The 7 Phases

Before starting this research project, I believed that the only stages a serial killer had was a sudden urge to kill and then the action of them actually killing their victims. Well, sad to admit, but I was wrong. Actually, to my surprise, there are 7 psychological phases of a serial killer. After researching, I found a website that actually proved me otherwise, but I am still not sure how credible the source is.
http://www.criminalmindsfanwiki.com/page/Psychological+Phases

The first phase that a serial killer experiences is called the aura phase. This is somewhat of a pre-serial killer phase because they are starting to become a stone-cold killer. They begin to lose connection to the real world and begin to be antisocial. They think that life does not have any meaning to them anymore. This phase usually begins with the future serial killer having fantasies about violent acts. After some time, they have to urge to act out there fantasies on someone. This phase can last anywhere from a few moments to a few months.


The next phase is called the trolling phase. This is the phase where the so-called serial killer "hunts for his prey" so to speak. He (or she) takes the time to look for the potentially perfect victim. Usually a serial killer will start looking for victims in a place that makes them feel comfortable. After the right victim is found, the next phase is in motion. It is called the wooing phase. Well from its name you can probably tell that it's similar to wooing your dream guy/girl. But, in this case it's not so much trying to impress the person, it is more of trying to gain the victims trust. This phase is more done by organized serial killers rather than disorganized ones.

The fourth phase is known as the capture phase. The killer basically "comes out" and reveals who
he really is and what his intentions are. Along with the great reveal, as the phase is called, The killer captures the victim. They can do anything from handcuffing the victim to knocking them unconscious. The killer then takes the victim to some remote location where they cannot be found and begins the next phase... the murder phase. This phase is pretty much self explanatory but I shall explain it nonetheless. This is when the killer acts out his violent fantasies on the victim and kills them in the end. Organized killers take the time to torture their victims to the point of near death, while in comparison, disorganized killers kill instantaneously.

When the murder is complete, the next phase has begun. This phase is known as the totem phase. After the murder has been committed, the killer has lost excitement from the kill and wants to preserve their "experience." They usually do this by taking something from their victims. These things can include, their victims clothes or possessions or even news reports about their murder. The murderer might even keep some of their victims body parts. A lot of serial killers generally, take photos and video of the murder process to keep as a reminder.

The last phase before the cycle begins again is called the depression phase. During this phase the killer realizes that the victim he killed did not fully satisfy his fantasies. He goes into somewhat of a depression state that could last up to a couple months. Because of this, the murderer begins to look for the next victim to fulfill his fantasies. On the hunt for a new victim again, the whole cycle is repeated until the serial killer is caught or killed (possibly committing suicide).

Citation: "Psychological Phases - Criminal Minds Wiki." Psychological Phases - Criminal Minds Wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2016.