serial killers/mass murderers

[stephen.hove]

i often see the term serial killer wrongly used, in my opinion. surely a serial killer foolows a strict pla, while a mass murdered, like shipman, just kill a lot of people. any thoughts on this?

[BadBob]

I'd go for serial killer, its normally a term used for a person who murders in a pattern over a significant period of time, where as mass murder is multiple murders in a short period such as your local postman going a bit nuts, or the Hungerford chap. As Shipman killed over an extended period (possibly years), used similar methods and by the fact he was fully in control of his actions he could be correctly termed a serial killer.

[seal]

to be a serial killer you have to murder three or more poeple, over a period of time.

[andy hughes]

In strict dictionary terms, Shipman was a serial killer - I believe further criteria include the number of victims - three or more, and the similar method used. A mass murderer is someone like Tomothy MacVey who killed a large number of people simultaneously.

[davver]

Apparently the technical definition of a serial killer is someone who kills more than twice in two years. But I agree, what you outlined makes a good distinction.

[stephen.hove]

sorry for the poor spelling by the way. new keyboard and all.