Why We Love Serial Killers by Scott Bonn

Instead, serial killers are much more likely to exhibit antisocial personality disorders such as sociopathy or psychopathy, which are not considered to be mental illnesses by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). An examination of psychopathy and sociopathy, and an in-depth discussion of the powerful connection between antisocial personality disorders and serial homicide, is presented in chapter 4.
    In fact, very few serial killers suffer from any mental illness to such a debilitating extent that they are considered to be insane by the criminal justice system. To be classified as legally insane, an individual must be unable to comprehend that an action is against the law at the exact moment the action is undertaken. In other words, a serial killer must be unaware that murder is legally wrong while committing the act of murder in order to be considered legally insane. This legal categorization ofinsanity is so stringent and narrow that very few serial killers are actually included in it.
    Psychopathic serial killers such as John Wayne Gacy and Dennis Rader were entirely aware of the illegality of murder while they were killing their victims. Their understanding of right and wrong did nothing to impede their crimes, however, because psychopaths such as Gacy and Rader have an overwhelming desire and compulsion to kill that causes them to ignore the criminal law with impunity. When they are apprehended, serial killers rarely are determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial, and their lawyers rarely utilize an insanity defense on their behalf. Once again, this is due to the extremely narrow legal definition of insanity which simply does not apply to most psychopathic killers. Even David Berkowitz, the infamous Son of Sam, who told his captors tales of satanic rituals and demonic possession, was found to be competent to stand trial for his murders following his arrest in 1977.
    Considerable mythology also surrounds the intelligence of serial killers. There is a popular culture stereotype that serial killers are cunning, criminal geniuses. This stereotype is heavily promoted by the entertainment media in television, books and films. In particular, Hollywood has established a number of brilliant homicidal maniacs like John Doe in the acclaimed 1995 film Se7en. John Doe personifies the stereotype of the evil genius serial killer who outsmarts law enforcement authorities, avoids justice, and succeeds in his diabolical plan. The image of the evil genius serial killer is mostly a Hollywood invention. Real serial killers generally do not possess unique or exceptional intellectual skills. The reality is that most serial killers who have had their IQ tested score between borderline and above average intelligence. This is very consistent with the general population. Contrary to mythology, it is not high intelligence that makes serial killers successful. Instead, it is obsession, meticulous planning, and a cold-blooded, often psychopathic personality that enable serial killers to operate over long periods of time without detection.
    Myth #6: All Serial Killers Must Keep On Killing.
    Reality: Another common myth is that once serial killers start killing, they simply cannot stop. Although this claim may seem reasonable, it is simply inaccurate. There are serial killers who stopmurdering altogether before ever being caught. In such instances, there are events or circumstances that occur in the offenders’ lives that inhibit them from continuing a life of murder. These events can include an increased participation in family life, a substitute for sexual gratification, or some other diversion. For example, Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer, confessed to murdering ten victims between 1974 and 1991. There is no evidence that he killed anyone from 1992 until his capture in 2005. In our correspondence, Rader has admitted to engaging in autoerotic activities as a substitute for murder in order to satisfy his sexual desires between killings. In