Serial Killers, Mass Murderers and Terrorists: Some Data and Comparative Reflections

The study of crimes against human life is gaining space within the behavioral sciences and awakens the interest of government decision-makers, multilateral organizations and society. The different types and characteristics of these crimes are being investigated from biological, psychological, sociological and ecological approaches. The aim of this research is to determine the differentiating characteristics between the criminological profiles of the murderers. A qualitative, descriptive and applied methodology is used, through the review of literature and case studies. It is found that, beyond age, sex, and race, it is difficult to establish conclusive results in criminological studies. The main differentiating criterion of the serial killer is the emotional cooling time. Also, there is an outstanding similarity between mass murderers and terrorists; the main difference lies in ideological and political motivations. El estudio de los delitos contra la vida humana va ganando espacio dentro de las ciencias del comportamiento y despierta interés de decisores gubernamentales, organismos multilaterales y la sociedad. Los distintos tipos y características de estos crímenes son investigados desde cuatro enfoques: biológico, psicológico, sociológico y ecológico. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar las características diferenciadoras entre los perfiles criminológicos de los asesinos. Para ello, se emplea una metodología cualitativa, descriptiva y aplicada, a través de la revisión de la literatura y el análisis de estudios de casos. Se encuentra que, más allá de edad, sexo y raza, es difícil establecer resultados conclusivos en los estudios criminológicos. El principal criterio diferenciador del asesino en serie es el tiempo de enfriamiento emocional. Además, existe mucha semejanza entre los asesinos múltiple en un solo acto y los terroristas; la principal diferencia radica en las motivaciones ideológicas y políticas. Abstract The study of crimes against human life is gaining space within the behavioral sciences and awakens the interest of government decision-makers, multilateral organizations and society. The different types and characteristics of these crimes are being investigated from biological, psychological, sociological and ecological approaches. The aim of this research is to determine the differentiating characteristics between the criminological profiles of the murderers. A qualitative, descriptive and applied methodology is used, through the review of literature and case studies. It is found that, beyond age, sex, and race, it is difficult to establish conclusive results in criminological studies. The main differentiating criterion of the serial killer is the emotional cooling time. Also, there is an outstanding similarity between mass murderers and terrorists; the main difference lies in ideological and political motivations.