Team Killers

Contrary to popular belief, serial murder is not a recent phenomenon. There are recorded incidences of serial murder during the 15th century, when Gilles de Rais was charged with the murders of 140 women. Similarly, during the 17th century, in Scotland, the Beane family is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of 1,500 victims. However, it was not until the 19th century that serial murder came to the attention of the public when “Jack the Ripper” murdered five females in London's Whitechapel district, noted for its prostitutes. Since then, acts of serial murder appear to have increased (Hickey, 2002).