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Serial Killer

What is serial killer?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

FBI definition the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s) in separate events[3]
Britannica definition the unlawful homicide of at least two people carried out by the same person (or persons) in separate events occurring at different times[2]
Wikipedia definition three or more people over more than one month in three or more separate events[1]
Psychology Today definition at least three people, over a period of more than a month, with cooling-off time[4]

A serial killer is a person who murders multiple people in separate events over time, with definitions varying on the minimum number of victims, commonly two or more in FBI/NIJ-style definitions and three or more in many popular and academic definitions.

Context

The term 'serial killer' describes a person who murders multiple people in separate events over time. Definitions vary by source and jurisdiction: the FBI and NIJ-style definitions require two or more victims [3], while many popular and academic definitions, such as Wikipedia and Psychology Today, require three or more [1][4]. Britannica also uses a minimum of two victims [2]. Serial killers are distinct from mass murderers, who kill multiple people in a single event [2]. The term is not formally recognized in any legal code, including that of the United States [2]. Historically, cases like the Golden State Killer, Zodiac Killer, and BTK Killer have shaped public understanding of serial murder.

Documented claims

  • Serial killers are distinct from mass murderers, who kill multiple people in a single event. [2]
  • The term 'serial murder' is not formally recognized in any legal code, including that of the United States. [2]

Related

Happy Face KillerEn annan känd seriemördare med ett smeknamn som liknar de som nämns i historiken.Toy Box KillerEtt exempel på en seriemördare med ett smeknamn som är relevant för ämnet.The KillerEn film som handlar om en seriemördare, relevant för ämnet.

Questions and answers

How many victims define a serial killer?

Definitions vary: the FBI and NIJ-style definitions require two or more victims [3], while many popular and academic definitions require three or more [1][4].

Are serial killers the same as mass murderers?

No, serial killers are distinct from mass murderers, who kill multiple people in a single event [2].

Is 'serial murder' a legal term?

No, the term is not formally recognized in any legal code, including that of the United States [2].

Sources

  1. How to Spot a Serial Killer: History of Serial Killers - Research Guideslibguides.tccd.edu › HowtoSpotASerialKiller › History — libguides.tccd.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Serial murder | Definition, Characteristics, Types, & Facts — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Serial Murder — fbi.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Serial Killers — psychologytoday.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in History