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Articles  »  The Psychological Profiles of Killers

The Emotional and Physical Aspects of a Violent Offender

     Violent criminals very often have an interesting tale to tell a tale that can help law enforcement catch other offenders before they strike again. By using information gathered from offenders already in jail concerning their methods of mayhem, it is becoming more possible to catch violent criminal and more effective in the field of forensics.

     Serial killers are the most dangerous of all violent criminals. Not only do they kill until they are caught; but they also possess a psychotic intelligence that makes it very difficult to catch them. The good news is that psychologists have been able to make a profile on these criminals to aid investigators in their search.

     There are many physical symptoms to recognize a serial killer. Some of them include ritualistic behavior, compulsivity, suicidal tendencies, history of serious assaults, hypersexuality, history of drug or alcohol abuse, alcohol or drug abusing parents, cruelty to animals, and arsenal tendencies. It is, however, by no means correct to say that a person who may have one or more of these traits is a serial killer. But, conversely, a serial killer will have some, if not all, of these characteristics. It may, therefore, be an intelligent move to further investigate the situation if you notice someone who is showing these traits, just to be extra sure.

     There are also emotional behavior signs that may trigger a further insight. These feelings, however, may be hard to notice. In any case, many serial killers suffer from chronic depression, feelings of powerlessness or inadequacy, abuse as a child, feelings of interrupted bliss during childhood and a masking of one's sanity.

     It is important to take note that when interviewed, the majority of serial killers do not recall a happy childhood. Many of them suffered emotional and/or physical abuse from either their parents or step- parents and serious neglect as a child. Some of them have also stated that they were the result of an unwanted pregnancy and great care had not been taken during the fetal stages.

     Violent offenders who rape their victims fall into different categories. These are different types of rapists, who rape for different reasons and do it in different ways. Nonetheless, they are all monsters. Profiles created for each kind of rapist can be used to track down and punished the different types of rapists accordingly.

     The Power Reassurance Rapist is the most common type of rapist. He usually will carry a weapon or claim to be, but will not use it or use any more force than necessary to fulfill his fantasy. He wants to express his power through sex, not physical injury. This offender spends an extended period of time with the victim, may compliment her appearance, and may even apologize for what he has just done to her.

     The Power Assertive Rapist is primarily concerned with showing how "manly" he is through extreme violence. Unlike the Power Reassurance Rapist, this one is not concerned with the extent of suffering of the victim and usually uses more force than necessary to subdue her.

     The Anger Retaliatory Rapist is even more violent. He has a deep hatred towards women and so lashes out against them. Many of his victims require hospitalization.

     The Anger Excitation Rapist or sexual sadist is sexually stimulated by the amount of suffering his victim endures. He is the most dangerous type of rapist.

     The Opportunistic Rapist will rape someone during another crime taking place, for instance, a robbery or kidnapping. He does not spend very much time with the victim and is usually either high or drunk during the ordeal.
Mass murderers are very dangerous because they, in no way, act with any sense at all. Very often, a single traumatic episode will occur, and set the offender's temper into high gear. Acting only on impulse, the murderer will go into a public area, for instance, a park, restaurant, or office building, and immediately open fire. He does not expect to come out alive and tries to kill as many people as possible before he is eventually killed. This is troubling because the murderer does not think about consequences. The only thing on his mind is death, so there is no limit on the extent of killing. These situations are highly unpredictable and very hard to prevent.

     Scientists have recently found a strong correlation between brain development and the nature of violent offenders. Many of the offenders had previously suffered strong blows to the head, which may have damaged the brain in such a way that certain sensory organs and emotion control organs have been altered. As a result, certain people will not feel remorse, cannot control their aggression and so on. In addition, after many years of emotional abuse, the brain becomes used to it and creates a defense mechanism for it. People who have suffered from this kind of abuse usually shut off from other people becoming antisocial, and when dealing with people may become very hostile or disenchanted. This is the only way of coping with everyday life and the turmoil they feel from it.

     Criminal profiles and interviewing past violent offenders is a very good way to help stop future violent crimes from happening. Although general, the profiles give scientists, doctors and investigators further insight into the minds of the deviant criminals.

     Unfortunately, it is the best they can do for now. There is no way to prevent violent crimes from starting up; the only thing to do is try to stop it as soon as it begins. Until new techniques emerge, this is the only routine that can be practiced; and for now, it's certainly better than doing nothing.

Douglas, John and Mark Olshaker. The Anatomy of Motive. New York: Lisa 
Drew/ Scribner's, 1999

Douglas, John, and Mark Olshaker. Mindhunter. New York: Scribner's, 1995

Groth, A. Nicholas. Men Who Rape. New York: Plenum, 1979

Michaud, Stephen G, and Roy Hazelwood. The Evil That Men Do. New York: St 
Martin's Press, 1998.

Norris, Joel. Serial Killers. New York: Doubleday, 1988