Eric W Hickey Quotes

“Serial murders are a bit like natural disasters: in the scheme of things they are quite rare, but when they happen they demand our attention. They interest us for several reasons, but especially because they are so dramatically threatening, and they profoundly challenge our sense of our own everyday safety.

[Todd R. Clear, Foreword]”
― Eric W. Hickey, Serial Murderers and their Victims

“Psychopaths are generally viewed as aggressive, insensitive, charismatic, irresponsible, intelligent, dangerous, hedonistic, narcissistic and antisocial. These are persons who can masterfully explain another person's problems and what must be done to overcome them, but who appear to have little or no insight into their own lives or how to correct their own problems. Those psychopaths who can articulate solutions for their own personal problems usually fail to follow them through. Psychopaths are perceived as exceptional manipulators capable of feigning emotions in order to carry out their personal agendas. Without remorse for the plight of their victims, they are adept at rationalization, projection, and other psychological defense mechanisms. The veneer of stability, friendliness, and normality belies a deeply disturbed personality. Outwardly there appears to be nothing abnormal about their personalities, even their behavior. They are careful to maintain social distance and share intimacy only with those whom they can psychologically control. They are noted for their inability to maintain long-term commitments to people or programs.”
― Eric W. Hickey, Serial Murderers and their Victims

“According to a 2000 New York Times study of 100 "rampage" mass murders, where 425 people were killed and 510 injured, the killers:

1. Often have serious mental health issues
2. Are not usually motivated by exposure to videos, movies, or television
3. Are not using alcohol or other drugs at the time of the attacks
4. Are often unemployed
5. Are sometimes female
6. Are not usually Satanists or racists
7. Are most often white males although a few are Asian or African American
8. Sometimes have college degrees or some years of college
9. Often have military experience
10. Give lots of pre-attack warning signals
11. Often carry semiautomatic weapons obtained legally
12. Often do no attempt escape
13. Half commit suicide or are killed by others
14. Most have a death wish (Fessenden, 2000)”
― Eric W. Hickey, Serial Murderers and their Victims

“Some mass murderers, so deeply depressed, become schizophrenic or psychotic. Others suffer with severe anxiety and personality disorders. These are not rational people at the time of the murders even when their behaviors are calculated and decisive. Many of them are not legally insane but suffer from severe psychological dysfunctioning as a result of both chronic and acute stress.”
― Eric W. Hickey, Serial Murderers and their Victims

“The social impact of mass murders tends to be restricted to the communities in which they occurred, Increased security at schools, office buildings, and shopping malls is the usual response, including improved social services to better identify potentially dangerous individuals. However, the track record in predicting criminal behavior thus far has been dismal. Recognizing potential mass murderers is usually a matter of hindsight; we are quick to attach motivating factors and personality defects to offenders once they have vented themselves on their victims.”
― Eric W. Hickey, Serial Murderers and their Victims