The technical definition of "serial killer" is a person who kills 3 or more people with intervals between them (3 or more people at once is a mass murderer). Some people, like Ed Gein, are considered serial killers although they didn't kill 3 people, but their crimes were so gruesome they fit the bill.

Katie, 25
Seminole, FL   USA

I think a serial killer is a person who takes the lives of more than one person with an intent.

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

Lots and lots of homicides. Why they kill varies from person to person.

Alias Irrelevante

A deranged, chemically imbalanced mind. I think if they really knew the complete answer to that question, there could be preventative measures at the first signs of a problem. There are just too many undiscovered issues and unsolved mysteries about the brain to be able to truly answer this question.

Fisch, 45
Preston, CT   USA

Somebody with a lot of psychological problems, who more than likely had a bad childhood.

Dianne, 16
Ontario  CANADA

Is it even possible to answer this question? I would think that it's a lot of different things, but I don't know if there's a particular personality trait...

Jeremy, 14
Highlands Ranch, CO  USA

People with minds highly trained in psychology haven't yet figured this out, so my untrained speculations don't mean much. I suspect that serial killers have no concept of right and wrong, only a need to avenge themselves for a perceived prior injury.

Jane, 60
West Linn, OR   USA

A few different factors. Bad childhood, naturally, is very frequently a factor. Maybe not even an entirely bad one. One traumatic incident might be enough to set someone off course. Although i think the majority of serial killers come from troubled pasts, I think that in some cases it may be the

Talia, 23
Wilton, CT   USA

Probably lots of different motivations, but one driving similarity: A complete disconnect that allows the killer to see others as objects only. I can't believe that seriel killers have any empathy for those they kill.

I would suspect immense egoism or a complete lack of it also play into the mix.

Felicia, 35
Lowell, MA   USA

Somebody in my class is doing a research report on what makes a serial killer. Honestly, I do not think there is one answer to that.

Frodo
age unknown, parts unknown

A serial killer is created by any combination of circumstances that result in estrangement from the human race.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg, PA  USA

lack of love---for self and for others

Anjel, 20

since i'm not a serial killer, i wouldn't know. but from what i see/hear, it takes a freak to do those things to people.

Mandi, 16
Lake City, MN   USA

Somebody who doesn't like breakfast very much.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames, IA  USA

I was about to say someone who kills multiple times, but then I thought of the army. Good question, I'll have to get back on that.

Shanna, 16
Cardiff  ENGLAND

Who knows?

Reba, 51
Rockville, MD   USA

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