What characterizes a serial murderer?

A serial murderer is characterized primarily by the act of committing multiple murders over time. This distinction is crucial in understanding the behavior and patterns associated with serial killing. The definition of a serial murder typically involves the killing of three or more individuals, with a cooling-off period between the murders, which highlights the repetitive nature of their actions.

Killing more than once separates serial murderers from other types of murderers, such as spree or mass murderers, who may kill multiple individuals in a single event without a significant pause. This understanding of repeated offenses is vital in criminal profiling and in the development of strategies for apprehending such offenders.

While factors like operating alone or having a specific victim type can apply to many serial murderers, they are not defining characteristics necessary for someone to be classified as a serial murderer. Therefore, the essence of this definition lies in the act of committing multiple murders, making it the most accurate characterization of serial murderers.