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Serial Killer Statistics

The tables in this report are based on information from the Radford University Serial Killer Database. The purpose of the database is to gather data so that researchers and teachers will have accurate information about serial killers. In 2012, Radford University partnered with Florida Gulf Coast University to ensure that the database is continually updated and that summary reports will be made available on an annual basis. When citing information from this report, the following reference should be used: Aamodt, M. G. (2012, September 9). Serial killer statistics. Retrieved (insert date of retrieval) from http://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/serial killer information center/project description.htm Questions abut the database or the statistics in this report can be addressed to Dr. Mike Aamodt at Radford University, maamodt@radford.edu

Serial Killer Frequency by Decade (Decade of First Kill)

Decade 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

US 24 35 29 28 27 39 132 364 475 371 194 16

International 11 15 26 19 37 32 56 110 154 213 139 12

Total 35 50 55 47 64 71 189 474 630 585 333 28

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/9/2012

Frequency of Serial Killers Gender by Decade

N 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 TOTAL Men 20 35 43 38 56 58 173 444 573 541 312 25 2466 Women 15 15 12 9 8 13 16 29 57 43 21 3 281 Percent Men Women 57.1 42.9 70.0 30.0 78.2 21.8 80.9 19.1 87.5 12.5 81.7 18.3 91.5 8.5 93.9 6.1 91.0 9.0 92.6 7.4 93.7 6.3 89.3 10.7 89.8 10.2

Note: Numbers reflect U.S. and International serial killers Note: Total includes decades not listed on this chart

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/9/2012

U.S. Serial Killers Percentage by Race and Decade

Race Hispanic 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 0.0 0.0 3.3 6.6 4.6 1.5 12.5 3.8

Decade 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 TOTAL

White 62.5 45.7 72.4 53.6 63.0 79.5 68.7 62.0 54.3 41.8 28.4 12.5 52.0

Black 37.5 54.3 27.6 46.4 29.6 20.5 29.8 33.6 37.0 52.3 68.6 75.0 42.8

Asian 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 1.3 1.0 0.0 0.7

Native American 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 0.0 1.5 0.6 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.8

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/9/2012

A Problem With The Typical Profile

Characteristic Male White Mid-to-late twenties White, male White, male, mid-to-late twenties

Percent 91.41% 52.53% 28.55% 45.50% 12.80%

Note: Only U.S. serial killers included in this chart

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/8/2012

Broad Motives

Motive Enjoyment (thrill, lust, power) Financial Gain Anger Multiple Motives Gang Activity Avoid Arrest Attention Convenience Hallucinations Cult TOTAL

N 995 617 192 73 48 22 15 10 7 5 1979

Percentage 50.28% 31.18% 9.70% 3.69% 2.43% 1.11% 0.76% 0.51% 0.35% 0.25%

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/8/2012

Serial Killer IQ
Basic Statistics N Average IQ Median IQ Lowest Highest Killing Method Bomb Strangle Stab Gun Bludgeon Poison Raped Victims No Yes Type Organized Disorganized Mixed Number of Kills Two Three Four Five More than five

202 95.1 89.0 54 165 N 3 49 24 45 9 2 Average 140.3 97.9 96.0 93.0 86.3 78.5

100 101

96.3 94.2

107 63 8

99.6 93.2 108.4

41 43 18 16 84

92.8 91.3 91.8 95.3 98.8

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/8/2012

Serial Killers and Birth Order

Serial Killers N First Born Middle Born Youngest Only Child TOTAL 139 139 113 50 441 % 31.52 31.52 25.62 11.34 U.S. Presidents 33.30 50.00 14.30 2.40 U.S. Population 28.36 15.90 28.36 27.39 2000 Census

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/8/2012 Note: Census data were computed by using family size to determine the number of first born, middle born, last born, and only children. For example, a family with two children would have one oldest born and one youngest born whereas a family with three children would have an oldest, a youngest, and one middle born. This method may slightly underestimate the percentage of middle-born children.

Serial Killers by Country

Country United States Italy S. Africa England Japan Germany Canada Australia France Russia India China Mexico Brazil Scotland Poland

Number of Serial Killers 1782 101 98 95 82 72 59 48 47 37 31 28 20 14 13 10

Source: Radford University Serial Killer Database Updated 9/8/2012