Additional factors contributing to this ambiguity include variable measures of intelligence that are not aligned to theory (Salekin, Neumann, Leistico, & Zalot, 2004) and data from a small sample of highly profiled serial killers (those who are the most vivid, memorable, and coincidentally, more intelligent) who are not necessarily typical of serial killers in general. Consequently, despite historical anecdotes, previous observations, and sparse clinical assessments, the association between intelligence level and serial killers remained obscure. A paucity of case studies, archived clinical descriptions (Krafft-Ebing, 1886 MacDonald, 1963), and FBI assessments (Douglas, Ressler, Burgess, & Hartman, 1986) have fueled perceptions that 'organized' (as opposed to 'disorganized') serial killers are, in fact, highly intelligent however, until recently, more comprehensive data e.g., a wider range of recorded intelligence quotients to validate this relationship between serial killers and intelligence were virtually nonexistent. Generic research on psychopaths versus serial killers, an extreme variant (subgroup) within this construct, has preempted an opportunity to evaluate specific relationships between serial killers, per se, and intelligence level. As noted by Hare (2003), near zero correlations exist between intelligence and psychopathy, and this relationship has yet to be convincingly demonstrated (Johansson & Kerr, 2005). However, empirical studies have failed to consistently demonstrate differences in intelligence between psychopaths, in general, and nonpsychopaths (Harpur, Hare, & Hakstian, 1989 Johansson & Kerr, 2005). Since then, sentiments echoed by other eminent researchers (Bullard, 1941 Douglas, Burgess, Burgess, & Ressler, 1992 Hankoff, 1961 Knoll, 2006 Macdonald, 1966) have reinforced perceptions of above-average to superior intelligence among criminal psychopaths who serially kill. In 1941, the eminent psychiatrist, Cleckley (1941), in his classic, provocative, and seminal book The Mask of Sanity, portrayed criminal psychopaths as intelligent, glib, egocentric, and charming. serial killers), possessed high intelligence in conjunction with antisocial tendencies (Vitacco, Neumann, & Wodushek, 2008). Future research should focus more precisely on how considerable the impact of a victim’s characteristics is on their measure of vulnerability as well as broadening the scope to analyze census data.Early theorists Pinel (1801), Rush (1812), and Krafft-Ebing (1886) observed and theoretically hypothesized that those we now recognize as criminal psychopaths (e.g. This study focuses on providing factual evidence to support the notion that it is possible to identify what geographical factors are correlated and even predictive of the locale of why serial offenders choose to operate within a preferred geographic area. Key groups in the victimology are defined and how they contribute to serial murder patterns is explored.

Throughout the study, major themes will be identified as the factors that contribute to geographical serial homicide trends. Research will be conducted by implementing data from the Radford/Florida Gulf Coast University Serial Killer Database and the United States Census Bureau to examine the geographical patterns of serial murder in North America. A literature review revealed what other researchers in the field estimate are the reasons behind a serial killer’s choice to operate in a given area. My thesis challenges this assumption through factual analysis. While such a conclusion does seem logical, it has never been challenged using empirical data. Law enforcement agencies operate with the belief that serial murder occurs in geographical areas where groups engaging in high-risk lifestyles are prevalent.

Radford fgcu serial killer database