SERIAL KILLER: ELDERLY VICTIMS OF SERIAL KILLERS

Abstract

The phenomenon of serial killing although a rare farm of homicide, has attracted on increased degree interest in the last decades. Elderly are also victims of serial killers. Although persons aged 60 and older generally experience the lowest rate of killing of any age group. The aim of this study is to illustrate the little known but noteworthy cases concerning the serial killings of elderly that occurred across the world. The Internet (e-media) was the main source of the data and the content has been analyzed. Forty cases of serial killers of elderly were found in INTERNET up to the year 2012. The study shows that nearly half (40%) of the serial killings were occurred in United States of America, only 2.5% elderly victims of serial killings were found in India. Study has shown that female serial killers use less violent methods to kill their victims and the preferred methods are poisoning Serial killings was largely based on psychological gratification. The hedonistic serial killers seek pleasure and benefits from killing and derives satisfaction from the killing events. The main motives identified in killings were revenge, profit, terror.