Clues from Killers: Serial Murder and Crime Scene Messages

by Dirk C. Gibson

Book Overview

Serial killers come from different backgrounds, attain different levels of education, and hold various types of jobs. However, many serial killers do have at least one thing in common: the desire to communicate regarding their crimes. Killers from Jack the Ripper to the Son of Sam often provide clues to their identities, their motives--even their future targets--through crime scene notes, letters to the media, calls to police, messages scrawled...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0275983609
• ISBN13: 9780275983604
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Innovative Analysis of a Timely Topic

CLUES FROM KILLERS is a topical book which defies expectations. It uses techniques of rhetorical criticism in an integrative way to shed light on the diverse communications serial killers have left behind at crime scenes. Author Dirk Gibson acknowledges his indebtedness to recent developments in historiography, and the influence of the Annalistes is felt in the writing of each chapter and in the overall method of the book. Journalistic acumen is paired with solid historical research to create vivid pictures not just of these infamous killers, but of their hapless victims in diverse places, times and social circumstances. This did much to sustain my interest in the human drama attendant upon some of the most loathsome crimes imaginable. Mr. Gibson takes the reader on a dark ride of crimes and communications perpetrated by 10 different serial killers, from New York's Son of Sam to LA's Black Dahlia Avenger, with lethal stops at the hands of Jack the Ripper, the Unabomber, the Zodiac Killer, and the recently arrested Scout Leader, Dog Catcher and Church attendee from Kansas who is best be known by his communicated moniker as the BTK Killer. Given this grim subject matter, Mr. Gibson's approach is dispassionate and informative. He brings the tools of rhetorical analysis to bear on the culprits' communications, and produces insights which will be helpful to laypersons as well as to professionals in law enforcement and communications studies. In describing the initial letter from the BTK killer, written after the first killing in 1974, Mr. Gibson notes that : "The writer meant to terrify by predicting more murders. Yet other sections seemed intellectual and intended to inform." Terse non-judgmental analysis like this sketches the personality profile of the apprehended subject, a bipolar individual with developed rational powers who liked to let other people know when they'd committed infractions of regulations, coexisting with a sadistic killer beyond the pale of human conduct. With similar analysis Dirk Gibson builds a case that serial killers are driven to communicate verbally, sometimes in ways taunting the police by extolling the killers' own supposed prowess in escaping detection, sometimes as informational recountings of the crimes, and then again as psychotic threats by monsters intent on subsequent murder. The book broadens the topology of communication studies; it is also to be hoped that the research done here might help law enforcement in future efforts to catch such repeat killlers early. CLUES FROM KILLERS is thoroughly grounded in the facts of the killings, the killers and their means of communicating. The book integrated police reports, journalistic accounts and a broad range of secondary sources in a clear style refreshingly free of academic jargon. Reading the book made me curious to know more about these crimes. The only recommendation I would make to the author for the book's second edition might be a timeline for ea

Clues From Killers

I couldnt put this book down once we received it in the mail. Its a great book for anyone who wants to study the mind of killers. Thanks for bringing such a great book to us serious readers out here!! sandy- from Iowa

Clues from Killers : Serial Murder and Crime Scene Messages

I wonder if the Kansas reviewer read this book. A much more accurate picture was given by Bill Newnam. Better yet, buy it and see how good it is for yourself.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this material

I read some of the reviews prior to reading the book. I felt that Mr. Newnam's comments were quite helpful while Dominiques were not. The book conveys information that was very useful for the research I am currently involved in. I felt the format of the book made it very easy to follow and it kept my interest throughout.

great information

I thought the book was a very interesting read. I would highly recommend this great book!!