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Criminal Minds - Serial Killers: Additional Resources

A guide to sources on research and profiling of serial killers

Interested in Criminal Justice?

Info on Serial Killers

Suggested Articles

In Living Color...

The Silence of the Lambs (1991):  A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

Se7en (1995): A serial killer uses the seven deadly sins as the template for his killing spree.

Mr. Brooks (2007): Mr. Brooks, a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, a loving father, and a devoted husband, is seemingly perfect, but he has a secret. He is also the notorious Thumbprint Killer, and no one has ever suspected it until now.

Criminal Minds (TV Series): A group of profilers analyze the nation's most dangerous criminal minds in an effort to anticipate their next moves before they strike again.

Dexter (TV Series): A likeable Miami police forensics expert moonlights as a serial killer of criminals who he believes have escaped justice.

List of Serial Killers

Research Suggestions:

  • Jeffrey Dahmer
  • Charles Manson
  • Ray Norris
  • Robert Berdella
  • William Bonin
  • David Berkowitz
  • Ed Gein
  • Jerry Brudos
  • Joe Ball
  • Albert DeSalvo
  • Kristen Gilbert
  • Donald Harvey
  • Ted Bundy
  • Dennis Radar
  • Richard Ramirez
  • Belle Gunness

Research Terms

Topic Suggestions:

  • Serial Killers
  • Serial Killings
  • Spree Murders
  • Mass Murders
  • Serial Murderers
  • Multiple Murders
  • Criminal Profiling
  • Criminal Minds 
  • Criminal Psychology