Riddles in serial murder: A synthesis

This article blends the conclusions of four former law enforcement personnel who have investigated and apprehended serial killers, with pertinent principles derived primarily from the field of psychoanalysis. The four—John Douglas, Roy Hazelwood, Robert Keppel, and Robert Ressler—have written extensively about their investigations of serial killers. In their writings, they have answered many questions about the personality development of serial killers while leaving other questions only partially answered. This article expands the answers to three fundamental questions: What is the origin of the dynamics of serial killing? Why is the aggressive drive so singularly powerful and persistent in serial killers? Why is it that serial killers often reveal their identities to the police? In answering these three riddles, the contributions of four emotional pillars in the personality of killers are emphasized. The pillars include emotional hunger, anxiety and aggression, eroticism, and conscience structure. At times, these pillars merge and drive murderous behavior but the pillars lack the integration needed for healthy personality development. This synthesis offers a fuller understanding of the psychodynamics involved in serial killings.