Is there a psychological stereotype for a mass murderer?

Question

After what happened today at Virginia Tech I am wondering if police and forensics are able to create a profile of what was going on in this person's mind.
Please give informative and respectful answers only.

Answer 1

It is sometimes already apparent in children, bullies, vandals, juvenile delinquents, that as they grow the damage they do to their environs and the people in it escalates. And then when they commit murder, everyone looks surprised. But what are you going to do, lock up a 16 year old for life because he's showing all the signs of a mass murderer? First they have to commit the deed, then law enforcement deals with them. All the psychological stereotyping in the world isn't going to change that. Better treatment for people with problems is a good beginning, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of money left for domestic spending when it is being poured down a desert sink hole in the Middle East.

Answer 2

Criminal profiling is one of the most difficult courses a person can study. Ever watched a TV show called "Criminal Minds?"

Anyway, creating a stereotype for a criminal act, whether it is murder, or robbery, or espionage or treason is possible, but ti would be worthless. I've only just finished watching an episode of "Numbers" moments before hearing about the Virginia event, and I can tell you with certainty that the circumstances leading up to a decision to do something rash do have common elements that can be calculated for the course prediction of mental thought patterns that create insanity, however everyone, everyday is subjected to the same common elements, and those people don't commit any crime. So any stereotype created would only be of use if someone trained to recognise the precursor signals from the body language and tone of voice of a potential offender. I believe police officers are given this training during their basic theory classes as a student, but I am unable to advise whether the course notes and study plan are available to the public, or where to aquire them from. As an officer advances in rank, the training in profiling becomes more complex, and those who show a natural gift for it are quickly identified and given the opportunity to contribute in a more meaningful way, perhaps as a fed, or military intelligence, or politics.
If, for example, officers had found the person who had been involved in the first, smaller incident on the other side of the campus, and that person had tried to pretend innocence, a trained officer would have been able to detect the psychological glitches that are created by doing something that the conscience knows is self-destructive, and that would have been it. Given more time, and with the attention of an expert in profiling, some criteria may have been deductable about where the offender may have gone in their disorientated state after the first offence, or perhaps based on the circumstances in which the first offence happened an experienced profiler could have predicted where the offender would go after their rage had returned, and perhaps placed an undercover officer in each of the potential targets.
However, skilled and gifted profilers are very difficult to find and train, and due to their special skills they are far too often bought or farmed by the rich and powerful countries and corporations for special assignments, never to be seen again. It seems the best hold no allegience to any symbolic ideal, like royalty or state, but it is very common for profilers to be deeply spiritual, and often religious, in order to keep it together and stay in their chosen profession.
Lastly, a profile of the inner workings of the offender's mind after they are caught serves nothing, but it would be possible to do if say, for example, law enforcement were trying to predict the movements of an accomplice.

Answer 3

A culture in which violence and gun ownership is accepted, must expect such events on a semi-regular basis. Although the American constitution permits private gun ownership, it was intended only for single shot weapons, not semi automatics. All such weapons should be banned, and only pump or lever actions with magazines holding a maximum of 5 rounds be available to the general public. New ammunition sizes should be introduced, and sales of the old types prohibited, to help phase them out.

Answer 4

Antisocial Personality Disorder (AKA psychopath/sociopath)

Answer 5

A couple of terms that may be worth researching are "psychological autopsy" and "antisocial personality disorder."

Abnormal psychology covers far more than the above, but perhaps they'll help steer you in the direction of what you're looking for.

Answer 6

I heard some "expert" on TV indicating that the evidence reflected that this shooting spree was premeditated. This guy must have been very, very sick in the head.

Answer 7

hate to say, but that's what the problem is, the mass murderers are often commented on their average personalities and "they seemed nice enough"