Although this number is not an overwhelming majority, neither is it a number that can be ignored. Those 62 women collectively killed between 400 and 600 victims including men, women and children (Peter, 2007). At any one time it is estimated that there are between 50-75 serial killers operating in United States. Approximately 7-8 out of these are females, definitely not a number that can be ignored (Deborah, 2000). How are they different from male serial killers? “Women tend to be more careful, precise and methodical than males” (H. Thomas, 2004).
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Male serial killers tend to use overt murder methods such as bludgeoning, stabbing, and strangling. But serial killers who are females typically use covert methods such as suffocation or poisoning in order to kill their victim. As a result women do not leave physical marks or evidence when they murder unlike their male counterparts. Hence, they can commit their crimes for longer periods of time without being detected. The average male serial murderer kills on average for 4. 2 years before being caught, but the female averages 8. 4 years before apprehension.
The use of covert method to murder by women can be partly explained by how they are raised in their families where there are “clear, traditionally defined sex roles within the family unit”. They attract towards female dominated professions. What this means is that gender role indeed has an effect on the nature of violence by women and men (Deborah, 2000). Men track or stalk their victims, but women are more likely to lure victims to their death. Females abuse both alcohol and drugs; males are not likely to be substance abusers (Larry, 2011).
A survey of known serial killers worldwide reveals that 41% of homicidal women kill for profit or greed, versus 14% of male serial killers (Micheal & John, 2008). Criminologists have found that beyond using covert methods to kill their victims in a “feminine” way, female serial killers are geographically stable. That means the women do not move from one place to another when they kill, unlike many male serial killers. Female predators remain in one locality and cloak their crimes by choosing very sick or helpless victims (Deborah, 2000).
Who are the victims? Many female serial killers kill at home and their victims have often been family members or intimates: husbands, lovers and children. Other female serial killers murder at work in their professional capacity as trusted caregivers- nurses, babysitters, food preparers and trusted social services contractors (Peter, 2007). There is a benefit of choosing such a profession that places them in situations where they are in contact with helpless individuals.
Due to their vulnerability it becomes easier to poison the victim as the sick or infirm cannot resist. Plus, when a sick victim dies and there are no overt signs of struggle, it is easy for police to mistake the crime for a natural death. Over 50% are either very young or very old (Deborah, 2000). What is the purpose behind the murders? Women kill largely for instrumental reasons such as monetary gain rather than affective reasons such as achieving motional satisfaction. Absent is the presence of sexual fantasy as a motivating factor (Richard N.
Kocsis, 2007). A survey of known serial killers worldwide reveals that 41% of homicidal women kill for profit or greed. Female serial killers who victimize their own children and other relatives sometimes have a much stranger motive than profit. According to psychiatrists, some of them become addicted to the sympathetic attention they receive after the death of their loved ones (Micheal & John, 2008). Black widows The nickname of such killers, of course, comes from the black widow spider, which kills its partner after mating.
Human black widows are essentially the same. They usually start killing after the age of twenty-five, and for a decade or longer they systematically murder spouses, partners, family members, and indeed, anyone with whom they develop a personal relationship. They usually claim six to eight victims over ten to fifteen years. Poison is the preferred MO. (Micheal & Tom, 2009) Angel of death Serial killers usually start their career around 21 and operate in a localized setting, typically a nursing home, hospital, or other place where death is expected.
