Mass murderers and serial killers
Similarities between the definitions for serial killer and mass murder.
The murders are committed by people who lack any compassion and persuade victims to follow their will. They are carried out by psychopaths who are out to exploit any person with an unstable emotional state (Cawthorne, 2007).
Differences between the definitions of serial killer and mass murder
What can be derived from the definitions is that a serial killer commits the murders in separate places whereas a mass murder is carried out at the same time and location. A serial killer can take extensive measures to prevent his or her detection whereas a mass murderer does it in broad daylight without fear of getting caught. The definition of serial murder puts emphasis on the separation of the murders by describing the periods in between the murders as calming periods. These pauses between the murders is the major component that differentiates it from a mass murder. Mass murder has no period in between the murders. The murders are committed simultaneously or within a short duration of time. Also, in serial killer definition, the victim may be singled out due to a particular reason best known be the perpetrator of the crime. In mass murder definition the casualty is normally killed at the scene of the crime (Cawthorne, 2007).
Purposes served by establishing the typologies that apply to a mass murderer and if they are the same purposes that are served by establishing the typology of a serial killer
The typologies will enable prevention of similar crimes and facilitate mitigation measures which depend entirely on the results from the typology. Another purpose is that it will accurately define and address the specific challenges underlying the mass murder. This will help in the categorization of information required for investigation and evaluation of the case which in turn will solve the murder and give reason behind the offenders’ behavior .If the typology is comprehensive enough, it can serve the same purpose of identifying serial killer because the data can be used to gather information on the serial murder (Walsh & Ellis, 2007).
Yes, a serial killer can become a mass murderer and vice versa. This is due to the simple fact that both of them can share the same characteristics such as sadness, depression therefore, predisposing them to commit either serial or mass murder. Some situations can create a suitable condition for a serial killer to kill more than three people turning him to a mass murderer and vice versa is also true. Social factors that can contribute in making them angrier can also define a serial killer and a mass murder.
Considering the cases the following typologies apply to the cases described.
Case 1
In this case, Andrea Yates selects her five children and drowns them. This shows that victim selection is absent which ties it to mass murder. She showed signs of a mental disorder which is demonstrated by launching into violence against her own children whom they share a home with. After giving birth to her fourth child she was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis which affected her behavior as a result of her past experiences. Therefore she falls under the family annihilator category. Fox & Levin, 2014)
Case 2
John Gacy is a mission serial murderer. This type of serial killer think they are doing the world a huge favor by getting rid of certain group of people such homosexuals. John was organized and aimed at to killing the 33 men (Fox, & Levin, 2014).
References
Cawthorne, N. (2007). Serial killers & mass murderers: Profiles of the world's most barbaric criminals. Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press.
Fox, J. A., & Levin, J. (2014). Extreme Killing: Understanding Serial and Mass Murder.
Walsh, A., & Ellis, L. (2007). Criminology: An interdisciplinary approach. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
