The first step in stopping a serial killer is recognizing that one is at work in a given area. But this recognition is often slow in coming because the killers operate across broad geographical areas and many law enforcement jurisdictions. Multiple homicides frequently occur in a manner that doesn't clearly indicate they are part of a pattern. There is often confusion about whether a group of similar killings actually are the work of a single person.
Bodies frequently remain undiscovered or unidentified.
There are overlapping killings, copycat killings, suspects who confess, then recant. Not Shared The investigation of serial killers, both as a group and as individuals, has always been complicated. Their victims are often random, or selected to make the crime easier to get away with. Sometimes critical information does not reach investigators and the public. The APB Serial Killer Atlas is the first news media attempt to create a comprehensive national resource on this topic.