Behavioral Research – Zodiac Killer - Justice And Security

Justice and Security Just another WordPress.com weblog Scientific Method Applied to Forensic Science »

Behavioral Research – Zodiac Killer

One of the most baffling and perplexing historical serial murderers of all time is the notorious Zodiac Killer. Zodiac was a murderer that terrorized California for several years outwitting law enforcement thereby amusing himself in a game of Cat and Mouse. Today, the identity of the Zodiac Killer still evades society, but this fiend is believed to have expired, therefore avoiding captivity and punishment. Law enforcement had several high profile suspects in connection with the Zodiac killings namely; Rick Marshall, Lawrence Kane, Michael O’Hare, Ted Kaczynski, Bruce Davis, and Andy Walker. Nevertheless, the principal suspect in the murders is Arthur Leigh Allen and the correlation on numerous occasions with Zodiac events and characteristics cannot be ignored. Arthur Leigh Allen was a teacher and a trampoline coach in public schools in the State of California from the 1950s through the 1960s. The relationship between The Zodiac Killer and Arthur Leigh Allen originate on October 30, 1966 when Cheri Jo Bates was murdered at Riverside City College. Allen was employed as an elementary-school teacher at the time of the murder, a sick day of November 1 drew a parallel to the timeframe of the Bates murder. According to The Arthur Leigh Allen File (2007), Modern FBI profiles on serial killers usually say that during periods of activity, the killer will behave erratically, exhibit moodiness, drink, or smoke more than usual and miss work. During the execution of a 1991 search warrant, VPD seized a Royal typewriter with Elite type from the home of Allen (p. 2). A Zodiac watch was presented to Arthur from the mother as a Christmas gift in 1967, according to Arthur’s brother Ron. The insignia on the Zodiac watch presented to Arthur is duplicative of the cross-circle image trademarked by the Zodiac Killer. A former friend of Arthur, Don Cheney claims that Arthur Allen made the following statements to him on January 1, 1969, Arthur later claiming that this was associated with a novel that he was composing: “He would like to kill couples at random. He would taunt the police with letters detailing his crimes. He would sign the letters with the cross-circle symbol from his watch. He would call himself ‘Zodiac.’ He would wear make-up to change his appearance. He would attach a flashlight to the barrel of his gun in order to shoot at night. He would fool women into stopping their cars in rural areas by claiming they had problems with their tires, then loosen their lug nuts and eventually take them captive” (2007, p. 8). Witnesses have stated that Arthur expressed delight and fascination with the idea of hunting people as animals and that it was more stimulating because the human possessed intelligence. Earlier, years prior to the murders Arthur was arrested and charged with disruption of the peace on June 15, 1958 due to an altercation with a Ralph Spinelli. The Zodiac Killer was also dishonorably discharged from the military in 1958, afterwards becoming an elementary school teacher. This encounter with the police could have initiated the animosity between the police, which is representative of Zodiac’s behavior, taunting law enforcement. Family and friends provided statements to the police, even before newspaper publications concerning Zodiac ciphers, that Arthur possessed cryptograms displaying duplicative symbols. Murderous activity again occurred in December 1968; Arthur had been fired from the teaching job due to molesting a student earlier that year in March. Excessive alcohol abuse followed the termination of employment and Arthur was forced to live at home during that time. Profiles indicate serial killers are always active in areas they are very familiar with. Allen was living only about seven minutes from the Lake Herman Road crime scene. He had an explosive temper, was known to park and drink alcohol in rural settings such as Lake Herman Road, and always carried weapons in his automobile” (2007, p. 15). The concurrence of events are simply too numerous and momentous to dismiss as merely coincidental. Zodiac Killers Behavior Analysis The Zodiac Killer was a killer who did not stick to one pattern of killing. He changed his method of operating and had admitted openly that killing was a sport for him. All of the attacks occur during the weekends, dusk or after dark, and often around holidays. The Zodiac Killer used different type of weapons and he did not seem to have any motives beside violence. The Zodiac Killer wanted credit for the killings and it seems that his rage was more against female then males (McCrary, 2007, p. 5). It seems that The Zodiac Killer’s motive was to demonstrate his superiority. He wanted attention, to control the investigation, to create a terrorist climate and to relive his crimes via the media. The Zodiac Killer went after couples three times during his killing spree. This is an indication that he was feeling envious due to his own inability to have a loving relationship with another person. It seems that the Zodiac Killer was not afraid to confront a male victim, for the simple reason that he confronted three couples when he could have shot one female or one male show that he may have resentment towards the couple’s relationships (McCrary, 2007, p. 5). The Zodiac Killer enjoyed ambushing his victims, but he did not consider the killings high-risk crimes. All of the Zodiacs’ killings were out in the open; they were not risky for him. The Zodiac Killer put himself at risk, when he allowed himself to be interview by phone. For example, the Zodiac Killer would withdraw when he felt as if he was at risk of being caught. In his mind, these crimes may seem like proof of his stealth. He may have fantasized about being more daring that he actually was in real life. When witness described the Zodiac Killer, he appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties, heavyset, strong, and aggressive. In his mind, he may have fantasized about being a skilled “hunter” this may have grown from an immature and an insecure mind (McCrary, 2007, p. 6). The Zodiac Killer was organized, intelligent, and meticulous. When checking the several symbols in the cryptogram, it looks like the symbol for the Taurus the bull, which can probably identify his approximate birth date. The Zodiac Killer seems to enjoy astrology and may have viewed himself as being fated by the stars. Those whom may have been close to The Zodiac may have heard him having knowledgeable discussions about astrological symbols and there meanings (McCrary, 2007, p. 6). The most engaging aspects of The Zodiac Killer’s crime was his ability to taunt the authorities from a superior perspective and to watch the police make fool of themselves while they attempt to apprehend him. This may be an indication of a person who feels uncertain about his intelligence, playing games with others is his way of boosting his own ego. The Zodiac Killer needed to think of himself as smarter then the best detectives and he may have exaggerated the risks that he was taking to validate his smug sense of superiority. The people who knew him best would be familiar with his arrogance as well as his shortcomings and insecurity (McCrary, 2007, p. 6). The Zodiac Killer enjoyed the control he had because he believed that he was in charge; he was running the investigation the way he wanted. The Zodiac Killer could have had the pretensions of being a police officer but for some reason he may have been banned from that profession. Once the Zodiac Killer moved from the Vallejo area into the San Francisco area to commit murder, creating a larger venue for control, along with the ability to spread more terror, and feel more powerful. For the Zodiac Killer it was about his control over the victims, and he did the same with any random victim that he may have chosen (McCrary, 2007, p. 6). The Zodiac Killer enjoyed the control the media and the police agencies of a town the size of San Francisco gave him. In The Zodiac’s mind, that was more evidence of how dumb the police were, and each day that passed without catching him reinforced his opinion and sense of superiority over them. Each time he sent communication, he fueled that fire (McCrary, 2007, p. 6). Repetitive Patterns Evident in the Criminal Acts The Zodiac did not seem to have any repetitive patterns evident in the actual confirmed or suspected criminal acts committed by the person claiming to be Zodiac. His victims were between the ages of 17 and 30, male and female, with no obvious similarities either shot or stabbed in the North California area. The Zodiac’s crime timeline shows no repetitive pattern and the areas of the crimes were almost haphazard in his selection. His only seemingly repetitive pattern was the need to boast and claim his kills to the police and to the public by demanding with threats to have his letters published. The Zodiac’s continuous need to taunt the police with his ciphered letters was not enough he also called the police to report the killings after several of his crimes from phone booths either close to the crime scene or close to a police station. He displayed a genuine need to take full claim of his crimes by supplying the police with details or pieces of evidence know only to him or from the victim. It seems odd that a killer with this intense need to be recognized disappear from the radar by choice. The Zodiac was described as a white male wearing a black, squared hood with a white crossed circle symbol over his chest as identified by the several witnesses and his victims who survived his attack. The symbol on his hood were left at several of his crime scenes and drawn on several of his correspondence the killer sent to the police. He also repeatedly sent letters scolding the San Francisco Police Department for their incompetence while boasting his cleverness on being able to elude the police. Possible “Causes” For The Prevalent Criminality The history of a serial killer is motivated by numerous psychological urges, such as power and sexual frustrations. The various traits of these individuals include bipolar disorders, disorganized thinking, and negative feelings in regards to society mainly due to his or her failed attempt to be socially accepted in their community. The creation of a serial killer occurs during the adolescence phase. Based on their childhood, these individuals have feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness. An example would be the Washington, D.C., sniper serial killings. “A childhood marred by abuse, neglect, and the absence of a father figure rendered Washington, D.C.-area sniper Lee Malvo susceptible to brainwashing techniques that enabled him to kill without emotion, according to a psychiatrist who examined Malvo before his trial” (Bender, 2004, p. 2). Their behaviors involve bedwetting past the age of ten, constant abuse to animals and numerous cases of arson. These individuals enjoy of destroying any given item in order to feel more powerful and get a substantial amount of attention for these maladaptive actions. Most of these serial killers were anti-social and normally did not communicate with anyone. These individuals also had parents who were over bearing, which caused them to have a vivid imagination that allowed them to feel as if they are in a fantasy world. The role of the serial killer’s fantasy is a major contributor to his inappropriate feelings. They have a tendency to fantasize about murder during and before the adolescence stage. Their fantasies normally involve constant daydreaming about exhibiting domination and murder to his victims. These are the main fantasies that they daydream about and will actually be realistic in the near future. Humiliation, bullying, poverty, and a very low socioeconomic life as an adult are the main reasons why these serial killers commit such senseless crimes. These murders are compensated for the factors mentioned above and to give a reassurance of potency. Serial killers are normally classified as antisocial personality disorder. This disorder causes people to disregard the rights of other individuals and the law. Individuals that have this disorder have a tendency to lie and steal. They also have a tendency to exhibit poor parenting responsibilities and often fail to maintain a job. People who often grow up in abusive and neglectful environments are at an extremely high risk and those adults who have suffered from the disorder normally start demonstrating such maladaptive behaviors at the age of 15. This disorder affects men almost three times as often as it does woman. “An antisocial personality disorder is a chronic condition and represents one of the most difficult personality disorders to treat. However, psychotherapy and some medications may help alleviate symptoms. In many cases, the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder decrease as the person reaches middle age” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006, p. 2). These violent acts give the killer a since of revenge because it allows him to have a strong feeling of power before and after the killings. Serial killers have a tendency to view themselves as dominant and controlling individuals. They often feel that they hold the power of life in their hands and consider themselves to be God. The typical profile of a serial killer is a Caucasian male ranging in the ages of 18 through 32. These individuals also enjoy reading articles and observing photographs in numerous magazines that show a considerable amount of torture, rape, and murder. Serial killers target strangers rather than family members and friends. In various cases, there have been incidents that involved a serial killer murdering both men and women and enjoy murdering their family and friends. Most of the murders are often sexually provoked. They are often sexually motivated and have a tendency to be motivated by certain types of criteria in order to select their victims. The knowledge that the serial killer has that their violent acts have terrified the community and have the police clueless to what, when and where these murders are occurring also adds a sense of power to the killer. Conclusion This paper presented a historical serial murder case for review and analyzed the case to identify specific areas of interest. The areas include the psychological characteristics and patterns that might have been inferred about the individual, and certain behavioral variables to be considered. The repetitive patterns evident in the criminal acts committed and possible issues in development and life experience that can be identified as possible “causes” for the prevalent criminality and psychopathology observed will also be presented. The mock behavioral research team feels the subject matter of this presentation is adequate for the information suggested. The team also feels that with the future technological advances, the identity of The Zodiac Killer will be revealed.

References Bender, E (2004, December 3). Legal News. Expert Witness Describes Making of a Serial Killer, 39, Retrieved February 28, 2008, from http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/39/23/13 Mayo Clinic Staff, (2006, October 9). Antisocial personality disorder. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Retrieved February 28, 2008, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antisocial-personality-disorder/DS00829# McCrary, G. (2007). Profile of the Zodiac Killer, Retrieved February 25, 2007, from http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killer/notorious/zodiac_profiles/5.html The Arthur Leigh Allen File. (2007). Retrieved February 25, 2008, from Zodiac Killer Web site: http://www.zodiackiller.com/AllenFile.html

Share this:

• Facebook
• X

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: serial murderer, zodiac killer

This entry was posted on May 27, 2009 at 9:25 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Δ

Blog at WordPress.com. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

• Comment
• Reblog
• Subscribe Subscribed
  • Justice and Security
  Sign me up
  • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• • Justice and Security
  • Subscribe Subscribed
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Copy shortlink
  • Report this content
  • View post in Reader
  • Manage subscriptions
  • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments... Write a Comment... Email (Required) Name (Required) Website %d Design a site like this with WordPress.comGet started