Serial Killers: Separating Facts from Fiction

• In Event: Media Coverage and Representations of Violence

Abstract

Serial killers continue to fascinate the American public in the 21st century. Popular culture representation of serial killers – in movies, television shows, and novels – has remained high despite the fact that serial killing accounts for a very small percentage of reported homicides in the United States. This media-driven fascination with serial killers has also generated misleading information on the nature of serial killing. This study seeks to identify erroneous representations of serial killers in popular culture using available empirical evidence on real-life serial killers. Policy implications and recommendations will also be discussed.

Authors

• Courtney Adam, Sonoma State University

• Jacqueline Gonzales, Sonoma State University