serial killers
Multiple-victim predatory criminals
Serial killers is the plural of serial killer—a person who murders multiple victims over time, typically with intervals between killings.
The term distinguishes from mass murderers, who kill many at once, and implies a pattern: similar victim types, methods, or motives.
Police suspected a serial killer when bodies with matching wounds appeared across three counties.
The phrase entered common usage in the 1970s and 80s as FBI profilers studied repeat offenders.
- murdererOne who unlawfully kills
- killing spreeSequential multiple homicides
- true crimeGenre covering actual offenses
- victimologyStudy of those harmed
- criminal profilingInferring suspect characteristics behaviorally
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