A serial killer is a person who murders three or more people over a period of more than 30 days, with a "cooling off" period between each murder, and whose motivation for murder is based largely on psychological gratification. Most people don't understand what makes a person want to kill multiple people for no reason other than their own personal gain. In reality, serial killers have been studied for hundreds of years and the documented information continues to grow. The research I've collected on serial killers focuses on their childhood development, the differences and similarities between male and female serial killers, and finally general information about how their brains work and motivations. which push them to commit such harmful acts. the years on how a person becomes a serial killer and how an unstable childhood affects a person. It has been proven by psychologists and stated by serial killers that their childhood is one of the many problems they faced that led them to become serial killers. A typical young boy's childhood would consist of loving parents, a stable home, and friends. As for serial killers, that's not typical at all. During a serial killer's childhood, it is not uncommon for them to be abused, raped, or even attempted suicide, along with many other harmful acts that a child should not have to face. Many studies have been done on the childhoods of serial killers and how they grew up compared to other young children. Some of the traits that most male serial killers have as children include killing animals, autoerotic activities, physical head injuries, and even bedwetting. The reason why killing animals is very common...... middle of paper ...., convicted of nine murders, at one point said: "After I die, they will open my head and discover that, just like we said, part of my brain is black and dry. and dead.” Although through research we have discovered the characteristics and reasons why serial killers enjoy killing, there is still much to learn about them. As the years go by, research into serial killers will also advance and, hopefully, we as a society will. understand them fully and one day be able to heal whatever inside of them that makes them want to kill. Work of Serial KillersAccording to the article “10 Most Common Traits of Potential Serial Killers by Hestie Barnard GerberAccording to Comrade Chikatilo: The Psychopathology of Russia's Notorious Serial Killer