until they act it out for real when they get into the adult stage. As each murder occurs a serial killer may be disappointed by his murder fantasy and may act it out again to achieve it to there own satisfaction. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERIAL KILLER: 1. Killings are separate ('serial'), occurring with greater or less frequency, often escalating over a period of time, sometimes years, and will continue until the killer is taken into custody, dies, or is himself/herself killed. 2. In common with normal homicides, killing tends to be one on one. There are instances however where a serial killer has struck down more than one victim in a single incident. 3. There is no (or very little) previous connection between the perpetrator and the victim; the persons involved rarely being related. 4. Although there may be a 'pattern' or 'victim trait', individual murders within a series rarely display a clearly defined or rational motive. 5. An increasingly greater spatial mobility (since the advent of the automobile) has enabled killers (if they wish) to move rapidly from one place to another, often before a murder has even been discovered. 6. There is usually a high degree of redundant violence, or an 'overkill', where the victim is subjected to a disproportionate level of brutality. MOTIVES: These are the motives a serial killer might display (some Visionaries - Acts in response to voices andkillers display various motives): is instructed by these voices to perform the act of murder. These killers are Missionaries - They think it is theirusually schizophrenic and psychotic. Hedonists - Kill becauseresponsibility to rid society of unwanted elements. Lust Killers - Kill for sexual gratification withmurder causes them pleasure. Thrill Killers - Kill because of a desire foracts that are usually sadistic. Gain Killers - Kill for personal gain. The killera thrill or experience. premeditates the ac...