THE PAST IS THEIR FUTURE
Why is it that not all abused children become serial killers? and not all serial killers were abused as a child? In a study made by Michael G. Aamodt, he found that 32% of all serial killers he examined had no history of abuse, and most people who faced abuse are not subjective to becoming a serial killer. Yet, it may not be abuse that is the trigger, but a simple accident or hit on the head as a child (where you're knocked unconscious) can cause major violent risk factors.
There is however, scientific reasoning as to why childhood abuse or head injuries in someone's youth can create such emotionless and inhumane beings. Brain damage caused as a child can affect many areas in the brain: orbitofrontal cortex and the interior part of the temporal cortex. These front areas control all reasoning skills on whether to take a risk or a calculated execution. Neuroscientists have discovered that the orbital cortices of serial killers are somewhat maladaptive, having less impulse to control than the average person. This therefore results in the inclined behaviour to act more primitively.
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A reduction in the posterior cingulate means that the complex process of SEMH (social, emotional and mental health) from all over the brain is poor. This reduction also effects the controlling and regulating of behaviour, attention and vigilance;
A loss of tissue in the insula shrinks the brains function in reading people's behaviours/feelings down to their facial expression (resulting in someone who lacks feelings for others);
Finally, the Amygdala is the seat of emotions. A small reduction in this can have a huge difference in behaviour with a major risk factor being a lack of fear. This risk factor is similarly found in psychopaths and 25% of murderers do have psychopathic personalities.
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Controversially, infamous Ted Bundy, renowned for his charisma, handsome looks and ability to fake injuries to take advantage of naïve girls, had no obvious signs of childhood trauma (apart from growing up and believing his mother was his sister). Jeffery Dahmer, also had a fairly average childhood. His parents split up while he was young, but this shouldn’t have been a catalyst when comparing how nowadays only one quarter of parents stay together. This therefore, should have little impact on the creation of such killers.
Genetics, environment, trauma, and personality are all various factors that drives a serial killers behaviour. Generalizing the cause of criminal behaviour would be presumptuous and inaccurate, but the link between childhood abuse and serial killing has been apparent in many studies over the decades. Beyond certain common personality traits, serial killers are uniquely shaped by their own extraordinary experiences, circumstances, and mindsets.
