Female vs. Male Serial Killers

Recently, a peer suggested that one of my blogs should be written on the differences of female and male serial killers. I felt it was necessary to do so, and I'm apologetic for not doing it before. I believe it's very important to understand characteristics and motives of serial killers. Most certainly, before going in depth in cases like I have in my past posts. That being said, I'm dedicating this whole post to spread awareness of not only the differences of male and female serial killers, but also the similarities. 

Execution of Murders

The first huge difference between male and female serial killers is the way they execute their murders. Almost all female serial killers tend to be very sly and attentive when planning and executing a murder (Geringer, 2). Often they lean towards a more untraceable and non-aggressive way of killing their victim (Geringer, 2). "The Electronic Journal of Sociology, published by the University of Guelph, Ontario, estimates that 80 percent of female serialists have employed poison by itself or with other means" (Geringer, 2). While on the other hand male serial killers tend to be more physical and face to face. It is more common for a male serial killer to shoot, stab, or strangle their victims (Geringer, 2). The way male serial murders carry out their murders are almost always a cruel, violent, and bloodbath of an act (Geringer, 2). 

Demeanor  

Overall female serial killers are much more subtle, unlike male serial killers who are very aggressive and tend to be over the top. As a result, male serial killers killing careers usually only range from a few months to the longest four years (Geringer, 2). Recorded lengths of female serial killing careers range from six to eight years. In some cases females have gone undetected for three decades (Geringer, 2). As rare as female serial killers can be compared to males, perhaps females could give the males pointers on how to go undetected for a longer period?

Victims

Another big difference between female and male serial killers is their victims. Females largely tend to kill victims that they know and are close to (Geringer, 2). This could range from family members to someone they provide care for, like a nurse or caregiver. Males for the most part don't have a relationship with their victims(Geringer, 2). They will pick out a stranger and stalk them until they are ready to carry out their crime (Geringer, 2). This being said, you'd think it would be harder to detect males since the victims are random, but the extent of their crimes give them away easily. 

Motives 

In addition to their victims, motives are also very different. There are many different types of female serial killers. The most notorious type being the Black Widows (Geringer, 2). The term black widow comes from a toxic spider that kills it's mate when there usefulness is over. These female serial killers portray a perfect housewife to cover their true colors (Geringer, 2). Seventy- five percent of female serial killers kill for only a profit, or any asset gained from a "sudden" death (Geringer, 2).The only way they would obtain this profit or asset is by killing a family member like husbands, parents, and even their own children. Thirteen percent will kill for control and following very close behind twelve percent will kill for revenge (Geringer, 2). Male serial killers motives on the other hand can be very fuzzy for a bunch of reasons. Although when men kill repetitively half the time the motive is sexually driven. Which explains why most of the time victims of male serial killers will not have clothes on. 

Similarities 

Although male and female serial killers seem very different there are three major similarities. The first one is their ability to portray themselves as normal looking citizens. Most of society is under the assumption that all serial killers look like Hannibal Lecter (Geringer, 2). 
 In reality most serial killers could be your neighbor, friend, and even your own family. The second is that they may be psychopaths, but psychopaths aren't insane. The Third is that as psychopaths they lack a conscience.(Geringer, 2). Co-author of The A-Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, Harold Schecter said "Serial killers are psychopathic personalities...lacking in certain basic human emotions, including remorse. Other human beings are just objects they use for their own gratification"(Geringer, 2).

 I believe that people need to start opening their eyes and realizing that at this day and age anyone could be a serial killer. Society needs to stop labeling a serial killer as only a male figure, and accept the fact that women also can and have been serial killers. As of now male and female serial killers are quite different, but over time i think they will become more similar. Male serial killers will become more sly and undetectable like women serial killers, and women will become more violent and random like male serial killers. For example, Aileen Wuornos killed all her victims face to face every time with a gun. This type of serial killing fits that of a male serial killer. Perhaps that's why she may have gotten away with murder for a longer period of time?  

Works Cited: 

Geringer, Joseph. "Black Widow: Veiled in Their Own Web of Darkness." .N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.