The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who operated in Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He claimed to have killed 37 victims, though police only confirmed seven killings. He taunted police and the public by sending encrypted letters with clues to his identity but was never caught. Some key facts are that he committed crimes in the San Francisco Bay area, left DNA evidence on stamps of taunting letters, and was likely a psychopath who enjoyed attention but blended in to avoid capture.

1. The Zodiac Killer
Famous Criminal Presentation
By: Victor Gutierrez
Forensic Science, Period 1
Bellflower High

2. Background
• The Zodiac Killer was a
serial killer who operated
is Northern California
during the late 1960s and
early 1970s.
• Played cat and mouse with
the police by sending
newspapers letters
revealing his crimes and
motives. • Sketch based on witness
• He claimed to have killed testimony.
37 victims, although police
only confirmed seven of his
killings.
• Was never caught and is
possibly still at large.

3. The Crimes & Scenes
• Seven definite • All crimes
victims. 5 dead , occurred within or
two injured. around the San
• David Faraday, Francisco Bay
Betty Lou Jensen, Area.
Michael Mageau
(survived), Darlene
Ferrin, Bryan
Hartnell (survived),
Cecelia Shepard, &
Paul Stine.
• From 12-20-68 to
10-11-69 • San Francisco Bay Area

4. Forensic Evidence
• Letters of
confession and
motives. • The symbol used by the Zodiac
Killer to sign his letters
• DNA from the
saliva found on the
stamps of the
letters.

5. Psychological Profile
• Most likely a • Lack of empathy or
psychopath remorse
(Antisocial • Unlawful behavior
personality (cat and mouse
disorder). with police).
• Blend in well
(hence never
caught).
• Competent, know
right from wrong
• Crave attention
(letters)

6. Interesting Facts
• In 2009, a woman • Other serial
claimed the Zodiac killers have
Killer was her imitated the Zodiac
father. However, Killer including
Heriberto Seda in
her previous claims NYC & Seito
that she was JFK’s Sakakibara in
daughter made her Japan.
claims unlikely. • Sent at least 18
• Multiple films have letters. Mostly to
been made about newspapers but
the Zodiac killer some to private
(1972, 2005, 2006, citizens.
2007), including
documentaries.

7. References
• Montaldo, Charles. "The Zodiac
Killer." About.com Crime / Punishment.
Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://crime.about.com/
od/history/a/zodiackiller.htm>.
• "Zodiac Killer." Wikipedia. Wikimedia
Foundation. Web. 27 Apr. 2012.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer>.
• Wark, Jake. "The Zodiac Killer." / Zodiac
Murders. Web. 28 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial
_killers/notorious/zodiac/river_1.html>.