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Anastasia Kreyling
10-19-15
Independent Research, P2
Serial Killers: The Development of a Killers Mind Through Biological and Environmental
Factors and the Triggers of the Types of Serial Killer
Research Question:
What biological and environmental factors trigger/develop a serial killer, and what are the
differences in the development/actions of the different types of serial killer?
Hypothesis:
Biological and environmental factors that develop in the childhood and adolescence are
the most influential in the development of a serial killer and influence what type of serial killer
they become.
Background:
In our society today, there are many violent and uncontrolled people amongst us. These
people have the urge to kill in patterns, no pattern at all, or they have violent outbreaks. They can
be classified as serial killers. Serial killers usually start to develop in their childhood, and they
become more pronounced throughout their early adolescence. Violent TV shows have a huge
impact on the amount of violence a child is exposed to which later develops the child into a
violently acting bully. When the child grows out of the childhood stage, they go into the teenage
phase with violence which is still building up. The violent TV shows can be classified as
environmental factors which develop a serial killer. Other environmental factors can be neglect

from a family member, a bad situation in the household, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and more.
This later can build into childhood psychopathy which is a major trait in serial killers. It might
start off with lighting animals on fire to killing them. When they are done with animals they
move on to humans.
Biological factors also have a huge effect on the development of a serial killer. An
example of this is the variant genes of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), and cadherin 13
(CDH13). These two mutated genes combine to cause violent behavior in a person, and that
behavior is doubled when one introduces alcohol and drugs to the mix. There was research done
at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and the
researchers found out that many prisoners had the two genes as well as serial killers who are
behind bars. The two genes create aggressiveness, and it is not surprising that the genes have a
correlation with serial killers.
There are many types of serial killers and depending on the type of killer that they are,
they have different ways that they kill. The two main categories of a serial killer are The
Organized Killer and The Disorganized Killer. These categories have many subcategories
under them, but each leads up to the main categories. An organized killer is very intelligent, well
organized, cautious, and they plan out their every move. These killers take pride in their kill.
The disorganized killer does not plan the kill, they are random, and they usually have a low IQ.
The organized and disorganized serial killers develop and think differently. Based on their
different development, their actions in the kills must be different as well.
Rationale:

I feel that this topic is very important to the society of Americans and all over the world
as well. Serial killers are a serious issue, and we need to rid the world of them. Killing the same
type of species is just not right. The killers can blend in with any other person on this planet, and
we may never know who they really are. That is what makes this issue even bigger. It could be
you, me, or your friend. We may never know. Finding out how the serial killers mind works and
develops can help us stop the development of future serial killers. We need to identify serial
killers before they are born. The first step should be to eliminate violence in childrens lives
because environmental factors are a huge push towards becoming a serial killer. Examples of this
kind of violence may be child abuse, verbal abuse, violent family situation, violent video games
or T.V shows, and more. Genetics tests can also be created and administered to find the
biological factors that are creating the killer like the two genes MAOA and CDH13, and
psychopathy which can start developing in early childhood. Identifying these factors,
understanding the development of the serial killer, and looking at factors that trigger violence can
help us identify serial killers who are amongst us. At this point, the most important step is to
understand how serial killers think because that may be the only way to stop them.
Basis of Hypothesis:
I am focusing my hypothesis on serial killers, but not any other kind of killer. Serial
killers are killers that kill in certain patterns, and they kill more than one person. Also the focus
of my hypothesis is on environmental and biological factors, the triggers of killers, their
development, and their actions depending on the type of killer that they are. The serial killers
studied may be any around the world because there arent that many of them, and it will be
interesting to see how they differ depending on their past history, where they are from, and how
they were raised. I am interested in seeing how most serial killers develop, and what the actions

of their kills are depending on the type of killer they are. What I have found so far is that two
genes that are specific to violent behavior are found in most serial killers, and they are the
monoamine oxidase A and cadherin 13. If a person has both of these genes they will experience
very violent behavior. One interesting fact is that most people have one of those variant genes,
but not both. I have also learned that serial killers kill in different ways depending on the type of
killer they are. For example an organized killer is usually more educated, more organized, and
they cover their tracks. Disorganized killers usually have a lower IQ, they dont cover their
tracks, and they do not plan their kills. Stopping serial killers will do the world a huge favor by
eliminating violence in small portions.
Operational Definitions:

Serial Killer: A person who kills more than three people with the kills spanning over one

month, and they usually have some sort of psychological problem.

Psychopathy: a disorder or mental illness found in many serial killers
MAOA: monoamine oxidase A, a variant gene that is an enzyme which is known as the

warrior gene. This gene is linked to aggression and violent behavior.

CDH13: cadherin 13, a variant gene that is linked to protein coding, usually found in
people with ADHD.

Descriptors Used for Literature Search:

The types of serial killers

Biological factors of the development of a serial killer
Environmental factors of a serial killer
MAOA
CDH13
Triggers of a serial killer
Psychopathy
Serial killers