Why Were There So Many Serial Killers in the 70s: Examining the Factors Behind the Surge

The 1970s saw a notable rise in serial killings across the United States. This decade stands out as a dark period in criminal history, with many infamous murderers active during this time.

The number of documented serial killers spiked significantly from 1970 to 1999.

Why Were There So Many Serial Killers in the 70s: Examining the Factors Behind the Surge

Several factors contributed to this increase.

Changes in society, such as increased drug use and the hippie movement, created opportunities for predators.

The aftermath of World War II also played a role, with some veterans struggling to readjust to civilian life.

Law enforcement faced challenges in catching these killers due to limited technology and communication between jurisdictions.

This allowed some criminals to evade capture for years.

The media’s fascination with these cases also gave notoriety to killers like Ted Bundy, fueling public fear and interest.

Key Takeaways

  • Serial killings peaked in the 1970s due to societal changes and law enforcement limitations
  • Media coverage of serial killers increased public awareness and fear
  • Improvements in technology and investigative techniques have since led to a decline in serial killings

Contextualizing the 1970s

The 1970s saw major changes in society and technology that set the stage for an increase in serial killers. These shifts built on trends from the previous decade and created new conditions.

Societal and Technological Landscape

The 70s brought big changes to American life. More women entered the workforce. Divorce rates went up. People moved around more. These trends made it easier for killers to find victims.

New tech also played a role.

Interstate highways let criminals travel farther.

The rise of TV news spread fear about violent crime.

Police didn’t have DNA testing yet. This made catching killers harder.

Attitudes about sex and drugs became more open. Hitchhiking was common. These factors put more people at risk.

Influence of the 1960s

The 60s shaped the next decade in key ways. The Vietnam War left many veterans with trauma. Some turned violent.

Anti-establishment feelings from the 60s carried into the 70s. This made people less trusting of authority. Serial killers took advantage of this mindset.

The hippie movement promoted free love. Drug use became more widespread. These trends created vulnerable targets for predators.

Social norms were changing fast. This upheaval may have affected unstable individuals. It possibly pushed some toward violence.

Profile of a Serial Killer

Serial killers often share certain traits and backgrounds. These factors shape their psychology and influence their choice of victims.

Psychology and Trauma

Many serial killers have a history of childhood trauma. Abuse, neglect, or unstable home lives can lead to mental health issues. This may include anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.

Some killers show signs of psychopathy. They lack empathy and feel no guilt for their crimes. Others may have narcissistic traits or struggle with impulse control.

Brain differences might play a role too. Some studies suggest serial killers may have abnormal brain structures. This could affect their behavior and decision-making.

Demographics and Victims

Serial killers are often young men. They typically start their crimes in their 20s or 30s. Women can be serial killers too, but it’s less common.

Victims are usually chosen based on vulnerability. Young women are frequent targets.

Other groups at risk include:

  • Sex workers
  • Runaways
  • Elderly people
  • Children

Some killers pick victims who remind them of someone from their past. Others choose based on opportunity or specific traits.

Killers may have a “type” they prefer. But their victim selection can also evolve over time.

Notable Cases of the 70s

The 1970s saw several infamous serial killers who shocked the nation. These cases gripped public attention and sparked fear in communities across America.

Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy

Ted Bundy killed at least 30 young women across multiple states. He was known for his charm and good looks, which he used to lure victims. Bundy escaped custody twice before his final arrest in 1978.

John Wayne Gacy murdered 33 young men and boys in Chicago. He worked as a clown at children’s parties and buried many victims under his house. Gacy’s crimes came to light in 1978 when police searched his property.

Both men were executed for their crimes – Bundy in 1989 and Gacy in 1994. Their cases highlighted the need for better communication between law enforcement agencies.

Zodiac Killer and the Hillside Strangler

The Zodiac Killer terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He killed at least 5 people but claimed to have murdered 37. The killer sent taunting letters and complex ciphers to the press. His identity remains unknown today.

The Hillside Strangler turned out to be two men – cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono. They killed 10 young women in Los Angeles in 1977-1978. The pair posed as police officers to gain their victims’ trust.

These cases led to increased public awareness of serial killers. They also spurred advances in criminal profiling and forensic techniques.

Law Enforcement and Legal Response

Police and the FBI faced major hurdles in catching serial killers during the 1970s. New tools and methods were developed to help solve these complex cases.

Challenges and Developments in Policing

The rise of serial killings in the 1970s caught law enforcement off guard. Police departments lacked the resources and training to handle these complex cases.

Communication between agencies was limited, making it hard to spot patterns across jurisdictions.

The FBI stepped in to help local police. They created the Behavioral Science Unit to study serial killers and develop profiles. This helped detectives narrow down suspects.

New databases allowed police to share information more easily.

The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) was launched in 1985. It helped link similar crimes across the country.

Advances in Forensic Science

Forensic science made big leaps in the 1970s and 1980s. New techniques helped solve cases that were once considered hopeless.

DNA testing was a game-changer. It first helped convict a killer in 1987. Since then, it has become a crucial tool for catching serial killers.

Other advances included:

  • Improved fingerprint analysis
  • Ballistics databases
  • Blood spatter analysis
  • Fiber analysis

These tools raised the homicide clearance rate. They also helped solve old cases, bringing justice to victims’ families years later.

Cultural Impact

The rise of serial killers in the 1970s left a lasting mark on American society. It changed how people viewed crime and safety, while also shaping entertainment and media.

Media Representation and True Crime Genre

Television played a big role in spreading news about serial killers. Shows like “America’s Most Wanted” brought these crimes into people’s homes. This led to a boom in true crime stories.

Books about serial killers became very popular. Writers like Harold Schechter wrote detailed accounts of famous cases. These books helped create a new genre of literature.

Movies and TV shows started featuring more serial killer characters. This trend continued for decades, with shows like “Dexter” becoming hits.

Public Perception and Fear

The idea of random, violent crimes scared many people. It made them feel less safe in their own neighborhoods. Some changed their daily habits out of fear.

People became more aware of personal safety. They started locking doors more often and watching their surroundings. Parents became more protective of their children.

The language people used to talk about crime changed. Terms like “serial killer” entered everyday speech. This reflected a growing fear of this type of violence.

Many viewed the 1970s as a time when violence increased. This perception lasted long after the decade ended, shaping how people thought about crime and safety for years to come.

Technological Advancements in Criminal Investigations

New tools and methods have changed how police solve crimes. These advances help catch killers faster and link cases that seem unrelated.

Role of New Technology

Police now use DNA testing to find criminals. This method can match small amounts of DNA to suspects. It helps solve old cases too.

Computer databases let cops share info across states. This makes it harder for killers to hide by moving around. Police can search for similar crimes in other areas.

Better cameras and video tools help catch criminals on tape. Cell phone records can show where a person was. These clues help build strong cases.

Data Collection and Murder Accountability

The Murder Accountability Project tracks unsolved murders. It uses computer programs to find patterns. This helps spot serial killers that cops might miss.

Improved data collection means fewer crimes go unnoticed.

Police can now link murders across different areas. This makes it harder for killers to avoid being caught.

Digital records make it easier to study crime trends. Experts can look at lots of cases at once. This helps them understand how killers work and how to stop them.

Evolving Trends and Decline

The number of serial killers peaked in the 1980s but has since dropped sharply. This shift reflects changes in society, technology, and law enforcement practices.

From the ‘Golden Age’ to Present

The 1970s and 1980s saw a surge in serial killers, often called the “golden age of serial murder.”

Nearly 770 serial killers were active in the U.S. during the 1980s. The numbers stayed high in the 1990s, with about 670 active killers.

But a big change came after 2000. The rate fell below 400 in the early 2000s. By 2016, there were just over 100 known serial killers. This sharp drop surprised many experts.

The reasons for this decline are complex. Better policing methods, DNA testing, and widespread use of security cameras have made it harder for killers to avoid capture.

Changing Patterns and Societal Adaptation

Society has changed in ways that make serial killing more difficult.

People are more aware of personal safety. They are less likely to hitchhike or trust strangers.

The internet and cell phones have changed how people interact.

This makes it harder for killers to find isolated victims.

Law enforcement has improved too.

Agencies share information better. They use advanced forensic techniques to solve crimes faster.

There are fewer unsolved murders now.

This means potential serial killers are often caught after their first crime.

The decline in serial killers is seen across the Western world.

It shows how society can adapt to threats and become safer over time.

Legacy and Modern Understanding

The 1970s serial killer phenomenon left a lasting impact on criminal justice and society.

It sparked advancements in investigative techniques and shaped public perceptions of violent crime.

Improvements in Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling took major steps forward due to the rise of serial killers.

The FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, formed in 1972, developed new methods to analyze crime scenes and predict offender characteristics.

These techniques helped solve cases like the Golden State Killer.

Profilers began looking at patterns in victim selection, crime scene behavior, and geographical locations of attacks.

DNA analysis emerged as a powerful tool.

It allowed investigators to link crimes and identify suspects years or decades later.

Influence on Criminal Justice and Policy

The serial killer era led to tougher sentencing laws in many states. Some reinstated the death penalty, while others added life without parole for multiple murders.

Parole policies became stricter for violent offenders. This was partly due to cases where released killers committed new crimes.

Victim advocacy groups gained strength. They pushed for better support services and changes to the justice system.

The UK also saw impacts, despite having fewer serial killers. It adopted some US profiling techniques and increased focus on repeat offenders.