The systematic killing of a succession of victims, often over a period of many years, is not a modern phenomenon, but it has increased alarmingly over the past 50 years, particularly in the United States. These psychopathic individuals derive pleasure-most frequently sexual-by abducting and murdering innocent victims. The publicity these cases often stir up has law enforcement concerned that a growing number of incidents are "copy cat" crimes. This book covers fascinating and gruesome cases such as, Jack the Ripper, Peter Kurten, and George Joseph Smith. It investigates the root causes that led to the development of the killers' psychopathic personalities and describes the gathering of evidence that eventually led to their identification and arrest.
