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53 Fed. Probation 41 (1989)
Serial Murderers: Four Case Histories

handle is hein.journals/fedpro53 and id is 327 raw text is: Serial Murderers: Four Case Histories BY FAITH H. LEIBMAN* THE INCREASE in homicide in the United States, particularly in terms of serial murders, has raised many ques- tions concerning the socioeconomic factors sur- rounding such crimes. Both society and those in the criminal justice system have begun to feel the need to answer long-held questions concerning serial murder. This is particularly true in light of the publicity given the family histories of perpe- trators of homicide. This article will explore the psychological profiles of a selected group of serial murderers in order to determine the common emo- tional and environmental backgrounds of these individuals. Through analysis of these findings and further studies, it may be possible to develop criteria for early identification of persons with such tendencies and to develop early treatment programs for such individuals. In order to view serial murder in perspective, one must first understand the underlying cause of murder generally, excluding felony murders and hired assassins. Additionally, one must consider the application of factors involved in homicides as a whole. Studies in the area of homicide seem to indicate that there are three primary psychologi- cal elements contributing to motivation for murder (Abrahamsen, 1973; Holmes, 1988): frustration, fear, and depression. It is frequently the intensity of these feelings, combined with the murderer's interactions with his environment, that bring about the desire-and oftentimes the compul- sion-to murder. In brief, homicides occur as a result of an intense conflict emanating from a struggle between an internal need for self-preser- vation and the stresses pressuring the murderer from the external environment. The roots of this inner conflict are often found in the early child- hood of those committing homicide. Studies sup- port the findings that children as early as 1 or 2 years of age may be hurt by the rejection or criticism of others (Langwin, 1983). It is also clear that resentment brought about as a result of such rejection is frequently repressed by those who later commit murder. Repression often becomes a pat- tern of behavior leaving little need for release of anger. Upon reaching adulthood, the individual *Ms. Leibman is a forensic psychologist with the Atlantic County Jail, as well as a professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University. She wishes to thank her friend andmentor, Donald Fiscor, for his help and support. who thus far has adequately repressed rage since childhood may find himself in situations where he is unable to suppress hostile feelings. In these circumstances, the ego-protective mechanisms, previously used successfully, fail, and the indi- vidual then acts out in a violent manner. This is particularly true when the person feels threatened or frustrated. Complicating this problem may be situations or people that predispose the murderer to frustrated or angry reactions. The literature described three distinct types of murderers: ego disharmonious (or ego-dystonic), psychotic murderers, and ego-harmonious (ego- syntonic) (Abrahamsen; 1973, Holmes, 1988). Ego disharmonious murderers are those who experi- ence a conflict between their ego and their super- ego or their conscience. This conflict leads to an altered state of consciousness or a dissociative reaction. The individual is then unable to control his aggressive behavior or feelings of hostility and comes to react violently or explosively. The psychotic murderer is an individual who suffers from a mental illness such that he has had a complete break with reality. The ego harmonious type of killing is carried out with little, if any, disruption of the functioning of the ego. The murder that takes place is rational and acceptable to the perpetrator on a conscious level. In general, the primary characteristics of a murderer are as follows: Helplessness, impo- tence, a nagging feeling of revenge (all carried over from childhood), an irrational hatred of others, suspiciousness, hypersensitivity to injustices or rejection, self-centeredness, an inability to with- stand frustration, an overpowering feeling of fre- quent uncontrollable emotional outbursts, a need to retaliate, destroy or tear down by killing (Abrahamsen, 1973). Serial murder is best characterized as an ego- dystonic act, since the murderer frequently has, at least on a conscious level, disassociated himself from the killings. In fact, when confronted with evidence of their crimes, many serial murderers have difficulty believing that they are capable of such acts. A serial murder, unlike a mass murder, involves the killing of several people (usually) within the same area, during a fairly short period of time, at the hands of a single assailant. This type of murder is distinguished from a mass murder wherein a number of victims are killed at

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