Who in the right mind would pick up a book like this? Was the first question my wife asked when she saw me reading ‘SERIAL KILLERS- The method and the Madness of Monsters’ by Peter Vronsky. It is a book published in 2004- so it seems outdated. The book claims to be the definitive history of the phenomenon of Serial Murder.
And then, my wife saw me taking notes while reading the book. She jokingly asked if, if I was planning a kill!
Criminals, conman and their psychological makeup- murderers in particular always interested me. This interest remained dormant and partially satiated with newspaper coverage, movies and books that dealt with them – mainly in a sketchy way. In the Indian context, Charles Shobhraj, aka Bikini killer, was an iconic personality along with Raman Raghav, Natwarlal ( the Indian con man), Jaishankar, Mohan Cyanide Kumar, Mohinder Singh Pandher, Gowri Shankar Akka Auto Shankar to name a few.
The biggest mistake in trying to figure out these people are this way is that we try to analyse them through our own standard of behaviour. They don’t think the way you or I think. We’re not sure why- but the point is they don’t. JIM WRIGHT. FBI BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE UNIT.
SERIAL KILLERS
So, to me, the book Serial Killer, which focuses entirely on the US and Canada and covers what the author calls the golden period of serial killers, is an exciting read. It has been an eye-opening account of a serial killer’s psychological, investigative, and cultural aspects.
A few references were already known to me because of my interest in the subject. Names like Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, BTO killer, Andrew Cunanan ( who also killed Gianni Versace) and Green River Killer. However, there was no detailed understanding. Peter Vronsky fills that gap with Serial killer- a very well-researched book. It, in a way, documents and shares possible theories of the birth of a serial killer and the process they may go through, from planning and killing to the next kill. There is enough on the formative years’ impact on serial killers. It discusses social behaviour, the role of media and the feelings a serial killer goes through before, during and after the kill!
LOCATION AND SERIAL KILLER
The concept of location-location-location as the possible key to identifying the serial killer empathises in the book. The triangulation method of identifying potential serial killers through victim discovery location is another thing that one read about the first time in the book. It does seem to be more effective than FBI profiling! It theorises that there is a circle of operation a serial killer works on.
SURVIVING A SERIAL KILLER ATTACK
A section of the book deals with suggestions on how to survive an encounter. Though one must notice that the chances of survival are negligible, all efforts should be made to escape.
THE FUTILITY OF PROFILING
Another section deals with the FBI profiling of the possible murder. The technique used and how unscientific it can be. This section is interesting from a criminal investigation and profiling point of view. Still, it leaves the reader a bit more confused about its actual utility. And every time a new serial killer comes on the ground, they add a new dimension to the profiling software knowledge. At times it works, and at times it could even mislead- if it is taken as a definitive answer rather than a possible directional tool.
THE SERIAL KILLER FORMATIVE YEARS.
Maybe rightly, but I felt too much empathises is placed on the formative childhood of a possible serial killer. Peter Vronsky suggests many theories focussing on Serial killers as an infant, lonely child, relationships with mothers, family stability and history, childhood mental and physical trauma, substance abuse, and the role of fantasy. And then only a tiny fraction of children with all these things become serial killers. So, what could this mean? The theories crumble, and the book acknowledges it with a rider. A person with this kind of childhood has a higher chance of becoming a serial killer. To me, these are even worse odds than flipping a coin.
SERIAL MURDERE’s FIRST KILL.
Chapter Seven and eight in the book hooked me up completely.
Chapter seven deals with the triggers, facilitators, media magazine influence, porn effect etc. It also introduced one to a vast array of paraphilias- the sexual predictions- the unusual lovers. Things like Anthropophagy- eating a victim’s flesh, Colobosis- desire to mutilate a male organ, Mazoperosis- desire to mutilate a female breast- and the list is long.
And Chapter eight deals with the almost step-by-step thought process and behaviour of the serial killer for the very first kill. Starting with the dissociative- Fantasy-aura state, to the trolling- hunting-stalking stage, Moving into the persuasion seduction stage, to trap and capture the victim leading to the murder. And then the totem trophy memory stage, where the murderer keeps some part of the scene or the victim. And finally, the post homicidal depression usually leads to further refinement of the serial killer’s approach and next kill.
ACADEMIC UNDERSTANDING– a Bonus
Apart from the stories and the mindset game, Peter in Serial Killers introduces many different concepts. For example, you realise the wat killers are classified into Power- assertive, Power-reassurance, Anger-retaliatory, and anger-execution killers. What is Munchausen Syndrome? What is the difference between Mass murders, spree serial killers and serial killers? The difference between Psychotics and Psychopaths.
WARNING.
The book is detailed. Though there are not enough pictures or visuals, the writing fills the gap. And it makes pages full of gruesome details that many readers may find revolting. So, pick the book only if you think you can read through these pages – murder after murder, killer after killer. And in the process, you may find that Peter Vronsky’s writing is quite iterative. Sometimes it helps to make a point stronger or re-referencing the madness, but it is usually a breaker.
PETER VRONSKY
PETER VRONSKY is an author, filmmaker, and forensic-investigative historian. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto in the history of espionage in international relations and criminal justice history.
Other books authored by Peter Vronsky include Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters, American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years 1950-2000, Serial Killers True Crime Anthology 2015 (Annual Anthology) and Sons Of Cains.
NET-NET.
If Criminals, their methods, and framework interest you- pick the book; you may like it.
BLOG/039/2022 To connect, send an email or join on Twitter S_kotnala or subscribe to the weekly update, click here.
