Serial Killers & Profilers
I'm currently working on a novel set in England, in which a serial killer is apprehended and confesses to all during interrogation. The story of his murder campaign is told through flashbacks. I'm trying to make the characters particularly the killer as realistic as possible. I'm also trying to avoid large similarities with infamous fictional killers such as Hannibal Lecter and Patrick Bateman.
Phillip Hammel-38 years old at the time of his arrest, though he first killed when he was 24. He confesses to 7 murders although there could be many more. Hammel's MO consists of torture, decapitation and necorphilia. Phil is a organised offender which means he meticulously plans his crimes before committing them. Hammel is also a power orientated killer, meaning he takes pleasure in the domination and manipulation of his victims. He had a overbearing mother who made him live in the attic in his teens, his father died when he was young and he discovered the dead body of his grandfather when he was 16. When he was a child he often tortured and killed animals, occasionally he used fire in these killings.
Dr William "Liam" Rymdzionek-Liam Rymdzionek is a brilliant forensic psychologist and a very flawed character. He's a recovering/recurring abuser of drugs and alcohol, he's frequently unfaithful to his wife and has battled with depression for a number of years. He's been working as a lecturer at the University of Liverpool for several years, because on his last case he suffered a near emotional breakdown. Rymdzionek jumped at the chance to consult on this case and started working on it immediately.
I've searched all over the net in search of in-depth analysises of serial killers made by profilers, and detailed information about the fantasies they have.
Any information on real life serial killer fantasies are welcome, as well as any suggestions on how I could improve the character's backstories. I'm thinking that Hammel should have an active social life but an inactive love life, though I'm not sure because killer's like Dennis Rader had a wife and children. I'm also not sure what occupation Hammel should have, I've been thinking maybe a teacher, but I'm still not sure.
Thanks, in advance for all advice and suggestions you may offer.
Hope this helps. I've been watching a show called "Dexter" on tv about a serial murderer who is a blood-splatter expert for law enforcement.
The show is based on the book "Darkly Dreaming Dexter". I have not read the book yet but the show delves into how he became a serial killer and that was because his mother was murdered in front of him with a chainsaw inside a shipping container and he was locked inside that shipping container for a few days while blood pooled all around him.
The book may offer more insight into his mind and may help.
Also, I'm not sure if you're incorporating forensics in your work but if you are, "Death's Acre: Inside the Body Farm" would be an interesting and informative read.
The TV show "Most Evil" could help you. Dr. Stone makes some research on different types of killers and tries to discover what makes them what they are. He pays particular attention to the killers' childhood and social life, trying to understand what drives them to commir murder. The are some episodes about psychopathic killers, such as Ted Bundy and John Gacy Jr.
I'd say, if you were definining your SK, you'd give him sadomasochistic tendancies.
He sounds nonsocial.
Underaverage IQ.
Probably doesn't plan his crimes.
Kills at the scene and leaves.
Returns to relive the act, not watch police stumble over it. Definitely gets caught.
Not really any help. I know you want to make him induvidual, but everyone copies off someone. I'm doing this same subject as my Studio Art topic. Hope you're having as much fun as I am.
Writing fiction about serial killers is so 80s. Thomas Harris gave the genre a huge boost with Red Dragon and The silence of the lambs, the killed it with Hannibal and the other one.
Anyway, if you have something new to say, please don't take your inspiration from TV shows or movies, they are the worst sources one can possibly consider.
I used to read alot of True Crime and the scariest thing I found about most serial killers was how normal in society they seemed. Check out books on Dennis Nilsen (UK) and Jeffrey Dhamer as a start and whatever you do DONT go near any James Patterson books unless yo use them s beermats.
If you need specific books let me know and I will go through my old books.
i dont know if you are still searching for information but i remember this serial killer question which was made by american psychologists while they researched the brains of serial killers.
"This story is about a girl.
On the funeral of her mother she notices her dreamboy but she doesnt even know his name.
Two days later she kills her sister.
Why?"
about 90% of all serial killers answered that she did it because she wanted to see her dreamboy again on the funeral of her sister.
i think its an interesting fact ^^
I agree, John Douglas is the way to go. If you can get past his huge ego he has seen it all. I have read 3 of his books and all are entertaining.
i dont know if you are still searching for information but i remember this serial killer question which was made by american psychologists while they researched the brains of serial killers.
"This story is about a girl.
On the funeral of her mother she notices her dreamboy but she doesnt even know his name.
Two days later she kills her sister.
Why?"
about 90% of all serial killers answered that she did it because she wanted to see her dreamboy again on the funeral of her sister.
i think its an interesting fact ^^
then you are a psycho or a smart man 
this isnt the original exercise ...i think i forgot some facts because some years passed since i read it the last time
One of the authors that I would recommend is John Douglas. He is an ex-profiler. He's written some really good books and is able to delve into the serial killer mind pretty well.