Serial Killers

Introduction
Mass murderers and serial killers display the same characteristics such as lack of empathy and manipulation but they are different. What differentiates the two is the number of murders as well as the timing of these murders. While serial killers commit the murders over an extended period in different locations, mass murderers commit the murders at the same time in a single location.
Serial murder
A serial killer is someone who murders more than three people over a period of a month usually with a cooling off time between the killings. The murders are separate incidences which a driven by pleasure or psychological thrill. These killer lack quilt and empathy and are self-centred individuals. These individuals use the mask of sanity
to hide their psychopathic tendencies which makes them appear normal. Serial killers are organised and motivated to commit the murder and can spent time stalking the victims for some time before killing them.
Mass murder
Unlike serial killers, mass murderers kill a large number of people at the same time usually in the same location. Most situations involving mass murderers end with the death of the mass murderer through self-infliction of by law enforcement. Mass murderers are dissatisfied individuals who have poor social skills and very few friends. Their motives are less obvious in contrast to those of serial murderers. Most mass murderers are male and are not likely to be clinically psychotic. Unlike most serial killers who are psychotic, mass murderers are paranoid and have acute behaviour or social disorders. They show psychopathic tendencies such as being uncompassionate, manipulative and cruel. These individuals are loners or social misfits who have been pushed over the edge by some event.
Types of serial killers
There are four broad types of serial killers and they are categorised according to the type of crime the commit.
These types are mission oriented, voluntary, thrill seekers and control/power seekers. The thrill seeking serial killers find amusement in outsmarting law enforcement. They enjoy being pursued by the police and media attention. These type of serial killer can be differentiated from the others by the fact that they send messages to others and keep detailed records of their murders. They rape or use weapons on their victims before killing them and hide the corpses before moving to the next murder. Power or control serial killers tend to have a history of child abuse and enjoy the victims suffering and terror. They are organised and most of them sexually abuse their victims before murdering them although they are not motivated by feelings of lust. They see rape as a means of showing dominance over their victims. Visionary serial killers are individuals who occasionally suffer psychotic breaks. They believe they are compelled to murder by a higher power such as god or the devil. There are two sub categories, these being God mandated and demon mandated serial killers. The may also believe that are another individual. They are unorganised and this makes it simpler to track them. The mission oriented serial killers feel that they are doing the society a favour by killing their victims. These victims include prostitutes, homosexuals, drug dealers and people they fell
society does not need. They are not psychotic and are organised as their crime scenes are controlled. They are much easier to track because they go after specific victims.
Female serial killers
Although most serial killers are male there are a number of female serial killers.
These individuals are quiet but equally lethal as the male serial killers. They are more careful, methodical, precise and successful than male serial killers. They often kill their victims for profit or power. The characteristics of female serial killers I that they have a longer killing spree often lasting for more than 8 years compared to 4 years for male serial killers. Their killings re less violent and quieter with preferred method of killing being poison and other non-violent methods such as suffocation. Their victims are often closer to them such as their spouses and family members. This is a contrast to the victims of male serial killers who are often
strangers.
Motives of mass murderers
There are different motives for mass murderers ranging from revenge to despair. Some mass murderers seek headlines while others develop visions of destruction. Mass murderers are different and so are their motives but they possess certain key characteristics. Most mass murderers are motivated by the attainment of fame or infamy. They engage in mass murders to achieve recognition, respect and glory.
Conclusion
Mass murderers and serial killers have similar characteristics but they are quite different. Whereas serial killer kill over a long period and in different locations, mass murderers kill at a single time in one location. There are four types of serial killers and these are mission oriented, voluntary, thrill seekers and control/power seekers. Although most serial killers are male, there are female serial killers. Female serial killers may be hard to track because they are quieter and less violent compared to their male counterparts. Mass murderers are motivated by dame, glory, recognition and respect.