Mr. Fish

Kelly-“Vampire of Brooklyn”-Psychological Evaluation

Ms. Tori M. Kelly

21 March 2012

CJ 341 Sex Offenders

Professor Ovetta Peete

KGA-SEX OFFENDER ASSESSMENT

“VAMPIRE OF BROOKLYN”

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION

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Abstract:

The “Vampire of Brooklyn”, Mr. Albert Fish, who called himself Mr. Frank Howard,also

known as the “boogieman” and the “grey man”, was the most notorious predatory, psychopathic,

sexual, sadomasochistic, pedophiliac, cannibalistic, serial murderer ever recorded in world

history. His psychopathy was so multifaceted thatdevelopmentof new psychiatric diagnosis

became necessaryin order to define his vile tendencies.Due to the severity and duration of his

pathology, effectiverehabilitation would most likely have been remote. Research indicates that

precedent deviantbehaviorsin young children that typically escalate tosuch violent levels in

adultsare most likely treatable withpsychological intervention in order to circumvent this type of

sex offender.

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Mr. Albert Fish: Psychological Evaluation Report

PROFILE:OVERVIEW

Born: 19 may 1870: Hamilton Fish
Caucasian: Male
Alias: Frank Howard
Profession: Itinerant Painter/Handyman

FAMILY BACKGROUND:
Seven known relatives with mental disorder, 2 of which died during institutionalism. Father
deceased after subject turned 5; mother abandons and puts subject in orphanage. Subject
continued care for his six children when wife left after 19 yrs.; no report of assault toward family
by subject. Children requested to engage in masochism toward subject. Children noted subject
become psychopathic after wife left family(Taylor, 2004)(Howard & Smith, 2004)(Albert Fish,
2010)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert)(Albert H. Fish,2012).

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND:
Grand Larceny- Age 33: Jailed
Six counts: Writing lewd and pornographic letters to women: Incarcerated in psychiatric ward-2
weeks: Age 61 (46 total letters recovered)
Petty Theft: Jailed
Murder- Age 65: Executed- Age 65 (Evans, 2002)(Rawlins, Albert Fish Trial and Execution,
2003).

OFFENCES:
RAPE: (Admitted)Against children at age 20: Torture. Escalating to murder and cannibalism.
Admitted to over 400 victims; mostly African American. 100 confirmed.
MURDER: First at age 30. 15 reliably confirmed(Evans, 2002).

VICTIMOLOGY:
Child between the ages 8-15, preferably male but not strictly. Child is unsupervised, easily
persuaded and subdued. Child most often from poor socioeconomic background to draw as little
attention as possible to their disappearance(Victims of Violence Organization, 2011).

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PRECIPITATING EVENTS:
SubjectAbandoned by mother and wife. Suffered physical abuse in orphanage age 5-9, resulting
in early onset of masochistic fantasies. Witnessed zoosadism of a horse on fire. Head trauma to
frontal lobe of brain.
Subject’s children noted onset bizarre behavior after absence of their mother: Hallucinations.
Christ Complex. Obsession with sin, sacrifice, and atonement through pain. Enjoyment of being
paddled by children until buttocks bled(Taylor, 2004)(Flynn, 2007).

CRONOLOGICAL OFFENDER BACKROUND
Age 5:Placed in orphanage by mother after father’s death
Age 5-11:Bedwetting
Age 7: Fell from cherry tree causing frontal lobe head injury and headaches
Age 10: Reunited with mother
Age 12:Practiced drinking urine and eating feces taught to him by a youth whom he had a
relationship with. Visited public baths to watch nude boys
Age 15:Quit school. Changed name to Albert to escape taunting classmates calling him “Ham
and Eggs.”
Age 20: Male prostitute began raping young boys
Age 28:Married/ Fathered 6 children
Age 47:Wife left after 19 yrs. ( Remarried/divorced 3 additional times)
Enjoyed his children hitting his buttocks with nail-studded paddle until he bled
Enjoyment sticking pins in scrotum and under fingernails; burning self with hot irons
Developed morbid interest in castration of young boys
Age 54: Strangled/sexually assaulted/murdered 8 yr. old Francis McDonnell (male)
Age 55: Onset delusions and hallucinations
Age 56: Abducted 4 yr. old Billy Gaffney
Age 58:Changed name: Frank Howard: Kidnapped, raped, mutilated, cannibalized10 yr. old
Gracie Budd
Age 62: Mauled/murdered 15 yr. old Mary O’Connor
Age 64: Sent letter to Gracie Budd’s mother, detailing his onslaught
Age 65: Arrested for murder of Gracie Bud
Age 65: Expressed enjoymentfor his execution(Albert Fish, 2010)(Flynn, 2007)(Albert H.
Fish)(Borowski, 2007)(Howard & Smith, 2004)(Taylor, 2004)
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MTC: CM3 CHILD MOLESTER CATEGORY: BOTH: (Subject initially displays one,
leading to the other.)
Regressed: Sexual interests towards age appropriate partners (four wives); substitute children
during considerable stress (loss of first wife); victims often girls; opportunistic and impulsive
Fixated: High fixation/high social competence. High contact/narcissistic. Preoccupied with
children, establishing relationship through grooming and pre-meditation. Increased risk for re-
offending

MTC: R RAPIST TYPOLOGIES:
Sexual Gratification: extensive sexual fantasies or preoccupations, involving sadistic behaviors,
with high level of social competency
(The Etiology of Sexual Offending Behavior and Sex Offender Typology, 2012)

GROTH SEXUAL OFFENDER TYPOLOGIES :
Sadistic: sexual gratification from inflicting pain/suffering (Groth)
Opportunistic: need to satisfy immediate sexual impulses (Groth)
Approach-Explicit: Premeditate and avoid detection

GROTH RAPIST TYPOLOGIES:
Anger Rapist: expressing anger and hostility that has built up over time, inflicting severe
physical injury, subjecting victims to degrading and humiliating sexual acts, often preceded by a
precipitating life stressor
Sadistic Rapist: sexual arousal from inflicting pain and suffering by means of mutilation to the
degree of murder of their victims, involving meticulous planning and premeditation usually by
means of targeting and stalking because of specific attributes

SELF-REGULATION:
Approach-Explicit: wanting to and actively planning to engage in said behavior by targeting,
grooming, and taking extreme precaution to avoid detection. Able to premeditate and take
advantage of or even create opportunity, and experience positive emotions throughout the
anticipation of their planned outcome

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*DSM-IV MULTI-AXIAL DIAGNOSIS
AXIS I
295.30 SCHIZPHRENIA (298)- Paranoid Type; Continuous
302.4 Exhibitionism (569)
302.81 Fetishism (569)
302.2 Pedophilia (571) Sexually Attracted To Both/Exclusive Type
302.83 Sexual Masochism (572)
302.84 Sexual Sadism (573)
302.82 Voyeurism (575)
302.9 Paraphilia NOS (576) Other paraphilia not listed in DSM IV-TR

AXIS II
301.20 SCHIZOID PERSONALITY DISORDER (PREMORBID)(694)(Detachment: social relations)
301.7 ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDSER (701)(Childhood onset: disregard
for, and violation of, the rights of others, continues into adulthood)
301.83 BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER (706) (Abandonment fears/anger)
301.81 NARCICISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER (714) (Grandiosity/lack of empathy)
AXIS III: Headaches due to childhood frontal lobe brain injury
AXIS IV

PROBLEMS WITH PRIMARY SUPPORT GROUP (Parents, Spouse)

PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

(Lack of social support in orphanage)

EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS (Classmates)

PROBLEMS RELATED TO INTERACTION WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM/CRIME

OTHER PSYCHOSOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

(Discord in Orphanage)

AXIS V: (GAF) 1-10: Recurrent Violence

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OFFENDER’S PARAPHILIA DISORDERS:
*SEXUAL MASOCHISM: Arousal from being beaten
UROPHILIA: Enjoyment drinking urine
COPROPHILIA: Enjoyment eating feces
*VOYEURISM: Watching nude boys
INFIBULATION: Enjoyed sticking pins under fingernails
ALGOLAGNIA: Enjoyed sticking pins in scrotal area
INFANTOPHILIA: Aroused by children 5 or younger
*AUTOPEDOPHILLIA/PAEDOPHILIA: Aroused by prepubescent (5-11)
HEBEPHILIA: Aroused by pubescent children (12-14)
BIASTOPHILIA: Arousal from rape of unconsenting person
PEDERASTY: Enjoy raping young boys
*SEXUAL SADISM: Aroused by inflicting pain on others
COPROGRAPHIA: Enjoyed writing obscene letters
VAMPIRISM: Drawing/drinking blood
*EXHIBITIONISM: Sexually exposing oneself to others, with or without consent
EROTOPHONOPHILIA: Murder/mutilation
ANTHROPOPHAGY: Aroused by cannibalism
NYMPHOMANIA: Addicted to sexual arousal
FLAGELLATION: Aroused by whipping
CASTRATION: Removal of testicles
SELF-CASTRATION: Causing harm to the testicular area
FELLATIO: Oral sex of male genitals
CUNNILINGUS: Oral sex of female genitals
ANILINGUS: Oral sex of anus
*FETISHISM: Sexual arousal from a fetish
OLFACTOPHILIA: Aroused by smells
(Association, U 03 Pedophilic Disorder, 2011)(Association, U 05 Sexual Sadism Disorder,
2010)(Harlow)(List of Paraphilias, 2009)(Association, Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of
Mental Disorders- DSM IV-TR, 2000)

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DISCUSSION:

Albert Fish falls into many categories, subcategories, and cross categories of psychological

disorders, paraphilia, and sexually motivated criminal offenses. Over the course of fifty years

during the early 20th century, this subject engaged in sexually deviant behavior that escalated to

the degree of murder and beyond until his execution at the age of 65. He has proclaimed the

liability for almost 400 victims to his perversions, fifteen of whom authorities confirmed he

murdered. The following analysis revealsthis subject suffered more psychological maladies than

any human being in recorded history, and as such, most likely could not have been treated even

with the most contemporary psychotherapy.

Firstly, the subject was a serial killer, legally definedby the United States Bureau of Justice

Statistics (USBJS) as one who kills a number of people on at least three separate events over a

long period, with a “cooling-off” cycle between victims, and include four distinctive types, all of

which depict this subject. The Visionary Motive type, considered insane and psychotic due to

auditory hallucinations ordering the subject to kill. The Missionary-Oriented Motive type

displays no external psychosis but internally has the need to rid the world of what he considers

immoral or unworthy, selecting a specific group to kill. The Power-Control type seek complete

control over their victim, almost always involving sexual contact. The Thrill-Oriented Motive or

Hedonistic type kills sadistically for excitement. The Hedonistic Lust killer (subtype of the

previous)is in touch with reality, able to have relationships and gains sexual arousal by heinously

torturing their victim before killing them. (Jones, 2000)(Victims of Violence Organization,

2011).

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Based on this subject’s profile, he falls within all four types of serial killers. It has been

confirmed he victimized at least 15 individuals by means of luring a specific group into feeling

comfortable until he has the opportunity to satisfy his sexual arousal and sadistically torture them

todeath. Furthermore, his motive is to rid the world of individuals he considers immoral:

motivated by voices telling him to do so(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert).

There are three categories within each type. The organized killer premeditates and “grooms”

in order to establish the trust of his victim, as this subject did with Gracie Budd. The

disorganized killer will simply take advantage of an opportunity with little planning, if any. The

“mixed” displays both traits. This subject was both an opportunist, preying on unsupervised

children, as well as a methodical premeditative killer, depending on the situation (Jones, 2000).

According to the FBI criteria, the average serial killer usually exhibits the following traits, of

which only those applicable to this subject are listed(Victims of Violence, 2011):

Intelligent

History of a troubled childhood and/or broken family

History of violence against others

History of bedwetting

History of head trauma

Unable to hold on to long-term relationships (however, the killer may have been/be

married, or have children, but they are emotionally distant from their family)

White

Male

Around 25-35 years of age

Psychopathy

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Secondly, this subject is a child molester, which according to Groth, is divided into a

classifications system. The fixated offender displays a persistent, continual, and compulsive

proclivity toward children. The regressed offender is motivated by external stressors and focus

on children as a substitute for a loss of an age appropriate relationship. This subject exhibits

both, as he had a spousal relationship, which ended after 19 years. He then substituted sexual

gratification by having his and neighbor children paddle his buttocks. This escalated to being

fixated on children exclusively (Terry, 2006).

The Massachusetts Treatment Center: Child Molester Typology, version 3 (MTC:CM3)

system is based on two axes. Axis I measures the degree of fixation and social competency,

while Axis II measures the amount of contact the offender has with children. This subject falls

within an intense degree of fixation with high social competency, as he is able to socialize with

children and adults, positing him as type 1 in the first axis. Within the second axis, he is type 2,

exhibiting a high amount of narcissistic contact; and type 6: inflicting a high level of sadistic

physical injury (Terry, 2006).

Thirdly, the subject is a rapist. According to Groth Typologies, he is both an Anger and

Sadistic Rapist. According to the MTC:CM system (assessing primary motivation) he was

initially type 6: seeking sexual gratification on a non-sadistic level with high social

competency;escalating to type 4: seeking sexual gratification and opportunistic circumstances

with a high level of social competency in a sadistic, overt manner. (MTC: R)(Subtypes and

Typologies).

The Self-Regulation Model(not yet technically considered to be a typology approach),

classifies sex offenders into subgroups based on whether or not their primary intent or desire is to

commit or avoid committing a sex offense. This subject is the Approach-Explicit as he actively

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plans and wants to engage in this behavior and grooms a specific target, avoiding

detection(Subtypes and Typologies, 2012).

Roth and MTC Typologies are useful in developing more individualized and effective

management strategies for law enforcement to apprehend sexual offenders. These classifications

do not provide a dynamic developmental scale that measures a rapist over time, but are an

assessment of sexual offender behavior regarding a particular moment, setting, and victim. They

do not encompass a complete criminal profile but are purported only to accompany a thorough

diagnostic psychological evaluation as far as rehabilitation is concerned.

In considering possible treatment for a sex offender, we must refer to the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). Following is a multi-axial

diagnosis where in axis I we examine primary psychopathy, followed by axis II secondary

diagnosis. Axis III measures general medical conditions. Axis IV measures psychosocial and

environmental problems. Axis V, a Global Assessment of Functioning measurement of symptom

severity and overall level of individual functioning.

This subject falls into the diagnostic criteria for Schizophrenia in axis I marked by: (1)

delusions that he is Christ and ordained by God to inflict pain and suffering on his victims as a

means of sacrificing them for the purpose of salvation from sin and that eating their flesh and

drinking their blood is a spiritual ritual. According to the subject, he is acting out of “love” and

in the case of Rosie Budd, he was saving her from future sin by murdering her as a virgin. (2)

(Auditory) hallucinations of God telling him to commit these acts, with visions of Christ and

himself as a child revisiting him frequently during his violent episodes. Subject also exhibits

marked social dysfunction, as he cannot maintain a meaningful sexual relationship with age

appropriate individuals. He has no social ties within the community and only falsely initiates

them for the purpose of satisfying his psychopathy. The duration has lasted longer than six

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months, onset occurred in subject’s youth and escalated through adulthood(Association,

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders- DSM IV-TR, 2000)(Borowski,

2007)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert, 2012).

Subject also meets criteria for the Schizophrenic Paranoid Subtype: Continuous marked by

delusions that are typically persecutory, grandiose, and religious in nature. Anger often

accompanies episodes predisposing the subject to violence. Subject’s prognosis is good, as he

has the capacity for occupational functioning as a drifting painter and independent living(DSM-

IV).

Six Paraphilia from this diagnostic tool apply to the subject. He meets the criteria for

Exhibitionism: exposing his genitals to his victims (who are for all intents and purposes a

stranger prior to grooming). He has recurrent, intense sexual arousing fantasies, urges or

behaviors involving the exposure, which he has acted on and which have caused interpersonal

difficulties(Association, Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders- DSM IV-TR,

2000)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert, 2012)(Borowski, 2007).

This subject meets the criteria for Fetishism: sexual arousal from touching and/or smelling

one of his victim’s baseballs and the flesh of Gracie Budd prior to consumption. This behavior is

recurrent and has lasted more than six months, and has caused social dysfunction(Flynn, 2007).

Subject also meets the criteria for Pedophilia: acting on fantasies of sexual contact with

children, which has caused interpersonal difficulty for a period of more than six months. He is

primarily but not exclusively sexually attracted to boys and of Exclusive Type being attracted

only to children ( DSM IV-TR, 2000)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert, 2012) ( U 03

Pedophilic Disorder, 2011).

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One of the subjects earliest and most prevelant disorders is Sexual Masochism, as he became

sexualy aroused while being beaten at the orphanage, which escalated to self infliction in various

forms. From this, he advanced to Sexual Sadism as he began to be aroused by inflicting pain on

others. He would frequent public baths to watch boys in the nude, thus Voyerism satisfied his

sexual arousal(DSM IV-TR, 2000) (Sexual Masochism Disorder, 2010) (U 05 Sexual Sadism

Disorder, 2010).

Within Axis II, four disorders are diagnosed. The subject meets criteria for Schizoid

Personality Disorder-Premorbid, as he suffered detatchment from social relationships prior to

onset of Schizophrenia. He exhibited early adult onset of restricted range of expression of

emotions in interpersonel settings. He niether desired or enjoyed close relationships, took no

pleasure in activites other than abusive behavior, and expressed flattened affectivity(Association,

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders- DSM IV-TR,

2000)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert).

The subject satisfies criteria for childhood onset of Antisocial Personality Disorder, as he

failed to conform to social norms, was deceitful with lies, used an alias at age 15, conning others

for personal pleasure, engaging in assaults against boys, lack of remorse and Conduct Disorder

prior to the age of 15(Association, Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders-

DSM IV-TR, 2000)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert).

Subject also conforms to criteria for Boderline Personality Disorder: fear and avoidance of

abandonment which began after his mother left him in the orphanage and agravated subjects

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dysfunction remarkabbly after his first wife left him. The loss of external structure lead to

profound changes in self-image. He suffered sexual impulsivity which was both self-damaging

and damaging to others, recurrent self-mutilation, affective instability, and chronic feelings of

emptiness(DSM IV-TR, 2000)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert)(Borowski, 2007).

Finally, the subject is in accordance with criteria for Narcicistic Personality Disorder as

marked by a grandiose sense of self-importance exhibited through delusions of being Christ and

ordaned by God. He was preoccupied with fantasies of power and believed he was special and

could only be understood by others like him. He also has a sense of entitlement to his victims, is

interpersonally exploitative as he did so to helpless children, lacks empathy and displays haughty

behaviors and attitudes(DSM IV-TR, 2000)(Articles/Biographies/Criminals/Fish, Albert, 2012)

In Axis III subject has headaches resulting from frontal lobe trauma after he fell from a

cherry tree at age 7(Rutigliano, 2008).

In Axis IV it is determined that the subject has psychosocial and environmental problems

which may effect diagnosis and treatment of Axes I and II. Firstly he had problems with his

primary support group: his mother and wives. Secondly, he had problems related to the social

environment as he could never find someone like himself to have a meaningful relationship with

and he lacked social support in the orphanage. Thirdly, he had educational problems, as

classmates would tease him about his name. He also had problems with the legal system, having

been incarcerated for various crimes. Finally, this subject experienced other psychosocial and

environmental problems such as discord in the orphanage, and having to take care of his six

children after his wife left them(Albert Fish, 2010) (DSM-IV, 2000).

In accordance with the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, with 1 being the lowest and

100 being the highest, this subject scores 1-10, exhibiting persistent danger of severely harming
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self or others, though initially he would have scored early onset of only 11-20 marked by some

danger of hurting self or others. This completes the DSM-IV Multi-Axial

Diagnosis(Association, Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders- DSM IV-TR,

2000).

ETIOLOGY:

The following analysis will serve to provide a multicausal explanation of the etiology of the

subject’s sexually deviant behavior. Several theories apply here which will be examined.

Sigmund Freud’s psychdynamic theory posits that sexual “perversions” are a result of childhood

deprevation, which this subject did indeed endure not only by his mother’s abandonment but the

lack of physical affection while he was in the orphanage, which was replaced instead by physical

abuse. Freud further explains that regression to one of the four stages of sexual development is

also a factor. During the phallic stage (ages 3-6) the pleasure zones switch to the genitals(Terry,

2006). Beause this subject was physically abused during this stage, I speculate that as he had an

erection during this type of interaction, he associated pain and suffering with sexual pleasure.

According to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, during level one (preconventional

morality) in the first stage children see rules as fixed and absolute. Rules in the orphanage were

ambiguous, as the children were abused regardless of adherance or not. As a result, because this

subject experienced pleasure while being punished, his concept of right and wrong have become

distorted. In stage two, children account for individual thought and actions based on how they

serve their needs(Cherry, 2012). As this subject sought the pleasure through punishment, devient

behavior would certainly satisfy this need.

At level two(conventional morality), stage three focuses on conforming to social norms.

While in the orphanage this subject experienced conflicting expectations and uncertanty of what
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those social norms were through physical abuse. To him, the abuse was the norm, as was the

abandonment by his mother, which interfered with close emotional attachment. Stage four

focuses on maintaining social order by respecting authority, which in this case was abusive, thus

respect for pain and suffering ensued(Cherry, 2012).

Level three (postconventional morality) in stage five development of differing values,

opinions and beliefs of other people hinges on the agreement of individual members of society

as to what they are. Given the subjects history, these would be ambiguous as he begins to

develop his own distorted personal standards in order to cope with his environment, which

became more embeded in the final stage of moral development. At this stage internalized

principals are are the dtermining factor of behavior, regardless of whether they conflict with laws

and rules(Terry, 2006). Based on this theory, the abusive history of this subject has altered his

perceptions in regards to socially accepted morals. Though he realizes what they are, he doesn’t

agree with them, thus depends on his own internalized moral reasoning, whether or not it is

acccepted by society.

According to the Biological Theory, the androgenic process where the level of testosterone in

the testes increase dramatically in males upon reaching puberty and sex drive during this time. It

is believed that testosterone is the primary biological factor responsible for male sexual drive.

Hence, in this case the subject experienced conflicting sexual arousal at this stage,which in turn

created imbalanced hormone levels and attributed tohis sexual devience. Furthermore, there is a

correlation between agression and high levels of testosterone. Abnormal hormonal and

androgenic levels in the brain account for pedophiliac tendencies. Researchers have shown that

increased levels of erotic activity coresponds to increased levels of testosterone. Bancroft (1978)

states there is implication that hormone levels are affected by erotic stimulus(Terry, 2006). I

surmise this was a contributing factor of this subject’s psychopathy.

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The Feminist Theory speculates that rape is a means of control and domination over women

from a cultural, political and historical perspective. Child molestors however, express sexual

entitlement over children, as in this case. Pedophiles tend to be narcissistic and insensitive to the

harm they cause their victims. They also demonstrate “sexually specific attitudes” observed in

male rapists who discriminate against adult females (Terry, 2006).

The Attachment Theory postulates that as human beings we have the innate tendency to form

emotionally bonding relationships and that the lack there of during stages of development can

inhibit an individual’s ability to form meaningful relationships with age-appropriate mates. This

critically applies during adolescence as they develop sexuality and social competence. Research

indicates sexual offenders had an attachment deficiency in childhood which hindered their ability

to form meaningful relationships in adulthood. In support of this theory and of the four

categories, this subject predominantly exhibits a dissmissing, insecure attachment style. He has a

negative concept of others yet a positive self- concept and high level of self- confidence. His

childhood deprived him of any strong social bond, thus interfering with positive emotions meant

to be associated with sexuality(Terry, 2006). The fact that he targets children seems to indicate

his sexual comfort zone idled in adolescence rather than properly developed into adulthood.

Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Theories assert an individual’s thoughts govern their

actions and as such, justify theirs and others’ actions through cognitive distortions. It is further

noted that offenders divert blame from themselves toward their victims or environment.

Retrospectivly, this subject developed in a misperceiving environment which would elucidate his

malformed thinking. Within this perspective, sexual deviant behavior itself is deemed a

symptom of a treatable disorder through behavioral therapy(Terry, 2006). I assert in this

subject’s case however, that this prospect is possible but not probable.

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The premise Psychosocial Theories purportthat external factors and the parallel between

sociological and psychological variations affect sexual behavior, hence deviance is attributed to

misplaced socialization. Rapists correlate violence with sexual gratification, as does this subject,

which began in childhood during recurrent physical abuse and supports this theory as well. His

difficulty maintaining agemate relationships is also indicative of external factors that altered his

sexual preference. Within this concept, the “cycle of abuse” theory is inconclusive as the single

origin of sexual offending behavior and is intended to accompany other factors(Terry, 2006).

The most comprehensive theory encompasses all of the ones discussed, which are taylored to

offenders on an individual basis. The Integrated Theory is one I support and would deffinately

apply to this subject. It is further indicated that experiences in childhood relationships have a

modeling effect for the formation of adult ones(Terry, 2006). The modeling as it applies to this

subject was violent, which accounts for his abusive relations with children.

It is posited that childhood head trauma, particularly involving the frontal lobe of the brain,

accounts for a large percentage of precipitating factors that cause violent behavior. This area of

the brain is considered to control social behavior. Research has shown that individuals who had

normal personalities prior to this type of trauma developed abnormal social conduct and

inadequate decision-making and planning skills. A recent study indicates 20 out of 31 confessed

killers are diagnosed with mental illness, 64% of whom suffered frontal lobe

abnormalities(Rutigliano, 2008). I postulate that this was a contributing factor in this subject’s

violent actions.

MOTIVE:

When asked what motivated this subject to kill he replied,”passion” as he alluded to a

childhood memory witnessing some boys lighting a horses tail on fire and watching it try to run

to escape the flames. He expounded that it was the fire that fed his passion. This is indicatvie of

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pyromania and could also explain why he would put cotton balls doused with alcohol into his

rectum and light fire to them. It appears credible that his “passion” directs to pain and

suffering(Flynn, 2007).

In order to possibly ascertain this subject’s motive for cannibalism let us consider historical

ones. Ancient tribes in Australia would eat their defeated enemies believing they would gain

their strength, knowledge, courage, power and bravery(Nosotro, 2010). Biblical accounts of

sacrifice were made in order to demonstrate obedience to God. In the case of serial murderer

Jeffrey Dahmer, his motive was driven by wanting to make his victims a part of him, who could

never leave. I speculate that this subject cannibalized some of his victims due to abandonment

issues, and like Dahmer, wanted his victims to be with him forever.

There is one observed flaw in his confession that he used pain and suffering as an expression

of love by means of absolving his victims of sin, as instructed by his halucinations. I pose the

question, why then did he not “absolve” his own children whom he loved so much? One of the

disadvantages evaluating violent offenders, relying greatly on a deceptive individual, is whether

their accounts are credible. No other descrepancies were noted.

TREATMENT:

Release of a seral killer back into society through means of rehabilitation while in prison is a

vastly controversial issue. Forensic Psychologist Dr Keith Ashcroft says that "extreme caution

must be exercised when making any decisions on serial murderers being freed. The majority of

serial sexual homicide offenders will be diagnosed as having psychopathic personality disorder,

which the vast majority of clinicians would view as being problematic in terms of treatment.Such

psychopaths are extremely good at manipulating prison staff, as well as mental health

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professionals, and over time they can eventually be perceived as being 'cured' and ready for

reintroduction into society” (Brown, 2009).

Prison Psychiatrist Consultant, Dr. Bob Johnson argues, "their motivation is always the same.

It's a rage carried on through from childhood. If you brutalise children you get brutal adults. It as

if they have never moved on from the age they were at that time.They're in a kindergarten cage.

Once you remove the cause for their actions you remove the stress and they begin to behave like

secure civilised adult"(Brown, 2009).

Given thisdeliberation, though historically there has been no evidence of successful

rehabilitation of serial killers, that is not to say that it is impossible. That being said, if this

subject were to receive treatment, I would recommend the following. Psychotropic

pharmeseudicals for treatment of schizophrenia and other personality disorders. Cognitive-

Behavioral Therapy would also be indicated, proposing to restructure this subject’s thought

process and behavioral skills, combined with Psychodynamic Therapy through hypnosis,

attempting to reintegrate abusive memories and displace subject’s negative conceptions with

conducive reactive reasoning. The success of this multi-therapeutic approach would most likely

be remote given the fifty year duration of this offender, however this methodology could be

valuable in attempting to rehabilitate juvenile offenders.

The more theoretical premise we can apply to an individual abusedchild, the more likely we

can intervene predictable conclusions in order to circumvent the inevitable outcome. By

reintegrating the child through psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is very

plausible to restructure their transition into adulthood that would have otherwise been a violent

one. While recognizing victims of child abuse is beyond the scope of this evaluation, I contend
20


that by doing so, we as a society would make better use of our resources attempting to prevent

the circumstances and eliminate the factors responsible for manifesting such violent behavior,

rather than try to remedy the problem after the damage has been done.

CONCLUSION:

In theory we come to have a better understanding of what drove Mr. Albert Fish to such

horrendous behavior. Given that he was able to escape detection for over 50 years, the escalation

and intensity of his social deviance reached levels far exceeding all other violent criminals. Had

they not been apprehended by authorities, it is speculated that they too would reach the degree of

psychpathy observed in Mr.Fish.

Historically, rehabilitation of extremly violent criminals is moot. Intervention is the best

prevention. It is hypothesized that serial killers spawn at a very young age and that by removing

the individual from their precipitating environment, it it less likely they will transform into a

violent killer in adulthood.

I conclude that all of the research directed at the aftermath of violent offenders of this

magnitude, should now shift to researching what types of interventions are successful. More

money and lives would be saved. More importantly, young children will get the therapy they
21


need in order to become productive members of society, and be given the chance to have a

meaningful life, as I believe Mr. Albert Fish could have.

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03 Pedophilic Disorder:

Borowski, J. (Director). (2007). Albert Fish-In Sin He Found Salvation [Motion Picture].
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Brown, G. (2009). Can Serial Killers Be Rehabilitated. Retrieved May 01, 2012, from BBS News:
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Taylor, R. (2004). Dead Men Do Tell Tales. Retrieved Mar 22, 2012, from Albert Fish:
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