Killing #2 Flashcards
What was the nature of the September 11 Terror Attacks?
International Terrorism - 19 men directed by Osama bin Laden hijacked 4 planes: 2 struck the World Trade Center, 1 hit the Pentagon, and 1 crashed in Pennsylvania, killing 2,977 people.
Who was Ted Kaczynski, and what was his significance in domestic terrorism
Known as the “unabomber,” he was a Harvard PhD who criticized industrial society sending bombs to academics. His actions injure 23 and killed 3
What is the origin of the term “serial murderer”?
Coined by FBI Agent Robert Ressler during the “Son of Sam” killings in the 1970s-80s when 5 active serial killers were identified in the U.S
What is the FBI definition of “serial murder”
Serial murder involves killing at least 3 people over time with “cooling-off” periods, showing premeditation and often leaving unique “signatures” on the victims
What are common characteristics of serial killers?
Typically white males aged 20s-40s, often loners or socially stable, intelligent, with a history of criminal activity and paraphilias like voyeurism or fetishism
Name some paraphilias linked to serial killers
Fetishims, transvestism, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and sometimes sadomasochistic behaviors
What are Ditz’s five serial killer categories?
Psychopathic sexual sadists, crime spree skillers, organized crime functionaries, custodial killers, psychotic killers
Describe the FBI’s organized vs. disorganized dichotomy typology
organized killers are methodical and appear normal, often planning crimes carefully.
disorganized killers are loners with chaotic crime patterns, acting impulsively
Who was Gilles de Rais, and why is he infamous?
A 1400s French nobleman and one of the first recorded serial killers, he tortured and murdered hundreds of children, finding pleasure in their suffering
Who was Jack the Ripper, and what made him notorious?
An unidentified killer in 1800s England who murdered at least 5 women, famously disemboweling victims and taunting police. He inspired an entire field of study, “Ripperology”
Who was Albert Fish, and what were his crimes?
Known as “The Gray Man,” he killed and cannibalized children in the 1920s. His pattern included anthropophagy and sadomasochism, including inserting needles into his own groin
What were some tactics used by Ted Bundy?
Posing as injured to lure women, he beat, raped, and murdered victims. Known for his charm, he was a necrophiliac and kept heads as trophies
Who was Dennis Rader, and what was his killing pattern?
The “BTK killer”(bind, torture, kill) stalked victims, tied them up, and tortured them for sexual pleasure, sending taunting messages to authorities for 30 years
Why might serial killers in the U.S account for 75% of global cases?
Possible reasons include the mobile nature of American society and potentially more robust crime-solving resources
How are serial killers different from mass murderers?
Serial killers kill over time fo fantasy, targeting individuals close-up, while mass murderers often kill multiple people at once, usually for revenge, using high-tech weapons
