Serial killer

A person who murders multiple victims in separate events, with a period of time between the killings. The definition distinguishes serial murder from killings committed in one continuous event.

Behavioral analysis: The study of actions and patterns to infer characteristics, motives, or likely behavior. Investigators compare crime patterns to assess whether separate murders may share an offender.
Mass murder: The killing of multiple people in one event or at one location, without a substantial break. Its killings occur within one event rather than in separate episodes over time.
Robert Ressler: An FBI agent who helped develop behavioral approaches to investigating violent crime. His interviews and investigative work helped popularize the phrase “serial killer.”
Violent crime investigation: The collection and analysis of evidence in crimes involving physical harm or death. Serial-murder investigations draw on its methods while coordinating evidence across cases.
Serial murder statistics: Quantitative estimates of serial murders and offenders, shaped by definitions and available records. Changing definitions and case linkage make prevalence difficult to measure consistently.
Modus operandi: A repeatable method used to carry out an act, especially a crime. Shared methods can connect cases, though offenders may change them over time.
Spree killing: The killing of multiple people in separate locations during a continuous episode, without a cooling-off period. It involves movement between incidents but lacks the pauses characteristic of serial murder.
John Douglas: An FBI agent and author known for developing criminal behavioral analysis. His work helped bring FBI profiling methods into public discussion.
DNA profiling: The identification of individuals by comparing distinctive regions of their DNA. DNA evidence can connect crimes and identify or exclude suspects.
Criminal psychology: The study of psychological factors associated with criminal behavior and justice processes. It investigates individual differences without assuming one psychological profile explains serial murder.

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