tish, 1892), Dr. Harry Howard Holmes (American, 1892-1896), Dr. Donald Clark (American, 1967), Dr. Arnfinn Nesset (Norwegian, late 1970s), Dr. Harold Shipman (British, 2000), Dr. Michael Swango (American, 1990s) and others (Kinnell, 2000, p. 1594). Medical serial killers also included women such as Linda Burfield Hazzard (Iserson, 2002), Genene Jones (American, 1978-1982) and Terri Rachals (American, 1985-1986) (Kelleher & Kelleher, 1998).
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the personality characteristics, motivation and actions of some of these infamous medical professionals in order to construct a composite profile of a medical serial killer. More specifically, the detailed exploration of the case study of Dr. Harold Shipman by following the trail of his crimes, the official investigation and his trial will not only highlight his techniques, but also identify distinctive aspects of his life and personality that might have accounted for his pathological need to kill. Finally, a brief examination of the social and institutional factors that have facilitated the perpetration of the crimes by medical professionals will also be provided.
Based on their extensive review of serial killers throughout history, researchers specializing in the field of serial killers have created theories to explain medical professionals' need to kill repeatedly. Lawrence Miller, a police psychologist in West Palm Beach, Florida, suggested that serial killers' killing behavior is an extreme version of the typical hunting behavior that is characteristic of males. While typical males exhibit this hunting behavior through social and professional activities such as hunting, entrepreneurial ventures and team sports, serial killers possess a craving for violence and power that is driven by a perverse fantasy. When they realize their fantasy, the serial killers experience the euphoric sensation of triumph that propels them to another killing in ord...