Introduction
Introduction: What is a serial killer? A serial killer is typically defined as a person who murders three or more people in a period of over a month, with a “cooling down” time between murders. In order for one to be considered a serial killer, the murders must be separate events, which are most often driven by a psychological thrill or pleasure. Serial killers often lack empathy and guilt, and most often become egocentric individuals. These characteristics classify certain serial killers as psychopaths. Serial killers often employ a “mask of sanity” to hide their true psychopathic tendencies and appear normal, even charming. One of the oldest questions in criminology is: Are criminals are born or made? Are serial killers a product of nature (genetics) or nurture (environmental factors)?
Many serial killers are survivors of early childhood trauma of some kind – physical or sexual abuse, family dysfunction, emotionally distant or absent parents. Trauma is the single recurring theme in the biographies of most killers. As a consequence of this trauma, they suppress their emotional response. They never learn the appropriate responses to trauma, and never develop other emotions, which is why they find it difficult to empathize with others.
Task
Task: For your final forensics assignment, you will select a serial killer and you will create a PowerPoint slide show to create a report about this individual. You will use the information that you uncovered to determine whether your selected serial killer was a product of nature or nurture (or both).
You will have class time to complete this over the next several class sessions. The final project will be due on Monday, June 12.
50+ of America's Most Famous Serial Killers (ranker.com)
Click on the site above to help you get started. The link above highlights 50 of America’s most infamous serial killers. Each individual has a quick 3 to 4 sentence description of the individual and their crimes. You can use this site to select your subject.
The 15 Most Famous Serial Killers & Murderers of All Time (serialkillershop.com)
Above is another site that can help you get started. This one only highlights 15 serial killers, which might be less intimidating than the first one.
Process
Directions
1- Click on the Teacher Page and select a serial killer that you will be researching.
2- Research the serial killer and take notes.
3- Create the PowerPoint slide show template with 11 slides. There is a specific topic for each slide. Please create your slides consistent with the table below.
4- Collect your information and keep your works cited page updated so that you can return to interesting sites.
5- Create your presentation (don’t forget to proofread).
6- Submit and present your project to the class.
Items that must be addressed in the assigned slide sequence.
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Slide 1 |
Introduction: This slide should include: the name of serial killer, the nickname the media gave this person (if they had a media nickname), the killer’s birth and death dates (if deceased), and a picture. |
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Slide 2 |
Childhood: What was this person’s childhood like? Where did this person grow up? What activities did they enjoy? What was this person’s family life like? Who did they live with? Did this person’s childhood reflect any issues? |
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Slide 3 |
Adulthood: What was their adult life like? Did this person finish high school? College? Did they get married? Did they have children? |
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Slide 4 |
Occupation: Was this person able to hold a job? What kinds of job(s) did this person have? |
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Slide 5 |
Mental Health: Did this person ever get diagnosed with a mental health disorder? If so, did this person get treatment for this disorder? |
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Slide 6 |
The Crimes (Part A): What was the nature of this serial killer’s crimes? What type of victims did this person target? |
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Slide 7 |
The Crimes (Part B): How many victims? What was the timespan of their crimes? How much time occurred between murders? |
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Slide 8 |
Getting Caught: What was this person’s behavior like when they got caught? Was this person able to withstand trial? |
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Slide 9 |
Legal Consequences: What was this person charged with (in a court of law)? What was the sentence? |
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Slide 10 |
Current Status: Is this person still alive? Did this person receive the death penalty? If this person is still alive, where are they now? If this person died, how did they die? |
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Slide 11 |
Cite your work. |
Evaluation
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EVALUATION METHODS |
3 POINTS |
2 POINTS |
1 POINT |
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Slides |
Created exactly 11 slides (including a slide devoted to works cited) |
Created too many (11+) or too few (7-10) slides |
Created under 6 slides |
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Mechanics (grammar and punctuation) |
Correct grammar and punctuation |
A few errors in grammar and punctuation (under 5 total) |
Too many errors in grammar and punctuation (5+) |
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Creativity |
Added photos, colors, animation, and other design |
Followed directions with some creativity |
No effort |
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Punctuality |
Completed task on time |
Over three days late |
A week or more late |
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Following Directions |
Followed task directions completely |
Followed some task rules |
Did not follow any directions given for this assignment |
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Including Comprehensive List of Sources |
Created a list of at least 3 Internet sources by pasting URLs on slide 11 |
Included 1 or 2 sources by adding URL to slide 11 |
Did not properly include sources |
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Accuracy |
Used Internet sources to compile information as accurately as possible |
Included mostly accurate information |
Did not include accurate information |
Conclusion
Conclusion: After the completion of this project, you will likely have more questions than answers about the individual that you selected as the actions of a serial killer are very difficult for most people to justify. Your last task associated with this project is to write a conclusion paragraph of at least 8 sentences as to whether your target serial killer was motivated to kill by nature or by nurture. To clarify the nature vs nurture debate, read the article in the link below. The conclusion will be graded separately from the PowerPoint slide show project.
Nature vs. Nurture: Genetic and Environmental Influences (verywellmind.com)
Teacher Page
Goals for Serial Killer Research Project:
Students will perform a personal investigation into the criminal profile and the series of incidents perpetrated by a serial killer.
Students will use information from research to develop a grammatically and mechanically correct series of slides that reveal pertinent information about the selected serial killer.
Students will use forensics vocabulary words to communicate aspects of the target perpetrator’s criminal profile.
Additional Resources to Use to Boost Your Grade:
The four types of serial killers: Visionary, Mission, Hedonistic & Power. (thisinterestsme.com)
Forensic behavior specialists have developed 4 categories of serial killers. Explore the site above to determine the category of serial killer in which your target individual falls.
12 Common Traits of Serial Killers (insider.com)
Through years of profiling serial killers, experts have identified key personality traits that many of them have in common. Some of these personality traits are surprising. Look at the article above and compare the information to your target serial killer. Which of these surprising traits did your subject possess?
Types Of Serial Killers - Crime Museum
This webpage describes the difference between organized and disorganized killers. Is your target serial killer organized or disorganized. Read the descriptions and find out!