The Case Analysis presented in this paper pertains to serial killers, and the way their psychological processes affect their behaviors which not only affect themselves but society as a whole. A review of the literature on serial killers and the way policing uses certain investigative techniques of forensic psychology; show how it is very much possible that a serial killer’s behavior and thinking patterns have a direct relation to the way the killer as a child was raised in a family where all forms of abuse took place. Due to the dangerous nature of individuals who commit acts of serial murders, and the difficulty in securing interviews from convicted murderers, the method of study, and subsequent analysis, manifests out of the research technique.
For example, the book, The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez, by Philip Carlo (1996), tells the story of Richard Ramirez, a very well known serial killer who was committing his crimes during the 1980s in California and murdered at least thirteen people while leaving few survivors in his wake.
His more well known alias the media gave him was The Night Stalker because he would commit most of his murders in the dead of night. He would also tell most of his victims to, “Swear on Satan,” (1996) before killing them which he believed showed his commitment to Satan himself. He was eventually caught but while everyone knew he was very much a psychopath; his personality and behavior was still very shocking and confusing to many criminal investigators and psychologists.
Richard Ramirez opened a bigger door into trying to understand how serial killers are formed and how their psychological and social processes are what enable the types of chaotic and destructive behavior they force onto others around them. Because a lot of this research involves using academics, psychological analysis and analysis of law enforcement procedures it is my intention that the content of this book, which now serves as the Primary Data Source, plays a significant role in improving our understanding of the horrendous murders committed by serial killers. By comparing the content of the data, I will identify several key variables that shape the focus of my analysis.
Richard Ramirezwas charged with 13 counts of murder 5 counts of attempted murder 11 counts of sexual assault and 14 counts of burglary. He was sentenced to death. Yet he died in prison due to b-cell lymphoma. He was a practicing satanist he showed no remorse for all his killings. Richard Ramirez became a serial killer because he thought that he was serving Satan. Before killing them he would make them say hail Satan or i love Satan. he was seen smiling as he was being arrested. The smile of a serial killer.
The data source, in essence, is the medium through which we; trace the path of behavior, as seen in the data, to the literature predicting the outcome of all types of childhood abuse, and why serial murder occurs and what is the result or effect on the killer and society itself. Although this study does not put forth any generalization pertaining to the causal factors of serial killers and their particular methods of murder, a study of this type clarifies several issues related to the way these types of killers minds work in society, how the investigation process works and ultimately how these types of killers are caught and brought before the criminal justice system to be given punishment as means to achieve justice for those their behavior has harmed.
