Organized Vs. Disorganized Killer
Organized killer and disorganized killer are two important items used in the world of behavioral science. According to the Crime Classification Manual, there are different behaviors exhibited during. crime that help investigators decipher what an offender is like. In this article, we will discuss organized and disorganized behavior.
A disorganized killer has many different traits. These include:
Low level of intelligence
Poor work history
Extreme lack of social and interpersonal skills
No long term relationships
Low confidence
Usually suffers from some sort of sexual dysfunction. Such as impotence, being a virgin, pedophilia, necrophilia etc.
While many disorganized killers have heterosexual tendencies, some may perform homosexual acts based on sexuality or as a way to feel dominant. Since a disorganized killer does not have the intelligence to plan a crime, they usually stay in a comfort zone. Meaning, they murder people they know in an area close to their home where they are comfortable. A disorganized killer also tends to “overkill” their victims. Meaning, they commit excess injuries that are not needed to cause death. Such as stabbing someone an additional 15 times after they have died or sustained life threatening injuries. These are the killers who are more likely to commit a sadistic murder. Jack the Ripper is a great example of a disorganized killer. His mutilation of his victims shows overkill. He also murdered prostitutes, who can be considered victims of opportunity. It is also clear from his letters to authorities, that he had a low IQ.
An Organized killer is quite different from a disorganized killer. These individuals are often incredibly intelligent. Meaning, they are able to commit a pre-meditated and methodical murder. These individuals also tend to have great people skills. Meaning, they are able to lure strangers using their charm. Ted Bunny is an excellent example of this. He would use his people skills and good looks in order to make women feel safe in order to kill them. These killers also use their high level of intelligence to control the crime scene. They usually have a fair amount of knowledge about forensic science in order to prevent leaving any evidence. Unlike a disorganized killer, organized killers usually murder in one place and dispose of the body at a different location. The alarming fact about organized killers is that aside from their crimes, they appear to be completely normal. These killers usually have long term relationships, both platonic and romantic. Many of them even have families. Dennis Rader, also known as BTK, was an organized killer. While he committed his crimes, he had a wife and two kids at home. These offenders are usually described as kind individuals who is usually not described as violent by people that know them.
There are also instances where a criminal could be a mixed offender. Meaning, these individuals can display some sense of planning, but the crime itself shows other qualities of a disorganized offender. There have also been cases where the offender starts as organized, but eventually becomes disorganized. External stressors, drugs/alcohol and age can be the causes of this switch. Ted Bunny is a famous example of this phenomenon. Ted Bunny usually planned his crime, he would stalk his victim, then carry out the abduction, rape and murder. However, the Chi-Omega murders were the complete opposite. It was during this crime that Bundy became disorganized. He chose victims of opportunity and used a weapon of opportunity, things he had never done before. External stressors were the main reason for this. At the time of this murder, Ted Bunny had just escaped from jail. This was enough stress for him to abandon his previously organized skills
By using these classifications, investigators are able to narrow down their suspect pool. During interviews with subjects, they can also tell if they have the type of personality that aligns with the crime.
Additional Resources:
Crime Classification Manual: A Standard System for Investigating and Classifying Violent Crime
by, John E. Douglas, Ann W. Burgess, Alan G. Burgess and Robert K. Ressler
