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Criminal Minds: Serial Killers

The term ‘serial killings’ means a series of three or more killings, not less than one of which was committed within the United States, having common characteristics such as suggesting the reasonable possibility that the same actor or actors committed the crimes.   This week, you learned about criminological theories. Identify two serial killers cases you have an interest in and follow the instructions below:

You may write about an open, old, or closed serial killer case.    The paper or report MUST be in APA format and contain the following information:

1. A Short Summary about the person
2. You must mention the psychological type of person. Psychological theories describe the person, and this usually comes from the person’s childhood life.
3. Describe the Motive behind the killing.
4. Who were the victims?
5. Remember the definition of a serial killer.
6. Look for a theory that explains why the person may have committed the crime.
7. Explain the Modus Operandi (MO) of the case in detail.

You must have a written paper or report of 2-4 pages in APA format. You must also create a presentation from your paper or report, such as PowerPoint. The presentation may include pictures, media clips, voice narration, etc.

Please review the Criminal Mind Rubric to see how you will be assessed.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Student Guide

Step 1: Choose Two Serial Killers

• Pick two cases that genuinely interest you (famous examples: Ted Bundy, Aileen Wuornos, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy).

• Make sure there’s enough research material available for each.

Step 2: Research Each Case

• Gather reliable sources (academic journals, biographies, documentaries, law enforcement records, scholarly articles).

• Take notes under each required heading (summary, childhood, motives, victims, theories, MO).

Step 3: Write the Paper (APA Format, 2–4 Pages)
Structure:

1. Title Page – APA formatted.

2. Introduction – Briefly introduce the concept of serial killings and name your two chosen cases.

3. Case Study #1

   • Short Summary: Who they were, background.

   • Psychological Type: Link childhood/early environment to psychological traits.

   • Motive: Why did they kill (power, revenge, psychological compulsion)?

   • Victims: Describe demographics (age, gender, lifestyle).

   • Theory: Apply criminological/psychological theory (e.g., Social Learning Theory, Strain Theory, Psychodynamic Theory).

   • Modus Operandi (MO): Explain patterns—how they selected, approached, and killed victims.

4. Case Study #2 – Repeat the same structure.

5. Comparison (Optional but Strong) – Briefly compare similarities/differences between the two.

6. Conclusion – Reflect on what these cases teach us about criminology and society.

7. References Page – Properly formatted APA citations.

Step 4: Create Your Presentation

• Open PowerPoint (or similar).

• Include 1–2 slides per section of your paper.

• Add:

  • Photos (of killer, victims, or crime scene sketches).

  • Media clips (short news reports or interviews).

  • Voice narration (optional, but engaging).

• Keep slides simple: bullet points, short text, clear visuals.

Step 5: Review the Rubric Before Submitting

• Double-check that your paper is between 2–4 pages (not counting title/references).

• Confirm APA formatting: Times New Roman 12 pt., double spaced, correct in-text citations.

• Proofread carefully.

Helpful Resources for Research & Formatting

• FBI – Serial Murder: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

• APA Style Guide (Purdue OWL)

• Crime Museum – Famous Serial Killers

• Biography.com – Serial Killers

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