If you ask Dr. John Fisher, assistant professor and coordinator for UTPB’s criminal justice program, he’ll tell you that “serial killer” is a misleading term. “We need to change the nomenclature on that because it’s murder. It’s serial murder.”

While the terminology may change, our widespread fascination with serial murderers seems unlikely to. For insight, we tapped Dr. Fisher’s extensive expertise on the common traits of serial killers, what intrigues us most about them, and why someone might progress from murderer to serial murderer.  

What Are the Signs of a Serial Killer? 

Dr. Fisher outlined some demographic characteristics common to serial killers, explaining that they tend to be white, balding, highly intelligent males in their 20s to 40s. We then turned to character traits: “This is a controversial discussion,” Dr. Fisher said.

“The Macdonald triad is bedwetting beyond the average age, zoosadism, where you’re abusing animals, and then you start dissecting and killing animals. And the third is pyromania. Just because you have these characteristics, does not necessarily mean you’re going to grow up to be a serial killer, but what [forensic psychiatrist J. M.] MacDonald found is that all the serial killers he interviewed had these three traits.” 

Why Are We So Obsessed With Serial Killers? 

We’re obsessed with serial killers because they embody a disturbing blend of power, mystery, and taboo that captivates our curiosity. If popular culture is any indication, our shared obsession is ongoing. Netflix, as just one example, has a dedicated true crime section featuring dozens of programs, many of which are expensively produced documentaries, dramatizations, or original dramas about serial killers. This genre is certainly nothing new, with films on this topic dating back to at least 1909.  

We asked Dr. Fisher why people are so fascinated with serial killers and predators in general. He explained: “There was an old adage that came out of a New York newspaper: ‘If it bleeds, it leads.’ We as a society are interested in power. That intrigues us. So, the eagle, the falcon, the hawk, the bobcat, the lions, the tigers, and bears. They all have power. They’re all aggressive. They’re all predators. And we give respect to the alpha male. We give respect to the alpha dog of the wolfpack. As a society, we denigrate the delta, right? Or the bravo. Because he’s weak. He’s not masculine. He has no power, where the alpha does. A serial murderer is probably the epitome of that alpha domination.”  

“And then we’re interested in why somebody would want to do this. We’re taught that we’re not supposed to kill other people. So, what would cause a person to go out to target, to stalk, to track, and then to kill somebody? We are a society, a community that’s very inquisitive. And if we don’t envision ourselves in this kind of life or doing these kinds of things, then we wonder why other people would do that.” 

Serial Killers Around the World: A Global Issue

Though an abundance of notorious cases may incline us to picture the modern serial killer as American, that’s not always the case. “Serial murder goes on around the world,” Dr. Fisher explained. “Every country in the world has their own serial murderers. The difference is that the United States talks about them. Israel has a serial murderer. There’s a serial cannibal that is in Japan. There’s a history of serial murder around the world. It’s not unique to the United States.” 

Are Serial Killers Addicted to Murder? Exploring the Habit 

Yes—many experts believe serial killers develop an addiction-like compulsion to murder. “Once a dog has tasted human blood, you have to put him down because he’s gonna keep going back after it again and again and again,” Dr. Fisher explained.

“As much as we don’t like to admit it, we are also part of the animal kingdom. Once we find something that we like, we go back to it like a moth to a flame. It’s just our genetics and the way that we’re made. We do the things that we like to do. It’s gonna sound a little religious, but you’ve got this lust of the flesh, and you give in to appease those lusts and desires. Some people, it’s chocolate. Some people, it’s hiking or extreme sports. Some people, it’s rape and murder.” 

Frequently Asked Questions About Serial Killers 

Our cultural fixation with serial killers has sparked endless questions—from what drives them to how they evade capture. Here, we’ve answered some of the most common inquiries to help shed light on the psychology, behavior, and broader context behind these disturbing figures: 

  • What is the Macdonald triad? 
    The Macdonald triad refers to three behaviors—animal cruelty, fire-setting, and persistent bedwetting—that some studies have associated with future violent tendencies. However, its predictive validity is debated among experts. 
  • Why are people fascinated by serial killers? 
    Our fascination stems from a mix of fear, curiosity, and the desire to understand the unknown. Serial killers challenge our perceptions of humanity and morality, making their stories compelling. 
  • Are serial killers unique to the United States? 
    No, serial killers have been documented worldwide. While the U.S. has a notable number, countries like Colombia, Russia, and England have also had infamous cases. 

Credentials for a Criminal Justice Career 

Learn directly from Dr. Fisher and other experts who’ve worked in the criminal justice system as you earn a degree that can be your introduction to the field or position you for an agency leadership role. 

Don’t miss part 2 of this article, where we’ll discuss which serial murderer seemingly inspired the television show “Dexter,” what serial killers crave the most, how they sometimes hide in plain sight, and where the serial killer trend is headed. 

Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/most-notable-serial-killers-us-history-why-they-fascinate-us-1748596
https://www.britannica.com/topic/serial-murder
https://www.yourbasin.com/news/what-makes-a-serial-killer

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