Holmes and De Burgers' method would be the next logical choice for the FBI to use as a classification method for serial killers. There are six categories that are involved in this method. To place serial killers into these categories, the FBI would examine the victims of the killer rather than the scene of the crime.
The Visionary Killer
The killer referred to as John Doe in the movie Seven is a perfect example of a visionary killer. A visionary killer can most basically be defined as a killer who has trouble excepting reality. They commit murder because they believe a higher force is compelling them to do so. In the scene I have posted below John Doe explains that this is the reason he committed his murders according to the seven deadly sins; he believed a higher force was using him in order to make a point by killing seven different people that represented each of of these sins.
The Mission-Oriented Killer
The killer known as Jigsaw in the movie Saw is an example of a mission-oriented killer. Mission-oriented killers are under the impression that their killings are justified because they are getting rid of a curtain type of person. Often times this refers to to homosexuals, blacks, or people that can more easily be grouped together. In Jigsaws case, he kills different types of people that have all done something he feels is worth killing them for. For example...He feels by giving them the option to take away something precious in their lives in order to live, like a foot, an eye, or a lover, he is allowing those who chose living to be reborn in the sense that their free of their past sins; therefore, he feels he is helping his victims throughout his missions and that his killings are justified.
The Hedonistic Killers
Hedonistic killers seek pleasure through their killings. The thrill they receive through the way in which they commit their murders is what compels them to continue with these horrifying acts. These killers are split into three subcategories, which are the next three that I describe below.
The Lust Killer
The disturbing character of Patrick Bateman, played by Christan Bale, in the movie American Psycho would be considered a lust killer. Patrick's primary victims in the movie were prostitutes. He would pay them large sums of money to come to his place, put a date rape drug in their drinks, and precede to have sex with them. Often times Christan would have more than one girl over, and force them to do things they would not normally partake in if they had not been druged. This is because Patrick felt the need to fulfill a sick fantasy he knew could not take place otherwise. Lust killer's motives are based on sex, just as Patrick's seem to be; the need to complete a fantasy is almost always a factor in their killings.
The Thrill Killer
A thrill killer's primary motive is to inflict pain or terror upon their victims. This perfectly describes the character of Hannibal Lector. A thrill killer enjoys the act of murdering; they try and make it as drawn out as possible. Their victims are most often complete strangers. Lector killed many strangers to him throughout the movie. He also made it very clear he received pleasure by torturing his victims. An example of a scene in the movie that proved this point was towards the beginning when Lector killed a man by tying him up, skinning his face, and then making him eat it. While doing this, Lector was laughing which proved that he enjoyed the process of torturing this man, as any thrill killer would.
The Comfort Killer
Mr. Brooks himself in the movie would most definitely not be considered a comfort killer, but his daughter showed clear signs of developing into one. A comfort killer is someone who kills in order to live a more comfortable lifestyle for themselves, many times in terms of material items. Their victims most likely include close friends and family. Although it was never proven that Mr. Brook's daughter, Jane Brooks, actually murdered anyone throughout the movie, Mr. Brooks was curtain that she actually had and that she had adapted the urge from him. What leads me to believe she was a comfort killer was Mr. Brook's clear fear that she would eventually murder him. The same day she asked to be apart of his business, someone found pictures of him committing a murder. This was such a big coincidence, it seems maybe she was the one trying to get him in trouble. Mr. Brook's also had a dream one night that she murdered him and it seems it would rightly be a recurring fear of his. If Jane does chose to murder her father and gets away with it, she would most likely inherit his business which would allow her to live more comfortably.
The Power/Control Killer
An example of a power/control killer would be the infamous Zodiac killer, as portrayed in the movie Zodiac. A power/control killer is known for having the main objective of feeling complete power over their victims. These are the killers that are most likely of all the types to have had a childhood that consisted of abuse. Power/control killers are also known for raping their victims frequently, in order to feel a sense of power. The Zodiac killer was actually never caught, so there is no way of knowing about his childhood. What we do know is that he tried to take his entire neighborhood in as a victim. He contacted news papers and demanded that his letters be published. In his first letter he explained that he had just murdered a pretty girl, and planned to aim for many more girls in the future. The letter ended with him stating, "I AM INSANE. BUT THAT WILL NOT STOP THE GAME. THIS LETTER SHOULD BE PUBLISHED FOR ALL TO READ IT. IT JUST MIGHT SAVE THAT GIRL IN THE ALLEY. BUT THAT'S UP TO YOU. IT WILL BE ON YOUR CONSCIENCE. NOT MINE..."*. This shows the Zodiac demanding control by using harsh threats on the public, which is a demonstration of an act that a power/control killer would partake in.
Pros vs. Cons
There are more categories to place a serial killer into therefore it makes it easier to pin point the killer. |
Since this method requires the examination of the victims, people would have to die in order for it to properly work. |