Random Warning Signs That Someone You Know Might Be A Serial Killer (12 items)

(#8) They Have Trouble Holding Down A Job

Sure, we all hate the monotony of a 9-5 job, but serial killers are even worse at holding down jobs. A lot of them tend to work more blue-collar jobs, sticking to unskilled labor so it's easier to move on to the next thing. David Berkowitz, whose intelligence was above-average, worked several low-ranking jobs, including as a mailman, before he was eventually caught.

So, if someone you know has a new job every week because they weren't content with their last one, then it might be time to cut that person out of your life before they end up murdering you.
(#2) They Torture Small Animals

If someone you know likes to take small animals and put them in elaborate traps straight out of a Saw movie, it's a pretty safe bet to assume they'll be a serial killer when they grow up.

Torturing small animals is a major indicator for something more serious. Serial killers kill to control other peoples' lives, and when they are younger, small animals are one of the only types of lives that they have the power to control.

Famous serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer, David Berkowitz, and Albert DeSalvo all admitted that small animal abuse was one of their first violent acts, and when studies were performed on violent prisoners in prison, it was revealed that 70% of the most violent prisoners often engaged in animal cruelty when they were younger.
(#10) They Exhibit Extreme Antisocial Behavior

This warning sign is particularly difficult to diagnose. It's said that serial killers often exhibit extreme antisocial behavior as children, but it's hard to pinpoint what exactly antisocial behavior is. The easiest way to tell if your child is displaying antisocial behavior that will make them grow up to kill a bunch of people is to notice if the child goes from being extremely social to extremely antisocial over a short period of time.

Ed Gein, who was the inspiration for Norman Bates, had no social connections whatsoever besides his "loving" mother, who would punish Gein whenever he tried to make friends, and this led to Gein living an antisocial lifestyle that didn't end well for anyone.
(#9) They Have A Horrible Family Life

Many serial killers come from less-than-stellar homes. A lot of them are abused in all sorts of traumatic, horrific ways that break their psyche down and help develop their serial killer tendencies. This abuse causes the child to feel humiliated and helpless, which in turn, is a feeling they will later seek to instill in their own victims.

It's safe to say that since serial killers have poor relationships with their families, it's not shocking to find out the families are among the first victims. At 15, Ed Kemper killed his grandparents, followed by six female college students, and then his violent, abusive mother. Kemper decapitated his mom's corpse, used her head as a dart board, and then tossed her vocal cords down the garbage disposal.
(#3) They Struggle With Substance Abuse

Criminologist Craig Traube revealed in a study that serial killers share several overlapping behaviors with substance abusers. Serial killers often have a need to kill that they can't control. They often experiment with different methods or victims until they find a pattern they like and then stick with it.

With serial killers being so similar to addicts, it's not surprising to discover that a lot of major serial killers were substance abusers as well. Jeffrey Dahmer was an alcoholic by the time he was in high school, and Ted Bundy quickly shifted to alcohol, drugs, and porn when he was arrested and could no longer kill. So, next time you're at a party, keep an eye out for the person who sips just a little too much from the tequila bottle.
(#11) They Have An Unusual IQ

If you ever get your hands on an IQ test, try to get the important people in your life to take it and see if they match up with any famous serial killers. It's said that a lot of serial killers have IQs in what is called the bright normal range, while others have unusually low scores. Organized serial killers like John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy have an IQ around 113, while disorganized serial killers only have an average of 93.

Ed Kemper had a very high level of intelligence, and he was able to use that to convince psychiatrists to release him five years after he killed his grandparents. They all thought he was reformed, but of course, as soon as he was out, he killed eight more women.