American Journal of Criminal Justice V. 13

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13 American J. Crim. Just. 1 (1988-1989)

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AJCJ, Vol XIII, No. 1 (1988)

INSIDE THE MIND OF THE SERIAL MURDER

RONALD M. HOLMES, JAMES DE BURGER
and STEPHEN T. HOLMES

ABSTRACT

This article approaches a position of delving into the thoughts
of those who commit murder serially. The information comes from
a variety of sources which include research literature, theory
examination and most importantly, serial murderers themselves.
More than 400 cases of serial fatal violence as well as interviews
with incarcerated serial killers were utilized. Important issues such
as locus of motives, expected gains, victim selection processes,
planning of the event, the murder event itself, and organization
and disorganization of the kill are also discussed. While admitting
that serial killers have never been rehabilitated, a call is directed
toward a better understanding of the mind of the serial murderer.

INTRODUCTION

When one thinks of homicide in America, smoking gun or
dripping knife murder immediately comes to mind. However, a
new form of homicide, impersonal and stranger-perpetrated, is
growing in frequency and notoriety (Holmes and DeBurger, 1985;
Rule, 1986). This new form of multicide is serial murder.

Multicide comes in at least three forms: mass murder, spree
murder and serial murder. Mass murder is the killing of a number
of people at one time in one place. The McDonald's massacre in
San Diego by James Huberty is an apt example of such an
occurrence. Spree murder is the killing of a number of people in a
very short period. The number is more than two usually within a
month or so. Charles Starkweather is an example of a spree
murderer when he killed nine people within four weeks.

The serial murderer kills a number of people over a period of
time, many times months and years. The large number who fall
prey to the serial murderer has been estimated to be 5,000 a year,
and the number of serial killers now at large is at least 35

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