After twenty-five years of investigating, analyzing, and interviewing serial killers, their family members, neighbors, and even surviving victims, Jack Levin has become one of the world''s most respected experts on the motivations and modus operandi of dangerous criminals. In this gripping book, he taps his wealth of experience with the criminal mind to offer lessons for law enforcement and the general public about how serial killers think, as well as the conditions under which hideous murders typically occur. These lessons, he hopes, will lead to more effective ways to thwart such crimes in the future. Levin''s face-to-face meetings and correspondence with such notorious murderers as the Hillside strangler (Kenneth Bianchi) and Orville Lynn Majors (the male nurse who was convicted of killing numerous patients in his charge) reveal that these types of killers are not motivated by money, revenge, or rage. In fact, the only motivation seems to be a sadistic craving for power and a need to feel in control. Levin also, for the first time, lets down his guard and reveals what it feels like to be seated so close to such cold-blooded killers.Many killers, as Levin points out, are meticulous planners. Levin has found that even in situations that appear spontaneous, for instance a workplace shooting by a disgruntled employee, the deed is carefully thought out and prepared for in advance. Another factor that consistently emerges in conversations with killers who have committed the most heinous of acts is the total absence of remorse or any notion of moral responsibility. Murder appears to be easy for these criminals and they kill with a feeling of complete impunity. Levin also notes the skillfully deceptive facades that such murderers are able to affect. They are extremely adept liars (he admits to having been fooled!), who enjoy playing mind games, even though outwardly they seem above suspicion. This is one reason they are so dangerous and difficult for investigators to track down and prosecute. This chilling glimpse into the minds of some of the worst criminals makes a valuable contribution to criminology and is a must-read for both true-crime buffs and law enforcement professionals.

Examines the methods and motivations of serial killers, identifies similarities in the criminal behavior of different mass murderers, and profiles such notorious criminals as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ken Bianchi, and Danny Rolling.

This book brings together an international collection of research literature on the topics of criminal profiling and serial violent crime by integrating the respected insights of both scholars and practitioners from around the globe. It explains etiological factors and psychological mechanisms to reveal criminal motives.

They were born into this world as innocent children. They ended up as merciless killing machines. How to Make a Serial Killer leads the reader on an insightful, scary, and often disturbing investigation into what made these infamous murderers go bad. Is there really a 'demon seed'? Do genes play a role? Was it their family background? How did pe...

Extreme Killing offers a comprehensive overview of multiple homicide, including both serial and mass murder. Filled with classic and contemporary case studies, this fully updated Fourth Edition reflects a growing concern for specific types of multiple homicides—indiscriminate public massacres, terrorist attacks, hate crimes, and school shootings—as well as largely debated issues such as gun control and mental illness. Renowned experts and authors in the field, James Alan Fox, Jack Levin, and Emma Fridel bring their years of research and experience to create distinctions between serial and mass murders, address characteristics of both killers and their victims, and recognize the special concerns around multiple murder victims and their survivors. Students will examine the latest theories of criminal behavior and apply them to mass and serial murderers from around the world, such as the mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas, the Grim Sleeper in Los Angeles, the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, the shooting of nine African Americans by a white supremacist in a Charleston church, and more.

The best of the best. The most interesting serial killer cases of all time presented chapter by chapter.

Vulture explores the minds and crimes of sadistic serial predators. After examining her own cases, studying dozens of solved cases, researching the killers' lives, and interviewing the killers, Dr. Schurman-Kauflin created new profiles of sadistic killers. Vulture provides a comprehensive, fascinating new look into the minds and crimes of sadists. The book even includes Dr. Schurman-Kauflin's analysis of the BTK serial killer, a profile which BTK renamed "Hits" and sent to police. In chilling detail, Dr. Schurman-Kauflin takes us through sadistic crimes around the world. Gruesome and horrifying cases are analyzed. The profiling process and the mindsets of these killers are presented. Finally, from the mouths of the killers come the most frightening thoughts and details.