The team looks to determine trends among killers to identify high-risk factors to prevent their behavior. In addition to gathering the names, crimes and prison sentences of these individuals, the database is a source that statistically analyzes relationships among variables.
He chose to partner with FGCU to maintain and expand the scope of research.Īs of March 2021, the database consists of over 5,630 serial killers. Michael Aamodt of Radford University is the founder of this project and has collected data since 1992 to create the world’s most comprehensive serial killer database. The creation of this database allows the team to quantitatively evaluate psychological issues with serial killers.ĭr. Leary suggested these shows might have influenced people’s sudden interest in the topic. Netflix documentaries about spree killers and mass murderers have gained worldwide recognition lately. “They want to hear about it, and they have a high appetite for it.”
“People have a fascination for the topic,” Dr. The project is managed by eight psychology students and supported by the university’s mathematics and forensic studies departments.
Terence Leary is currently spearheading the serial killer database on campus.
Distinguishing mass murder, spree murder, and serial murder.Some of the points raised in the webinar are: Aamodt is also the creator of the Radford/FGCU Serial Killer Database, the largest private database on serial murder in existence, and he is joining Justice Clearinghouse to dissect statistics surrounding serial murder cases for in the US and around the world over the last century.
He served 26 years as a professor and has published numerous books, research articles in professional journals, and has been the resource speaker for various conferences.ĭr. Aamodt Ph.D., he is the Principal Consultant for DCI Consulting Group and a Professor from the Radford University Department of Psychology. For researchers, each serial killer case must be understood as a separate incident with its intricacies and as a statistic that together with existing historical data paints a bigger picture of the trends. For law enforcement, serial murder is yet another type of crime that must be apprehended. Names such as Jack the Ripper or the Zodiac Killer come to mind.
For most of the population, serial killer stories are the stuff of urban legends or pop culture.