Introduction Even though serial killers have been around forever the name “serial killer” has only been around since 1970. Before this, serial killers were known as “stranger killers”. The name “serial killer” came from the word “series”, since this is the way that a serial killer kills, in series’ (Huppert, 2003) Serial killers have only been acknowledged for about 125 years. The acknowledgment came with Jack the Ripper. Serial killers tend to be white, heterosexual, males. They tend to be between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. Serial killers are dysfunctional and usually have very low self-esteem (Huppert, 2003). They will also usually keep some sort of trophy from their victims. Serial killer characteristics A serial killer is identified through seven characteristics. First; killings are separate. There are usually cooling-off periods between murders. Killings last for months or years and will often last until the killer is caught or until the killer dies. Usually, at least five victims will be killed by a serial killer. Second; killings will be performed one on one. Killings will occasionally be two on one. Third; victims are rarely known by the killer. Likewise, killers are rarely known by their victims. They hardly ever have any previous relationships with their victims. Fourth; although there is usually a pattern, motives are not clear, visible, or rational. Fifth; killers will often commit new murders before the previous victim has even been found. This characteristic has been around only since the invention of convenient travel mechanisms. Sixth; serial killers will often over-kill their victims. Even after the victim is dead, they will perform sexual acts, or continue to beat or torture their victim’s body. Seventh; the weapons of choice for serial killers will be a rope or knife. Serial killers will usually have very high IQ scores. They are usually average-looking white males. The killers will usually have a clean background and nice family history. They will be living in urban areas with well-paying jobs. The terrible triad is three characteristics of children that almost every serial killer will have when they are young. 60% of all children will wet the bed after the age of 12 years old. They will almost always be fascinated with fire. Serial killers will also enjoy killing small animals as children (Jack, 1985). Ted Bundy Serial killing is the most malicious crime a human being can commit in our society. Many people believe you are born a serial killer but that is simply not true. No one is born a serial killer; their surroundings and social groups create the murderer. Many people wonder how such an intelligent and, highly accomplished man such as Bundy would be able to kill so many women. Ted Bundy was one of the most famous serial killers of the 20th century. When looking at Ted Bundy’s case it was his lack of guidance from parents, rejection from social groups and, constant rejection from women, which led him to become a serial killer. These factors all added to make Ted Bundy vengeful, bitter, and mentally unstable. Although Ted Bundy was a good-looking, intelligent, and respected man, horrible secrets were hidden from outwards appearances. Ted Bundy’s full name is Theodore Robert Bundy and he was born on November 24th in 1946. His place of birth was Burlington, Vermont. When he was born his mot