Criminal profiling: What makes them tick?

Revenge is actually a much darker crime because it’s premeditated.
If you believe it's acceptable to take matters into your own hands and play judge, jury, and executioner, then I think you have some serious issues with your moral compass.

If major agencies like the FBI and CIA study these cases from their earliest stages, they tend to conclude that genetic predisposition plays a much smaller role than the sheer weight of social injustice acting upon an individual. It is the convergence of circumstances—the specific location, socioeconomic status, the neighborhood, and even the immediate micro-environment of one's residence—that dictates the potential for revolt. This impulse toward rebellion exists within all of us, manifesting in varying degrees of intensity; while favorable conditions usually keep it at a simmer, certain pressures can cause it to erupt into something truly monstrous. In many ways, we all carry a criminal element within us, shaped by how much our society, our circles, and our families permit us to deviate. Rather than being aggressive toward individuals, the solution lies in fostering genuine human connections—treating people with respect instead of condescension, offering support, and working toward a society where everyone’s unique talents have a place to thrive. If we build that kind of foundation, the need for such profiles simply vanishes.

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Edward Booth9 said:Revenge is actually a much darker crime because it’s premeditated.
If you believe it's acceptable to take matters into your own hands and play judge, jury, and executioner, then I think you have some serious issues with your moral compass.

Morals? What even is that? Just another marketing gimmick shoved down our throats by society... basically just a set of rules for how people are supposed to act... 🙄
So someone swipes an apple and nobody gives a damn? No one's gonna call them out or hand out a penalty? What then?! You just sit there being all high and mighty and moral... like, "it's fine, I'm just a saint"... unbelievable... 🤣
If you watched that movie *The Virgin Mary*, man... war just breaks you. There are no rules, no courts, no one to hold anyone accountable. You see some guy take advantage of the chaos to assault his neighbor's wife. Then the war ends. No evidence left, no witnesses, nothing. Just gone. And at the end, the guy just shrugs it off like, "Hey, why are you so mad? It was a war." Seriously? What was the husband supposed to do? Act all high and mighty and say, "It’s fine, let’s just be neighbors again"...? Give me a break...

It’s not even about my morals... you just straight up don't get how society actually works or how people function within it...

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Steven Scott6 said:If the big players like the FBI and CIA have learned anything from studying these cases from day one, it’s this: genetics only play such a tiny role compared to how much social injustice can shape an individual. It all comes down to the circumstances... where you grow up, how much money you have, your neighborhood, even the local vibe of the area you live in. That's what actually triggers a revolt... That same sense of revolt shows up in everyone, whether it’s just a tiny spark or a full-blown explosion. Most times, thanks to how things are set up, it stays pretty chill... but man, it can erupt into a total monster if you aren't careful...Look, we’re all criminals to some extent, depending on how much slack society gives us in our jobs, our circles, our families. You don't need to go out and attack people personally. It's about building actual, solid connections... treating folks with respect instead of looking down on them. Help each other out. Make sure everyone actually has a seat at the table based on what they bring to the game. If we did that, there wouldn't even be a need for these profiles...

You're right, but you're totally mixing things up... Is it okay to clap back at the people who were out to get you? Sure, as long as you don't start coming for people who have nothing to do with you or haven't done anything to you. That's the line. Here's a textbook example of an unknown...
Am I capable of taking out the piece of trash that ruined my life? Honestly, if I am, that’s the only thing I care about. I'm laser-focused on that one bastard. Nobody else matters. No matter how far I sink, I'm not wasting my breath on anyone else... I'm going straight for the one who destroyed me. That's the difference between being raised right and being born a psycho...
Stealing works the same way; you’ve got people who have plenty but just want more, then you've got those stealing just to put bread on the table—they take only what they need to survive and nothing else... Now, legally speaking, both types fall under the label of "criminal," but that's a whole different conversation. The FBI's psychology division tries to identify both kinds because, honestly, they're both seen as threats to society. The FBI doesn't care about the "why" or whether an act was justified; their job is strictly about protecting the public. It's like how some guy gets legal protection in court today... nobody can touch him, no matter how much he deserves it or how justified it feels. Society is built to protect itself, period. Whether someone earned it or not doesn't matter... 👍

And all those psychologists and psychiatrists? I couldn't care less about their takes. They’re basically just moral gatekeepers—think more like psycho-cops. Their whole job is to flag any weird behavior, whether it's positive, negative, forced, or just how you were born. Just like the cops track down lawbreakers, these guys exist solely to identify and log anything "socially unacceptable." When you sit down in their office, they don't actually give a damn about your actual problem. They’re looking at *you*. They're judging if you have the capacity to handle your issues in a way that fits society's little box. God forbid they decide you can't... because then the issue isn't the focus anymore. Suddenly, *you* are the problem being scrutinized, even though the whole situation is just a reaction to what you're going through. 😁
Most people are too clueless to even realize this is happening.

Steven Allen9 said:Is there actually a genetic blueprint that makes someone a born criminal, or is it all just shaped by their early years?

Isn't it obvious when you look at these people? You can practically see the criminality written all over their faces, or am I just falling for the media hype?

The way I see it, criminals come from three main roots:
-revenge
-genetics
-childhood trauma

Honestly, what a person turns into mostly comes down to how they were raised—specifically that early childhood period. The way parents treat a kid in those first few years sticks with them forever; it basically "programs" the brain. That’s exactly when those core personality traits get baked in, and they stay dominant for the rest of their lives.

dustyranger64 said:Since poverty and bad environments can push anyone toward crime—and let's face it, violence isn't anything new to humanity—I’m guessing your question is really aiming at the
sociopaths and psychopaths.

Research actually shows they definitely have a biological predisposition. Most studies on convicted heavy murderers and serial killers show that over 50% of them have one disorder or another, a neurological diagnosis, or something similar.

It's also been found that 65% of them have damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. This is characteristic of a condition where their brain was essentially bathed in too much serotonin (that "happy hormone") during the fetal stage, which makes them totally numb to things that would give us pleasure. They need way more intense stimulation.
The frontal lobe houses many of the mechanisms that make us social beings, like self-control, planning, reasoning, and balancing individual needs against social ones.

So yeah, there's a biological predisposition. Then you add early childhood and environment into the mix.
About 85% (we're talking about those heavy hitters, the serial killers, etc.) suffered severe physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood.
That can trigger certain behaviors, leading to what's known as the McDonald's triad—three specific traits of sociopathic behavior: constant bedwetting after age five or six, cruelty to animals, and an obsession with fire and arson. This triad shows up in a lot of serial killers during their youth.

Basically, biology + abuse + a traumatic upbringing = the perfect storm.

I’ve actually seen this firsthand with certain people I know—friends, acquaintances, whatever.
It’s like they’re being pushed toward a new level of delinquency because what would be a huge rush for the average person feels like just another Tuesday to them. They were always the ones standing out in a crowd, pushing more suggestible people into situations they didn't actually want to be in. Now, many of those suggestible types have grown up to have clean records and stable lives, while the others... well, they either ended up dead in some dark alleyway or are currently rotting away in some prison cell.

dustyranger64 said:Since poverty and bad environments can push anyone toward crime—and let's face it, violence isn't anything new to humanity—I’m guessing your question is really aiming at the
sociopaths and psychopaths.

Research actually shows they definitely have a biological predisposition. Most studies on convicted heavy murderers and serial killers show that over 50% of them have one disorder or another, a neurological diagnosis, or something similar.

It's also been found that 65% of them have damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. This is characteristic of a condition where their brain was essentially bathed in too much serotonin (that "happy hormone") during the fetal stage, which makes them totally numb to things that would give us pleasure. They need way more intense stimulation.
The frontal lobe houses many of the mechanisms that make us social beings, like self-control, planning, reasoning, and balancing individual needs against social ones.

So yeah, there's a biological predisposition. Then you add early childhood and environment into the mix.
About 85% (we're talking about those heavy hitters, the serial killers, etc.) suffered severe physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood.
That can trigger certain behaviors, leading to what's known as the McDonald's triad—three specific traits of sociopathic behavior: constant bedwetting after age five or six, cruelty to animals, and an obsession with fire and arson. This triad shows up in a lot of serial killers during their youth.

Basically, biology + abuse + a traumatic upbringing = the perfect storm.

That’s a beautiful, simple way to put it.

vividorca9 said:You have to step outside your own logic to realize that "goodness" isn't some absolute thing and morality isn't set in stone. Saying "killing a person is bad" is just a rule we established as a society; it's not like some deity handed down a decree. Truth isn't absolute. 🧐

Now, from a psychological, sociological, or even medical standpoint, these are definitely sick people because they don't act in accordance with what society expects. They don't behave like the majority. Why is that? I think when you say they're "born that way," you're only halfway right. There's a huge nurture component that can't be ignored.

Regarding the nature side, there are plenty of theories on why they turn out this way. It could be neurological abnormalities (like amygdala dysfunction), excess testosterone, or even the fact that many have either extremely high or extremely low IQs (those with lower IQs struggle more with impulse control, while the high-IQ types often think they're above society because they see the bigger picture). Maybe that part of their character is hereditary—things like aggression 🤷 or poor impulse control.

As for the nurture side, I've done a little reading on serial killers (don't look at me like that, I'm an angel, really 😁), and a lot of them had childhoods filled with confusion, lies, intense violence, or instability—think of a parent who was constantly switching partners, leaving the kid without a stable family structure.

I believe there are pure "nature" types, pure "nurture" types, and a mix of both, but it's incredibly difficult to untangle those two influences to find the actual root cause in any specific case.

I don't buy the idea that there are "pure nature" types. Look, a Pit Bull has a massive instinct to attack another dog, sure, but with the right training, you can change that behavior entirely.

Angela Cox4 said:Honestly, what a person turns into mostly comes down to how they were raised—specifically that early childhood period. The way parents treat a kid in those first few years sticks with them forever; it basically "programs" the brain. That’s exactly when those core personality traits get baked in, and they stay dominant for the rest of their lives.

That's true, but then why does one person take a completely different path even when they face the exact same circumstances?

Hannah White2 said:I’ve actually seen this firsthand with certain people I know—friends, acquaintances, whatever.
It’s like they’re being pushed toward a new level of delinquency because what would be a huge rush for the average person feels like just another Tuesday to them. They were always the ones standing out in a crowd, pushing more suggestible people into situations they didn't actually want to be in. Now, many of those suggestible types have grown up to have clean records and stable lives, while the others... well, they either ended up dead in some dark alleyway or are currently rotting away in some prison cell.

That’s a beautiful, simple way to put it.

I don't buy the idea that there are "pure nature" types. Look, a Pit Bull has a massive instinct to attack another dog, sure, but with the right training, you can change that behavior entirely.

That's true, but then why does one person take a completely different path even when they face the exact same circumstances?

Maybe you're thinking about the brother of that criminal? Look, maybe he just isn't as sensitive to all that stuff—maybe his head stays a bit clearer during those moments of... I don't know, "agony" or whatever you want to call it.

The fact that most people remain blissfully unaware of this reality—and fail to grasp its implications—is a much deeper issue entirely.

This is a genuinely thoughtful piece.
It feels like there is much more we could discuss regarding this subject.

Steven Scott6 said:The fact that most people remain blissfully unaware of this reality—and fail to grasp its implications—is a much deeper issue entirely.

This is a genuinely thoughtful piece.
It feels like there is much more we could discuss regarding this subject.

Seriously, am I the only one here who's totally lost on what you're actually trying to say? 😕

Hannah White2 said:I’ve actually seen this firsthand with certain people I know—friends, acquaintances, whatever.
It’s like they’re being pushed toward a new level of delinquency because what would be a huge rush for the average person feels like just another Tuesday to them. They were always the ones standing out in a crowd, pushing more suggestible people into situations they didn't actually want to be in. Now, many of those suggestible types have grown up to have clean records and stable lives, while the others... well, they either ended up dead in some dark alleyway or are currently rotting away in some prison cell.

That’s a beautiful, simple way to put it.

I don't buy the idea that there are "pure nature" types. Look, a Pit Bull has a massive instinct to attack another dog, sure, but with the right training, you can change that behavior entirely.

That's true, but then why does one person take a completely different path even when they face the exact same circumstances?

But how do you explain people developing antisocial personality disorders when they come from upper-class backgrounds without any major trauma at home or in their neighborhood? Take that unknown case we were discussing—it turns out the guy grew up in a large, pretty standard family. Even with Jeffrey Dahmer, people said he had a totally normal childhood.

One thing about true psychopaths that I just don't get: if you don't derive any pleasure from "normal" life, why bother with antisocial behavior? Why not pick a high-risk job that’s actually productive for society? Is it just the thrill of playing games with the law, or that weird sense of superiority over how society works?🤷

vividorca9 said:But how do you explain people developing antisocial personality disorders when they come from upper-class backgrounds without any major trauma at home or in their neighborhood? Take that unknown case we were discussing—it turns out the guy grew up in a large, pretty standard family. Even with Jeffrey Dahmer, people said he had a totally normal childhood.

One thing about true psychopaths that I just don't get: if you don't derive any pleasure from "normal" life, why bother with antisocial behavior? Why not pick a high-risk job that’s actually productive for society? Is it just the thrill of playing games with the law, or that weird sense of superiority over how society works?🤷

It really comes down to how parents and the surrounding environment handle things. It’s like—okay, maybe this is a stupid example—but if you raise a Pitbull, you're training it specifically *not* to snap at triggers. I don't have enough data or deep psych expertise to give you a textbook answer here. 🙂
Unfortunately, we just had a fresh example of this pop up in Washington, D.C. 😢

vividorca9 said:But how do you explain people developing antisocial personality disorders when they come from upper-class backgrounds without any major trauma at home or in their neighborhood? Take that unknown case we were discussing—it turns out the guy grew up in a large, pretty standard family. Even with Jeffrey Dahmer, people said he had a totally normal childhood.

One thing about true psychopaths that I just don't get: if you don't derive any pleasure from "normal" life, why bother with antisocial behavior? Why not pick a high-risk job that’s actually productive for society? Is it just the thrill of playing games with the law, or that weird sense of superiority over how society works?🤷

That’s the same reason people escalate to hard drugs when light ones do the job just fine.
Or why someone cycles through partners constantly—it's impossible that every single one of them was actually a dud.
I'm no expert on psychopathic brain structures; I'm just talking about delinquency in general based on what I've seen. I've noticed that people with zero empathy tend to shoot to the front, becoming these leaders or icons.

It feels like there's a parallel between our own attempts at "feeling" alive and their stuff—except our impulses (like, I don't know, wanting a quickie in a dressing room or some other public spot) are socially acceptable and don't wreck society as a whole. Their "drug" is destructive to everyone else, so yeah, they basically have to be removed from the equation. 😁

I saw there's a book on forensic psychiatry by some American authors. Anyone here actually read it?

I have personally met and spent considerable time with the very individuals being discussed here. I am talking about cold-blooded killers, rapists, and pedophiles. I must admit, the makeup of such people is quite fascinating. To most people, the motives behind their atrocities seem incomprehensible and completely deranged. Furthermore, many of these criminals are master manipulators. In certain instances, they have even managed to convince psychiatrists and psychologists—who had been observing them for months—of things that were the complete opposite of the truth. In my view, a person isn't born a killer; rather, they become one through a specific convergence of circumstances. Claims about "born killers" and similar tropes are, at least in my humble opinion, created solely for Hollywood movies and the human imagination. As I mentioned, I have spent significant time in the company of criminals. However, when you are face-to-face with them, knowing they have committed monstrous acts that would make the average person gag or feel dizzy, it isn't exactly easy to find common ground for conversation. It is even harder to speak with them without feeling fear. Personally, I believe the greatest mistake one can make is approaching them with fear. They know exactly how to weaponize your terror against you, and if that happens, you have lost the battle before it even begins.
Attempting to build a psychological profile of a criminal without having actual experience with them—as I have had with some—is, in my estimation, a futile waste of precious time.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you for your understanding.

Cold-blooded killers and psychopaths are simply born that way. No amount of social engineering or therapy can turn them into functioning members of society because they lack the fundamental blueprint of a human personality. They are fundamentally different from the rest of us. Sensitive people tend to sense it immediately—as if there’s an entire layer of humanity missing from their core. If they aren't identified early on, they eventually commit horrific atrocities, depending on how much power they manage to accumulate within the system.

Lesser criminals, rapists, and pedophiles might still be recognizable as human beings, even if they are profoundly mentally ill.

I don't necessarily believe people are just born that way. It’s often the fallout from some sort of childhood trauma, maybe starting around age six or seven. I suppose I can somewhat empathize with that impulse to hurt someone—we all have those dark thoughts occasionally—but I just don't understand how they can't seem to keep them under control.

I also find it difficult to wrap my head around those who start killing "just because." I remember reading about this guy who, in his own words, felt his life was just so incredibly monotonous and he had never actually accomplished anything, so one day he just got up and decided to start murdering people.

It's pretty terrifying. And honestly, when you see a criminal on the news, there's always that immediate thought: "Look at that face; you can just tell he's a killer."
Regardless, I

Roger Anderson91 said:I have personally met and spent considerable time with the very individuals being discussed here. I am talking about cold-blooded killers, rapists, and pedophiles. I must admit, the makeup of such people is quite fascinating. To most people, the motives behind their atrocities seem incomprehensible and completely deranged. Furthermore, many of these criminals are master manipulators. In certain instances, they have even managed to convince psychiatrists and psychologists—who had been observing them for months—of things that were the complete opposite of the truth. In my view, a person isn't born a killer; rather, they become one through a specific convergence of circumstances. Claims about "born killers" and similar tropes are, at least in my humble opinion, created solely for Hollywood movies and the human imagination. As I mentioned, I have spent significant time in the company of criminals. However, when you are face-to-face with them, knowing they have committed monstrous acts that would make the average person gag or feel dizzy, it isn't exactly easy to find common ground for conversation. It is even harder to speak with them without feeling fear. Personally, I believe the greatest mistake one can make is approaching them with fear. They know exactly how to weaponize your terror against you, and if that happens, you have lost the battle before it even begins.
Attempting to build a psychological profile of a criminal without having actual experience with them—as I have had with some—is, in my estimation, a futile waste of precious time.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you for your understanding.

I really appreciate the work you're doing. 😍