Due to several social factors like improvement in communication, shifts in social and cultural norms, a decrease in violent crimes, and an increase in criminal justice reforms there are fewer serial killers today than there were in the 1970s and 1980s. Social factors are not the only reason behind the decrease in serial killers. An improvement in forensic science methods like DNA testing and technology, has also caused the decline in serial killer numbers. Forensic technology has made it simpler for authorities to identify, track, and apprehend serial killers before they become serial killers. Additionally, forensic science has helped to resolve unsolved crimes and provide justice to the victims and their families. A great example of this is the Golden State Killer case.
The Golden State Killer is an infamous criminal who, between 1974 and 1986, terrorized California, having committed at least 13 homicides, 50 rapes, and 120 burglaries. Due to the Golden State Killer’s thorough planning and execution of his crimes, it was extremely difficult to capture him. He frequently disguised his identity and avoided leaving fingerprints by using gloves, a mask, or other disguises. Additionally, he often changed the location and method for his crimes, which made it challenging for the authorities to connect his crimes and create a clear profile. He also kept tabs on the police, often mocking them for their inability to catch him. That was until his sudden stop in 1986.
It’s unclear why the Golden State Killer stopped but if he had continued, there would have been more evidence and clues for the police to find, which could have led to his capture sooner. Additionally, if he had continued to commit crimes in a wider area, he would have drawn the attention and resources of more law enforcement organizations. Given this, the Golden State killer was able to avoid capture until 2018 when he was identified as Joseph James DeAngelo thanks to advances in DNA testing. (323)
The promptness of your first sentence is nice because it gets straight to the facts that have decreased the number of serial killers today with modern tech. When you say that the uptick in information has enabled police to catch serial killers before they become serial killers mean that they have them on such a short leash so to speak that they will only be able to commit one murder or a few and will never have the opportunity to kill a dozen people like the Golden State Killer did? Let me know.