City College Academy of the Arts

All serial killers should be convicted to death

Denny Gabriel

Research

Polen

Dec. 20, 2018

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“We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there

will be more of your children dead tomorrow”(Ted Bundy). Murders are a rising epidemic in

modern day society. Nobody will ever wish to have a murderer running around their

neighborhood, specially a serial killer. Many murders are committed every year in United States;

however, the percentage that these murders are classified under serial murders is extremely low.

Whoever commits serial murder is to be labeled as a “serial killer” and their crimes are defined

as the following: “The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines ‘serial murder’ as killing of

several persons in three or more separate incidents over weeks or extended period.”(A CASE

STUDY). From 2010-2015, less than 100 criminals were classified under Serial killers(“Serial

Killer Statistics”). Considering there is thousands of criminals who commit murders every year,

the percentage of criminals whose murder are viewed as “serial” murder is no more than 1%

(FBI). This means serial killers are difficult to find due to the very low percentage of murderers

labeled with such classification. Serial killers are a phenomenon government bodies and

academic institutions seek to understand. These serial killers prove to be dangerous to society

and immediate action must be taken. They have many negative effects such as waste of resources

and health effects on individuals. Numerous thought processes are behind a serial killer’s action,

much the same as there are numerous reasons why each serial killer should be convicted to

death.

Serial killers reach a point in their life where they experience “lack of self

control”(Rodgers) and cannot be rehabilitated. For many, it can be the first victim to trigger an

on-going rampage for years. “ ‘If I am ever let out, I will start killing again’ [Onoprienko states]

‘But this time it will be worse. 10 times worse. The urge is there.’ ”(Blanco). A famous serial
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killer, Onoprienko claimed that he should be executed, the urge of murdering people would

never leave him. He murdered 52 victims over the course of 3 months(Anatoly Onoprienko) and

felt no remorse. His cold statement demonstrates that he is beyond professional assistance. “By

the time they progress to this extremely abhorrent behavior, it’s too late”(Rodgers), this means

that most of the behaviour of a serial killer cannot be changed after a certain point. Onoprienko is

a perfect example of this case, his atrocious behaviour will remain unchanged because he is “not

capable of rehabilitation”(Rodgers). In addition, many serial killers have a mental disorder which

can not be changed is that point in their life. “The most broadly recognized mental disorder

associated with serial killing is Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). This is a cluster B

personality in the DSM IV and is intimately related with psychopathy” (Pemment). Many

psychologists study how serial killers think and behave in a daily basis. They try to find factors

that might indicate why serial killers acquit recklessly; they have found that mental disorder can

play a huge role. Psychopathy is not considered a clinical condition however it is recognized by

neuroscientists as a development disorder(Pemment). For some people, there are many

personality or mental disorders that cannot be changed whether they seek assistance or not. It is

worth noting not everyone with these conditions are serial killers.

Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology states in their neurological study:

“Some cases of serial killers had a history of head injury and abnormality on computerized

\tomography (CT), electroencephalography (EEG) scans and neuropsychological testing. Brain

wave abnormality is seen in half of the psychopathic population, but only 15% of

non-psychopathic population shows this abnormality”(A CASE STUDY). The bizarre case of a

serial killer is definitely not ordinary and in many cases, mental abnormalities are present in their
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brain. This is one of the few things experts understand within a serial killer's mind. It is not the

only condition that identifies if someone is a serial killer but it is a factor that definitely affects

how they think and behave. Having these disorders does not protect or give justifications to serial

killers under the law. “As a group, serial killers suffer from a variety of personality disorders,

including psychopathy, anti-social personality, and others. Most, however, are not adjudicated as

insane under the law”(Serial Murder). This is stated by the FBI and as a result, it proves that

mental or personality disorders are not the only reasons serial killers commit murder. The

situations are far more complex and shows that their actions are unacceptable regardless of their

circumstances and condition. Their antisocial disorders are as unique as their habits of working,

forensic psychiatry continue to study these disorders to further understand them in relation to

serial killers.

Often, serial killers “possess a complete lack of remorse”(Rodgers) because of the crime

they have committed. “ ‘I don't feel guilty for anything. I feel sorry for people who feel guilt.’

”(Brogaard). Famous serial killer, Ted Bundy states this while being interviewed on his feeling

about committing those cold and aggressive acts on his victims. Many have responded the same

way as Bundy. However, beyond that; many also take measures to ensure they do not repent on

their doing . Serial killer Jeffery L. Dahmer “didn't wear his eyeglasses during his sanity trial

because he didn't want to see the jury and spectators”(STEPMOM SAYS). Many people took

interest upon why Dahmer chose to do this during his sanity trial. “I didn't ever want freedom” is

what Dahmer explained to the judge. He admittedly accepted what he did was wrong and refuses

to take repercussions upon his actions. Not wearing his glasses meant that he did not have to

remember the faces of the families who he killed. Dahmer also stated this affected him not being
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confined to a mental institution to have all his “freedom” stripped from him . He refers to

freedom of being a “sane” person; the mental institution would have stripped this away and label

him under “insane”. The popular belief that serial killers wish to be caught eventually is

incorrect, most “Serial killers do not have a death wish, nor a longing to get caught. Most go to

extremes to avoid detection”(Rodgers). If this idea of being caught was true​,t​ hen why would they

carefully plan out each murder over a long period of time? “It’s a myth that most serial killers

want to be caught. Mostly, they don't, and few ever express remorse”(Ramsland) a professor of

forensic writes online.

Another effect that serial killers have is they strike fear among neighborhoods and cost

the government a large chunk of money in their search. This is particularly disturbing to the

peace and health of a neighborhood. Due to these murders happening frequently yet so secretly,

communities are left with anxiety and much more. Unhealthy behaviour is adapted by the people

struck with this fear such as staying up all night because you cannot sleep due to the fear of the

serial killer. “Whitley said she's been up all night, staring out the window”(Anxiety Grips Florida

Neighborhood). This demonstrates that a particular neighborhood in Florida was under constant

fear after multiple killings occurred. Causing the individuals in the neighborhood to exhibit

negative effects such as anxiety. In addition, this causes the government to spend money and

resources due to the complexity of their search. For example, police departments must actively

search for the said serial killer, taking up a large amount their time. These searches require time

and money funded by the Federal government. Government agencies have to spend additional

money on resources such as lawyers and warrants to continue the search for serial killers.

Warrants are used to search potential suspects and the lawyers will be used during court trials.
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Since serial crimes are not a ordinary trial case, Federal agencies must spend additional money in

order to hire a more suitable lawyer for that special case. Society is also affected by these

decisions because we pay taxes. A portion of our local courts and police departments are funded

from our taxes. Serial cases are held as capital cases, which “are more expensive and take much

more time to resolve than non-capital cases”(Erb). This proves that the search for serial killer is a

costly, time consuming matter.

Religion is taken into account in making decisions by many people; this affects their

moral principles in a big way. Many argue and believe that the only person who should take

another human’s life is god himself. Contrary to this belief, ever since the colonial period, capital

punishment has been an authorized decision allowed to disregard religion. Capital punishment is

often in the best interest of the people because is considered justified. A country makes a

decision taking into account what is best for society as whole. Therefore, the death penalty

should not be viewed in a bad manner. In addition, the bible is filled with horrific mass killings.

For example, in 1 Samuel 18.25-28 “David buys his first wife with 200 Philistine foreskins

(Killing 70)”(Mehta).This proves that people who believe the death of a person should only be

authorized by God are bias. If the bible was able to depict this execution, it makes it acceptable

for a country to decide the life of a human. Also, in the ​Book of Genesis,​ it states “Whoever

sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own

image.”(9:6). This further supports the idea that capital punishment is authorized even by the

bible.

Punishment for serial killers has been a discussion among society for decades. The

government is entitled to take the life of serial killers in justification of their crimes. These
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crimes deeply affect communities and they experience prolonged negative effects. Many of the

serial killers are found to possess antisocial personality disorders such as: sociopathy and

psychopathy. These disorders are a lifelong issue that can they cannot get rid off. They lack the

remorse of a normal person in most cases and do not regret their actions. Additionally, they are

most likely to commit the same crimes if let loose. This is why many of the times, life without

parole or death is the punishment for them. Imprisonment of serial killers is ineffective; leaving

them in prison forever does not change their habits or mindset in most scenarios. Perhaps, If

punishment its increased, many of these criminals would think twice about their actions before

committing them. Taking a life of an individual is the worst thing that you can do to a person, so

having death as an immediate punishment to those who commit serial murder, would mean we

are making a max effort to enforce rules and eliminate this behaviour on society. Serial killers

prove to be burden to society and should be convicted to death after being caught.
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Works Cited

“Anatoly Onoprienko.” ​Crime Investigation,​ 26 Jul. 2017,

www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/anatoly-onoprienko.

“Anxiety Grips Florida Neighborhood amid Fears of Possible Serial Killer.”, ​NBC News​, 22 Oct.

2017,

www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/anxiety-grips-florida-neighborhood-amid-fears-possibl

e-serial-killer-n813136.

Brogaard, Berit. “The Making of a Serial Killer.”, ​Psychology Today​, 07 Dec. 2017. www.

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201212/the-making-serial-killer

Blanco, Ignacio Juan. “Anatoly ONOPRIENKO.”, ​Murderpedia,

www.murderpedia.org/male.O/o/onoprienko-anatoly.htm. Accessed 10 Oct. 2018.

“A CASE STUDY OF SERIAL KILLERS.”, ​Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine

& Toxicology, 2​ 009, medind.nic.in/jbc/t09/i2/jbct09i2p109.pdf.

Erb, Kelly. “Considering The Death Penalty: Your Tax Dollars At Work”, ​Forbes​, 01 May 2014,

www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2014/05/01/considering-the-death-penalty-your-ta

x-dollars-at-work/#5357d727664b.

Mehta, Hemant. “This Book Documents All the People God Slaughtered in the Bible.”,​Friendly

Atheist​, 25 Jul. 2013,

www.friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2013/07/25/how-many-people-did-god-slaughter-in-the

-bible-steve-wells-has-written-a-book-documenting-every-kill/.
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Pemment, Jack. “What Would We Find Wrong in the Brain of a Serial Killer?”, ​Psychology

Today​, 05 Apr. 2013, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/blame-the-amygdala/201304/

what-would-we-find-wrong-in-the-brain-serial-killer.

“Serial Murder.”, ​FBI​, 10 Oct. 2018, www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder.

Pemment, Jack.“Dissecting Empathy.”,

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/blame-the-amygdala/201309/dissecting-empathy.

“STEPMOM SAYS DAHMER LEFT GLASSES OFF TO AVOID SEEING JURY.”, ​Deseret

News,​ 19 Feb. 1992. www.deseretnews.com/article/210792/STEPMOM-SAYS-

DAHMER-LEFT-GLASSES-OFF-TO-AVOID-SEEING-JURY.html.

“Serial Killer Statistics.”, ​Radford University,​ 09 Apr. 2016,

www.maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Serial%20Killer%20Information%20Center/Serial%20Ki

ller%20Statistics.pdf​.

Ramsland, Katherine. “Killer's Remorse.”, ​Psychology Today​, 15 Apr. 2017,

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201704/killers-remorse.

Rodgers, Gary. “How to Avoid Being Murdered by a Serial Killer.”, ​HuffPost​, 03 Dec. 2015,

www.huffingtonpost.com/garry-rodgers/how-to-avoid-being-murder_b_8707446.html.  
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