In examining reasons for serial killing and what drives people to ignore personal conscience and social respectability, the book explores the lives of notable serial killers. The discussion covers the definition of serial murder, the frequency of serial murder in the United States, public concern over violent crimes, characteristics and types of serial murderers, theories of serial murder, and the criminal justice system response. The author shows that almost all serial killers in modern times have been white and that very few use firearms to kill their victims. Serial murder does not exhibit a regional pattern, although motives have changed over the years. Because there are many types of serial murderers, the author concludes that it is difficult to construct a solid profile of serial killers. References