SERIAL MURDER VS. MASS MURDER

SERIAL MURDER VS. MASS MURDER

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 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO

     The main difference between a serial killer and a mass

murderer is the number of victims killed in each incident. Serial

killers typically kill one or more people in separate incidents,

with a "cooling off" period between murders. While, by contrast,

mass murderers kill multiple victims at once without a "cooling

off" period.

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SERIAL MURDER

      Serial murder has been an issue of significant debate

regarding definitions. During the past 40 years, there have been

varying and changing definitions. While serial murder and mass

murder share common elements, they do differ in on specific

requirements; such as the number of murders committed, as

well as the motivations of the perpetrator.

       Normally, definitions of serial murder specify a certain

number of murders required; varying from 2-10. The classic

definition of serial murder required a period of time elapsing

between the murders. The pause, the "cooling off period,"

between murders, distinguishes it from mass murder. Mass

murder is a one time event, where, for serial killers, they

have several events.

       The term "serial killing" means a series of three or more,

not less than one, which has been committed, that has similar

characteristics such as to suggest the crimes are related.

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MASS MURDER

     Mass murder is the act of murdering people, typically,

simultaneously, or over a short period of time (hours/days). 

Mass murder can be both committed by an individual or a group

of individuals.

     Examples of mass murder by individuals, this type/variety

may fall into a couple of categories. Including, but not limited to,

killing of co-workers, killing of family members, killing of students,

and killing of random strangers.

     The FBI defines mass murder of this type of killing four or more

persons WITHOUT a "cooling off period" in between murders. The

FBI classifies mass murder as a single incident in which the

perpetrator kills four or more people; with the exclusion of self.

In mass murder, the victims may be randomly, or specifically,

targeted for reasons know only to the perpetrator.

     Motives for mass murder vary greatly. A common motivation

for mass murder is retaliation or revenge. Other motives noted

are those of attention and fame. Unlike serial killers, mass

murderers are often killed at the crime scene. Sometimes, the

perpetrator is shot by Law Enforcement; often referred to as

suicide by cop.

   From a social and psychological perspective, mass murder is

frequently an act of vengeance against society, committed by

a desperate, and fatalistic individual who has no intention of

"going quietly"; nor in returning to kill a different or another

day.