Serial Killers as Addicts

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the nature of a serial killer. It specifically looks at whether serial killing can be considered to be an addiction and if we can learn more about a serial killer by perceiving it as an addiction. The paper describes the major types of serial killers and discusses the nature of addiction. The paper finally questions if being a serial killer is an addiction, if there are possible interventions to help him or her with this malady.

From the Paper:

"While rare, this gender bias in serial killers is occasionally bypassed. Often falling into their own separate category, female serial killers are more often than not associated with therapeutic settings in hospitals or nursing homes. These are nurturing settings that also allow them to be in complete control over a patient, usually an elderly or terminally ill patient, but not necessarily so. Although not officially categorized as such, they are referred to as the lethal caretakers, or more sensationally as the Angels of Death. "This contemporary Angel of Death embodies an especially pernicious darkness in our humanity by systemically attacking the weak and defenseless who have been involuntarily placed into her care or must rely on her for comfort and support" (Kelleher, and Kelleher 60). Aileen Wuornos is perhaps one of the most famous and atypical examples of a female serial killer. Although debatable, she actually falls under the genre of Hedonistic Gain Killer; killing truck drivers and other motorists for their money and their cars (Jenkins)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Egger, Steven A. Serial Murder An Elusive Phenomenon. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1990.
• Giannangelo, Stephen J. The Psychopathology of Serial Murder A Theory of Violence. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1996
• Holmes R. and De Burger J. Serial Murder, CA: Newbury Park, Sage. 1988
• Jenkins, Philip. Using Murder The Social Construction of Serial Homicide. New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1994
• Kelleher, Michael D., and C. L. Kelleher. Murder Most Rare The Female Serial Killer. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1998.

More papers on Serial Killers as Addicts:

• Essay # 40826 : "The Mind of a Serial Killer"
• Research Paper # 128561 : "Female Serial Killers"
• Comparison Essay # 8975 : "Nature vs. Nurture -A Comparison of Four Serial Killers"

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