SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer
1
Tori Kelly
Code of the Serial Killer
23 September 2011
Westwood College
Criminal Justice
Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer
2
Abstract:
For years, medical professionals have correlated biological and/or environmental prototypes
to serial murderers. The most prevalent factors have traditionally been children who suffered
repeated abuse or brain deficiency. The first theory however, fails to recognize one very
fundamental flaw: legitimacy of the serial killer’s accounts during consultation. Being that these
criminals are cunning predators, allocates a wide span of doubt and a very narrow window of
scientific certainty. Rather than relying on erroneous data garnered from the past, we need to
assess the present as a means of hopefully averting the foundation of a serial killer in the future.
Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer
3
Not all serial killers suffered from child abuse or brain deficiency; and not all abused or brain
deficient children become serial killers. According to assessment data, 36% suffered from
physical child abuse; 26% sexual abuse; 50% psychological abuse; and 18% neglect (Mitchell &
Aamodt, 2005). Biologically, the part of the brain that controls negative and violent behavior is
genetically different between violent prone individuals and the general population. In 2000, Dr.
Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin compared 500 brain scans and discovered
diminished or lack of brain activity in the orbital frontal cortex and the anterior cingulated cortex
of violent killers, theorizing this as the cause of uncontrollable urges (Serial Killers: Nature vs.
Nurture-How Serial Killers are Born, 2011). While scientists attribute violent murder to genetics;
criminologists and psychosocial behaviorists argue that environmental factors predispose savage
tendencies. In my conclusion, although research partially supports both theories, combining
them is essential to provoke a serial killer.
Early signs of violent propensities have been documented in young boys who torture animals.
Studies indicate this behavior tends to escalate toward human beings. Young girls have been
observed to display violent behavior towards dolls, but more studies are needed (Serial Killers:
Nature vs. Nurture-How Serial Killers are Born, 2011).
Although child abuse intervention is difficult due to lack of cooperation with the parents,
laws need to be enacted requiring children displaying violent behavior in school to receive
psychological assessment and therapy or be removed from the home. While this would require
resources, the costs of the consequences are greater. Besides valuable lives being lost, serial
killers require many professionals working together to apprehend them.
Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer
4

More Related Content

Similar to Code Of The Serial KIller

Unit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docx
Unit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docxUnit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docx
Unit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docx
kdennis3
 
Trait theory
Trait theoryTrait theory
Trait theory
Shaista Mariam
 
Theories Of Juvenile Delinquency
Theories Of Juvenile DelinquencyTheories Of Juvenile Delinquency
Theories Of Juvenile Delinquency
Lisa Brown
 
Running head CAUSES OF CRIME .docx
Running head CAUSES OF CRIME                                     .docxRunning head CAUSES OF CRIME                                     .docx
Running head CAUSES OF CRIME .docx
joellemurphey
 
Literature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docx
Literature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docxLiterature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docx
Literature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docx
pauline234567
 
Probable Causes
Probable CausesProbable Causes
Probable Causes
reedd34
 
After completing your first course project assignment, you should .docx
After completing your first course project assignment, you should .docxAfter completing your first course project assignment, you should .docx
After completing your first course project assignment, you should .docx
galerussel59292
 
2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx
2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx
2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx
robert345678
 
Genetics research project stem cells
Genetics research project   stem cellsGenetics research project   stem cells
Genetics research project stem cells
somsscience7
 
List Of Human Rights Issues
List Of Human Rights IssuesList Of Human Rights Issues
List Of Human Rights Issues
secretheat
 
Deviant Behavior 6
Deviant Behavior 6Deviant Behavior 6
Deviant Behavior 6zmiers
 
Running Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docx
Running Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docxRunning Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docx
Running Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docx
cowinhelen
 
Harvesting stem cells
Harvesting stem cellsHarvesting stem cells
Harvesting stem cellssomsscience7
 

Similar to Code Of The Serial KIller (15)

Unit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docx
Unit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docxUnit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docx
Unit VII Assignment IntroductionThe Nature vs- Nurture debate is a lon.docx
 
Trait theory
Trait theoryTrait theory
Trait theory
 
Trait theory
Trait theoryTrait theory
Trait theory
 
Theories Of Juvenile Delinquency
Theories Of Juvenile DelinquencyTheories Of Juvenile Delinquency
Theories Of Juvenile Delinquency
 
Running head CAUSES OF CRIME .docx
Running head CAUSES OF CRIME                                     .docxRunning head CAUSES OF CRIME                                     .docx
Running head CAUSES OF CRIME .docx
 
Eyes of a Serial Killer
Eyes of a Serial KillerEyes of a Serial Killer
Eyes of a Serial Killer
 
Literature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docx
Literature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docxLiterature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docx
Literature ReviewAshley AshleyColumbia Southern .docx
 
Probable Causes
Probable CausesProbable Causes
Probable Causes
 
After completing your first course project assignment, you should .docx
After completing your first course project assignment, you should .docxAfter completing your first course project assignment, you should .docx
After completing your first course project assignment, you should .docx
 
2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx
2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx
2Serial Killer Nature vs. NurtureStudents Name.docx
 
Genetics research project stem cells
Genetics research project   stem cellsGenetics research project   stem cells
Genetics research project stem cells
 
List Of Human Rights Issues
List Of Human Rights IssuesList Of Human Rights Issues
List Of Human Rights Issues
 
Deviant Behavior 6
Deviant Behavior 6Deviant Behavior 6
Deviant Behavior 6
 
Running Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docx
Running Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docxRunning Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docx
Running Head JUVENILE PROSTITUTIONJUVENILE PROSTITUTION.docx
 
Harvesting stem cells
Harvesting stem cellsHarvesting stem cells
Harvesting stem cells
 

More from torikelly

Giants On A Shrinking Planet
Giants On A Shrinking PlanetGiants On A Shrinking Planet
Giants On A Shrinking Planettorikelly
 
Memphis Three
Memphis ThreeMemphis Three
Memphis Threetorikelly
 
Communication Kga Csi
Communication Kga CsiCommunication Kga Csi
Communication Kga Csi
torikelly
 
Kga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick Defense
Kga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick DefenseKga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick Defense
Kga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick Defense
torikelly
 
Tori Kelly Corrections
Tori Kelly CorrectionsTori Kelly Corrections
Tori Kelly Corrections
torikelly
 
Anthology Of Forensic Evidence Cited
Anthology Of Forensic Evidence CitedAnthology Of Forensic Evidence Cited
Anthology Of Forensic Evidence Cited
torikelly
 

More from torikelly (7)

Giants On A Shrinking Planet
Giants On A Shrinking PlanetGiants On A Shrinking Planet
Giants On A Shrinking Planet
 
Mr. Fish
Mr. FishMr. Fish
Mr. Fish
 
Memphis Three
Memphis ThreeMemphis Three
Memphis Three
 
Communication Kga Csi
Communication Kga CsiCommunication Kga Csi
Communication Kga Csi
 
Kga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick Defense
Kga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick DefenseKga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick Defense
Kga Criminal Law Not Guilty By Reason Of Slick Defense
 
Tori Kelly Corrections
Tori Kelly CorrectionsTori Kelly Corrections
Tori Kelly Corrections
 
Anthology Of Forensic Evidence Cited
Anthology Of Forensic Evidence CitedAnthology Of Forensic Evidence Cited
Anthology Of Forensic Evidence Cited
 

Code Of The Serial KIller

  • 1. Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer 1 Tori Kelly Code of the Serial Killer 23 September 2011 Westwood College Criminal Justice
  • 2. Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer 2 Abstract: For years, medical professionals have correlated biological and/or environmental prototypes to serial murderers. The most prevalent factors have traditionally been children who suffered repeated abuse or brain deficiency. The first theory however, fails to recognize one very fundamental flaw: legitimacy of the serial killer’s accounts during consultation. Being that these criminals are cunning predators, allocates a wide span of doubt and a very narrow window of scientific certainty. Rather than relying on erroneous data garnered from the past, we need to assess the present as a means of hopefully averting the foundation of a serial killer in the future.
  • 3. Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer 3 Not all serial killers suffered from child abuse or brain deficiency; and not all abused or brain deficient children become serial killers. According to assessment data, 36% suffered from physical child abuse; 26% sexual abuse; 50% psychological abuse; and 18% neglect (Mitchell & Aamodt, 2005). Biologically, the part of the brain that controls negative and violent behavior is genetically different between violent prone individuals and the general population. In 2000, Dr. Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin compared 500 brain scans and discovered diminished or lack of brain activity in the orbital frontal cortex and the anterior cingulated cortex of violent killers, theorizing this as the cause of uncontrollable urges (Serial Killers: Nature vs. Nurture-How Serial Killers are Born, 2011). While scientists attribute violent murder to genetics; criminologists and psychosocial behaviorists argue that environmental factors predispose savage tendencies. In my conclusion, although research partially supports both theories, combining them is essential to provoke a serial killer. Early signs of violent propensities have been documented in young boys who torture animals. Studies indicate this behavior tends to escalate toward human beings. Young girls have been observed to display violent behavior towards dolls, but more studies are needed (Serial Killers: Nature vs. Nurture-How Serial Killers are Born, 2011). Although child abuse intervention is difficult due to lack of cooperation with the parents, laws need to be enacted requiring children displaying violent behavior in school to receive psychological assessment and therapy or be removed from the home. While this would require resources, the costs of the consequences are greater. Besides valuable lives being lost, serial killers require many professionals working together to apprehend them.
  • 4. Kelly-Code of the Serial Killer 4