Serial killers: are they born or a choice they make?
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Authors
Fregoso, Roxanne M.
Issue Date
2004
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic sciences
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate if serial killers are born this way or are they transformed. What are the key elements behind what creates them into such monsters? What leads them to kill? The key issue involved is criminal behavior. Do factors such as heredity, genetic biology, social environment and psychological feelings, lead criminals in becoming serial killers? Scientist have conducted studies dealing with criminal behavior back since the early 1800’s when Cesare Lombroso, (an Italian criminologist) studied and developed theories in the field of characterology, or the relationship between mental and physical characteristics. To date there have not been any concrete developments that interlink criminal behavior and serial killers. Case studies used for this study were for the purpose in determining if criminals are born or shaped into killers.