NCJ Number
106698
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 35 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1987) Pages: 81-83
Date Published
1987
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the characteristics of serial murderers and the features of VI-CAP, a computerized information center and crime analysis system that facilitates interagency investigations of multijurisdictional crimes that may be serial murders.
Abstract
As determined at the 1984 Death Investigation Symposium VII, the serial murderer is generally white, ranges in age from the early twenties to the mid-thirties, is normal looking, and of above-average intelligence. He may be articulate, an aggressive community leader, and attracted to police work and police personnel. He tends to be fascinated with publicity on his crimes and often maintains a record of his crimes. Crime motives and methods may be related to a significant childhood sexual problem, a job loss, a parent's death, or a financial setback. Due to the frequent mobility of the serial murderer, a number of police jurisdictions may deal with various crimes or elements of single crimes. VI-CAP assists agencies in identifying nationwide the existence of similar crime characteristics or criminal methods, suspect descriptions, or physical evidence. VI-CAP information encompasses photos of the victim, wounds, and crime scene; information on the crime scene vicinity; medical examiner reports; and a map of the victim's travel prior to death.