The psychological profile of the killer, in 6 typical traits

Most murderers, whether serial or not, meet a series of basic psychological traits.

Murder is one of the most serious crimes that human beings can commit, and yet one of the oldest. From prehistoric times to the present day, cases have been found of people who have decided to end the lives of others in a premeditated manner. In fact, remains of massacres dating back more than 9,000 years have been found.

What are the characteristics of a murderer? Although there are a large number of causes or aspects that can mediate for a person to decide to take the life of another and it is not likely to establish a clear and universal profile for all murderers (there are a wide variety of possible profiles and typologies of murderers), in this article we try to outline a generic psychological profile on the subject.

Murder and homicide

We denominated murder to the act by means of which a person takes the life to another one of intentional way, existing in the act alevosía, ensañamiento or a compensation by the accomplishment of the act. If none of the above three circumstances are present, we would be talking about a homicide. we would be talking about a homicide.. Murder implies premeditation and the existence of some kind of motivation on the part of the agent causing the death. The agent causing death by means of murder is called a murderer.

Murder is a Blood crime punishable by law and can carry penalties of up to and can carry penalties ranging from imprisonment to capital punishment, depending on the law of the territory in which the accused is tried.

Motives that lead a person to kill another person can be very varied, from revenge to obtaining resources. There are many types of murderers and murders depending on the motive of the crime, the way it is carried out, the number of people killed or even the type of relationship established between victim and executioner. All this causes that a concrete profile must be made for each case, being able to find different characteristics in each typology of crime.

Psychological profile of the murderer: common characteristics

It is extremely complicated to establish a general psychological profile of the figure of the murderer, especially taking into account the great variety with regard to the possible causes of the murderous behavior.

Nevertheless, the following are some of the traits and characteristics that tend to be found in the murderer. traits and characteristics that tend to be fulfilled in a large proportion of cases.

1. View of the other as causing harm, threat or hindrance

While the specific causes may be many, as a general rule the person who commits murder sees his or her victim as someone who has caused him or her harm, poses a threat to his or her integrity or status or that of a loved one, or represents an obstacle.The victim may be a threat to his or her integrity or status or to that of a loved one, or an obstacle to achieving a particular goal.

It can also be a premeditated act of violence against someone who resembles a person who has caused the murderer harm, or even to satisfy a need with which the subject has nothing to do in principle.

2. High score in psychopathy

There are cases of murders that are committed against people who have no relationship with the murderer, as in many cases of serial killers or in cases where the murderer is a hired hitman hired to kill a person.

However, the vast majority of murders that can be observed are carried out between people who know each other or whose environment is linked, even if their contact has been circumstantial. This means that the murderer has the ability to distance himself emotionally from the victim, which fits a psychological profile with a high degree of psychopathy.

3. Discretion

Apparently, the personality of most murderers does not usually have great particularities that make them stand out from the rest of the population. The act of murdering is not delimited to a psychic structure that makes the person stand out for the type of social skills he/she has.

4. In many cases, low level of assertiveness.

Although they usually have a normal behavior, in many cases the murder occurs as a consequence of the birth of aggression towards a particular person due to varying circumstances. The murderer is not capable of handling the situation in any other way than murder, or, despite conceiving of another way, gives priority to causing the death of the future victim. gives priority to provoking the death of the future victim..

5. There is not necessarily a mental disorder

There is a social idea of identifying murder with the presence of psychopathology. However, in general this is not the case. Normally, most murders are provoked by people considered mentally healthy. persons considered mentally healthySome of the most frequent are hate crimes, crimes of passion or those linked to economic or resource issues.

An exception can be found in serial killers, who tend to suffer from extreme psychopathy, sociopathy or different disorders that alter the perception of reality.

6. Gender and age

In general, killers are usually young or middle-aged malesHowever, there are also numerous cases of female murderers and even child murderers. Traditionally, males tend to use more aggressive methods such as bladed weapons or guns while females tend to use less visible methods such as poisoning, although these tendencies seem to be less pronounced over time.

Serial killers: profile and common characteristics

There are many types of killers and murders, but one that has traditionally attracted the most attention due to its crudeness and the large number of victims it leaves in its wake is the serial killer. that of the serial killer or serial murderer.

A serial killer is an individual who intentionally and usually with premeditation takes the lives of at least three people intentionally and usually with premeditation within a specific in a specific period of time, with these murders being separated from each other.

This typology of murderers can also show a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of their characteristics, but they tend to share common elements. Among them are the following, which are mostly shared with people with psychopathy.

1. Lack of empathy

The serial killer usually uses murder as an instrument to obtain a benefit, for ideological reasons, or with the intention of unloading a specific frustration or fantasy. As a general rule tends not to know how to put himself in the place of his victim.Most of them lack empathy. A large part of them are classifiable as psychopaths and their motivations include a strange vision of reality, far removed from hegemonic ideologies.

2. They usually give the appearance of normality.

With some exceptions, serial killers generally do not manifest strange elements in their behavior that would lead one to think that they might be such.

3. Choice of vulnerable victims

Generally, the serial killer chooses victims who may be vulnerable to his actions because he considers them to be weaker or who can be manipulated manipulated in some way to leave them in a submissive situation. This is done to show that they are in control at all times.

4. They can be manipulative and even seductive.

Many serial killers have a high capacity for manipulation and seduction, employing these skills to get close to their victims with ease and to seduce them. approaching their victims with ease and without excessive resistance.. It is common for them to establish relationships with some ease, although in general these relationships are superficial.

5. Aversive environment

A large number of serial killers come from dysfunctional families or environmentswith a high level of violence. Many of them have suffered various types of abuse throughout their lives that hinder the acquisition of empathy and concern for the environment.