Serial killer theory

CaliFFL

Peter Vronsky has proposed a theory that states "the sons of war veterans are more prone to become serial killers."  This is based on the volume of serial killers in the 70's and 80's. His theory claims there will be a surge in serial killers in the next 25 years, because current combat veterans will have sons who will serial kill. This is based on raising sons while suffering from PTSD. 

I'm not buying it, but it is interesting. 

https://nypost.com/2018/08/13/the-greatest-generation-gave-rise-to-the-golden-age-of-serial-killers/

earlyagain

The old west gun slingers idolized in story and film weren't serial killers? 

 Human behavior including physiological cause in effect is a great deal more complicated than a narrow scope of focus can illuminate.

IMO any theory dealing with such a complexed subject that's derived by only one lone individual should be assumed inconclusive.

Old Ron

I don't buy into that at all.  That is like saying if your dad was a drunk you would be a serial killer.  They are always looking for a way to explain madness .  Never going to happen.

NN

I looked at the numbers------possibly he is wrong----he should have found the platinum age
starting in the mid 90's because of the Vietnam war--- for his theory   to have merit.


And then a second look would state that it started after the first saber-toothed tiger attack
or the first human fought war.

So when you go out on the street, look around-----everyone you see may be a serial killer! 

CaliFFL

I think he's wrong simply because Europe did not see the similar numbers of serial killers during the same time period. Also, were the known killers sons of combat vets? I googled Ted Bundy, and he was not raised by a WWII combat vet. John Wayne Gacy was the son of a WWI vet and Berkowitz wasn't raised by a vet. I didn't see anything that suggested Dahmer or Ramirez were the sons of vets. Possibly, but the info is not on Wikipedia. 

Gene L

Jeffery Dahmer's father was a mathematician.  John Wayne Gacy's father was a WW 1 veteran.  Ted Bundy's father is unknown: he was born out of wedlock.  So I don't buy the eugenics theory on serial killers.

bullsi1911

This is a great example of “correlation does not equal causation”

Gila

They determine the desired results, then write the theory to fit it.  They do not let facts get in the way of the outcome, so they use the statistics that fit instead.

orchidman

Quite frankly, I have my own theory and it makes more sense ,,,

100% of men and women that are or have been married will die sometime in their lifetime.

Therefore marriage is fatal.

Big Chief

I think they just like to kill............. pigeonhole*  theories abound and I believe none explain the reasons why folks are serial killers. Each one is different and although they may share commonalities with some others, it doesn't prove much to me.

*a neat category which usually fails to reflect actual complexities

Gene L

I don't think there is a way to figure them out, as just about all are different with zero tells.  They're just weird with a compulsion we can't understand and maybe never will.  It's aberrant and not in an acceptable way, like wearing  strange headgear, just criminal aberrance. The more you read about them, and I've read a lot, the less you can figure them out.  From the Son of Sam to Wayne Williams to Ted Bundy to JW Gacy, to that guy in Russia, most of them seem to be motivated by perverted sexual compulsions.  Maybe not Sam.

Gene L

Gene L said:

Jeffery Dahmer's father was a mathematician.  John Wayne Gacy's father was a WW 1 veteran.  Ted Bundy's father is unknown: he was born out of wedlock.  So I don't buy the eugenics theory on serial killers.

Dahmer's father was a chemist.  I think Dahmer served as a Medic in the Army but was given a less than honorable discharge for drinking all the time.

NN

So, if you pull wings off bugs----------------

Michakav

Wambli Ska said:

orchidman said:

Quite frankly, I have my own theory and it makes more sense ,,,

100% of men and women that are or have been married will die sometime in their lifetime.

Therefore marriage is fatal.

Even a brief exposure will kill you eventually!!!!!!!

It's usually slow and painful too!

Big Chief

I saw his pic in a unit photo in a barracks building in Baumholder Germany in the 90s where they were displayed.

He was a medic, but got an honorable discharge. His bad performance and alcohol abuse got him discharged and like many I guess they figured it was an easy way to let him go with a chance on the outside if he stopped drinking. Unbeknownst to them he was a killer.

There was a few unsolved murders/disappearances there folks were still wondering if he had anything to do with while stationed there.

coolgunguy

Well, you know what they say about theories and opinions...