.
Abstract
The research for the book benefited from interviews with police investigators, attorneys, reporters, victim's families, the families of multiple murderers, and the murderers themselves. The serial and mass murderers profiled include Andrei Chikatilo of Russia, who killed 52 people; serial killer Douglas Clark, who killed women as he was having intercourse with them; Charles Manson, the leader of a cult that committed mass murder; Aileen Wuornos, a rare female serial killer; Westley Allan Dodd, who killed young boys after molesting and raping them; Jeffrey Dahmer; Daniel Rolling; Colin Ferguson; and James Huberty. The authors examine the psychological, sociological, and biological explanations behind the murderous thoughts, drives, and behaviors of these and other mass and serial killers. Regarding motivation, the study concludes that most serial murderers do not kill for love, money, or revenge, but rather for the psychological stimulation and relief that it brings from an intolerably painful, powerless, and mundane existence. The authors investigate what prompts some people from dysfunctional families to become "killers" on Wall Street while others become actual killers. Also, the latest law enforcement methods used to track down these killers are described. A central issue addressed in the book is why multiple murder sprees are occurring not only with greater frequency but in more gruesome ways both in America and abroad. Chapter notes, 66 references, and a subject index