InsaneJournal

257 // criminology class // open to all
[ Another day, another criminology class. Even though this is his eleventh class, Reid is noticeably nervous today. Sensitive subject. Also a potentially fuller class than usual, thanks to the school fair. ]

Today marks the beginning of a series of lectures on mental illnesses and delusions common to serial killers, starting with schizophrenia. Those of you who weren’t around for our neuro-psychology class on day 247 or who need a refresher course are welcome to grab handouts with the relevant information. It’s not necessary, but I recommend that you study up on basic neurology as these classes can get a little technical?

Thank you.

HISTORICAL SERIAL KILLER – Herbert Mullin

Mullin was born in Salinas, California but was raised in Santa Cruz. His father, a World War II veteran, was strict but not abusive. He frequently discussed his heroic war activities and showed his son how to use a gun at an early age. Mullin had numerous friends at school and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by his classmates. However, shortly after graduating from high school, one of his best friends was killed in a car accident, and Mullin was devastated. He built a shrine to his deceased friend in his bedroom. Later he expressed fears that he was homosexual, even though he had a longtime girlfriend at the time.

By 1972, Mullin was 25 and had moved back in with his parents in Santa Cruz. By now he was hearing voices in his head that told him an earthquake was imminent, and that only through murder could he save California. Mullin's birthday, April 18, was the anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which he thought was very significant.
Mullin believed that the war in Vietnam had produced enough American deaths to forestall earthquakes as a sort of blood sacrifice to nature, but that with the war winding down so much by late 1972, he would need to start killing people in order to have enough deaths to keep the earthquake away. On October 13, 1972, Mullin beat a homeless man to death with a baseball bat. The man, 55, had been hitchhiking and Mullin struck him down after tricking him into looking at the car engine. Mullin was to claim later that the victim was Jonah from the Bible, and that he had sent Mullin a telepathic message saying, "Pick me up and throw me over the boat. Kill me so that others will be saved." The man's body was found the next day.

The next victim was Mary Guilfoyle, 24, a Cabrillo College student who was running late for an interview. She was picked up by Mullin while hitchhiking. Herbert stabbed her through the chest and the back. He then dissected her body and scattered her remains alongside a hillside road. Only four days later, on a Thursday in November, Mullin claimed his third victim when he went to confess his sins. In a delusional state, he believed the priest, Father Henri Tomei, wanted to volunteer to be his next sacrifice to keep away the earthquakes. He beat, kicked, and stabbed the priest to death. Father Tomei bled to death in the confessional while a parishioner watched Mullin run away. The witness description did not help the police.

[ Wiki ] 

PSYCHOLOGY — Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a breakdown in thinking and poor emotional responses. Common symptoms include delusions, such as the feeling that someone is out to get you; seeing things that are not there; disorganized thinking; a lack of emotion and a lack of motivation. Schizophrenia causes significant social and work problems. Symptoms begin typically in young adulthood and about 0.3–0.7% of people are affected during their lifetime. Diagnosis is based on observed behavior and the person's reported experiences.

Genetics, early environment, psychological and social processes appear to be important contributory factors. Some recreational and prescription drugs appear to cause or worsen symptoms. The many possible combinations of symptoms have triggered debate about whether the diagnosis represents a single disorder or a number of seperate syndromes. Despite the origin of the term from the Greek roots skhizein ("to split") and phrēn ("mind"), schizophrenia does not imply a "split personality", or "multiple personality disorder"—a condition with which it is often confused in public perception. Rather, the term means a "splitting of mental functions", reflecting the presentation of the illness.

An important thing to note — and I really can’t stress this enough — is that although schizophrenia is relatively common among serial killers, the illness itself does not encourage violent or homicidal behaviour. Many schizophrenics also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, and without proper care it is not uncommon that they self-medicate with drugs or alcohol which in turn can make the condition worsen. Social problems such as long-term unemployment, poverty and homelessness are common and the average life expectancy of people with the disorder is 12 to 15 years less than those without. This is a direct result of increased physical health problems and a higher suicide rate.
It’s the difficulty of the living situation itself, not the disorder that drive these people to kill.

[ Wiki ]


PRACTICAL APPLICATION

[ There is no practical application for this class. Instead he’ll put focus on the Q&A section — questions are especially encouraged this time around. ]

Q&A

[ A Q&A thread can be found here for all your question-based needs! There is also a suggestions box available — just note that your character is dropping a note in the box in the subject header and it will be brought up during the next class! ]