Criminologists are tasked with conducting research to determine crime typology and to do profiling. The crime topology and profiling can best be established by theorizing and application of tested principles that aid the criminologist to understand various causes and treatments of crime (Siegel, 2013). The following paper reviews criminal theories that relate to serial killers and how they explain the motivation of the Zodiac Killer.
Different theories explain the cause of crime based on the human nature, biological factors, sociological, and economic aspects. Zodiac Killer has remained to be a mystery; hence, no single theory can be used to explain the works of the Zodiac Killer. Some of the theories that can explain the killings are the classical and neoclassical theories. The theories are based on behavioral practices. For instance, the classical theory stipulates that criminals derive pleasure from inflicting pain on the victim. The explanation is based on the principle that behavior of human beings is due to free will, which is informed by a rational choice. As a result, pain and pleasure are crucial in the identification and explaining particular human behavior. In relation to the Zodiac Killer, the cryptograms, and letters to the newspapers written by the killer could be an explanation of the Zodiac having been deriving joy from his acts.
Even though the classical theory tends to explain the work of the Zodiac Killer, it does not conclusively address some elements of the killings. For instance, the movie and narrations from the victims depict the criminal as being obsessed by the murders and to some extent signifies that he could have been suffering from mental problems. Thus, the psychological and psychiatric approaches can explain the serial killings. The principle assumption is that inappropriate mental process can lead to criminal behavior (Borum, 2004). The theories have gained grounds due to the identification of a suspect who lived in three different locations at the time the killings occurred in the areas. The suspect suffered from a psychological disorder that could have led to the murders. Though the psychological and psychiatric approaches provide the most probable explanation of the Zodiac Killer, it is worth noting that the primary unit of analysis is the specific individual, which lacks in the case of the Zodiac Killer.
Sociological theories also form a basis for explaining the works of the Zodiac Killer. An example of a sociological theory that can be used is the conflict theory. The theory assumes that crime takes place due to the existence of different social classes. Therefore, social and economic differences may influence an individual to commit a crime. The social theories are closely linked to psychological theories due to the influence they have on behavior leading to defiance (Rao, 2007). The crime typology in relation to social issues can be established by linking the perceived social injustices and humiliation biographies of the criminal (Siegel, 2013). The works of Zodiac Killer resembled acts of terrorism. However, bearing in mind that the unit of analysis for social behaviors is the individual, the sociological theories do not give an absolute explanation of what motivated the anonymous Zodiac Killer.
In conclusion, psychological and psychiatric theories present a better explanation of the motivating factors to the serial killings. However, other theories cannot be ruled out due to the topology of killings by the Zodiac. From the movie, the Zodiac seems to have started his crime spree out of nowhere, no childhood records and stopped it suddenly; hence, complicating the probable identification of a single approach that explains the works of the Zodiac Killer.
References
Borum, R. (2004). Psychology of terrorism. Tampa: University of South Florida.
Rao, T. S. (2007). Psychiatrist and the science of criminology: Sociological, psychological and psychiatric analysis of the dark side. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 49(1), 3-11.
Siegel, L. J. (2013). Criminology: theories, patterns, and typologies. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.