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Serial Murder/Serial Killer
Several murders committed over a period of time of weeks, months, or years by a single individual or team of people. Most serial killers have diagnosable psychological disorders, particularly an antisocial personality disorder (more commonly called psychopathy). Many serial killers exhibit “the terrible triad” of childhood: bedwetting, cruelty to animals, and fire setting. Serial killing is often sexually motivated. The offender fantasizes about the murder prior to killing, and victims often represent someone who earlier in the killer's life caused him or her pain. Organized serial killers, generally socially proficient, usually plan the murders, move their victims (either alive or dead), and take a memento or trophy from the victim to remember the event. In comparison, disorganized serial killers are generally not socially competent and ...