Though they may be prime fodder for documentaries, podcasts, and TV series, there's a lot about serial killers that even the most devoted true crime fans don't know. For instance, did you know that the FBI has an extremely specific definition for the term "serial killer"? Or that you'll likely walk past 36 murderers in your lifetime?
From the shockingly high number of active serial killers in the United States to the strangely human origins of the werewolf, here are 18 creepy facts about serial killers.
1
“Serial killers behave like bees. They commit crimes close to home, but far enough that neighbors don’t get suspicious. Similarly, bees collect pollen near the hive, but far enough that predators can’t find them. Scientists studied bee behavior and found algorithms police now use to catch felons.”
2
"The modern idea of the Werewolf was most likely based on Medieval serial killers mainly from France & Germany such as Peter Stumpp & Pierre Burgot and Michel Verdun."
3
“Proportional to its population, Alaska has produced the most Serial killers at 15.65 serial killings per one million inhabitants.”
4
“In the 19th century a Portuguese serial killer's head was preserved in a jar after his execution for scientific purposes.”
6
“There may be as many as 35-50 active serial killers in the US.”
7
“The USA has 3,204 recorded serial killers, about 67.58% of the world’s total recorded serial killers. England has 166 recorded Serial killers at number two, while South Africa has 117 recorded serial killers at number three”
8
“Significantly more serial killers are born in November than any other month.”
9
“TIL that 76% of all known serial killers in the 20th century were from the United States.”
10
“Only 12.5% of US serial killers fit the profile most often typified in media today— an intelligent, white male in his 20s.”
11
In a study of 300 serial killers, only 2.3% turned themselves in to the authorities.
12
“The 1970s to 1990s is considered the Golden Age of Serial Killers, for a variety of reasons.”
13
“The FBI has a very specific definition for 'serial killer': someone who has intentionally killed at least 3 people, but not all at once. There must be so-called ‘cooling off’ periods between each murder.”
14
“Female serial killers typically kill people they know for money while male serial killers typically kill strangers for s—x.".”
15
“The youngest known serial killer ever is Amerjeet Sada who killed 3 young children at the age of 8, including his neighbor's baby whom he bludgeoned with a brick.”
16
Hybristophilia, or attraction to a person who has committed crimes, is one reason why so many serial killers receive fan mail.
17
On average, a person will walk by 36 murders in their life.
18
“London, Ontario was once the serial killer capital of the world, despite a then-population of 180,000. 10% of all Canadian serial killers since 1867 had resided there.”
19
Three of the top five most prolific serial killers are from Colombia.
