It may seem like serial killers strike at random – but they’re likely to attack victims who resemble their mums, a new study confirms.
Experts have revealed there may be some method to the way notorious murderers such as Ted Bundy and Ed Kemper selected their targets.
They likely picked women who had similar facial features to their mothers thanks to lingering childhood trauma, they explained.
To help police link ‘cold case’ victims, the scientists have developed a forensic intelligence tool that works by analysing facial appearance.
It could pick up ‘subtle facial geometry’ shared by victims that may have otherwise been missed, the team from Murdoch University said.
‘Studies have shown that features of the victimology such as age, sex, class and elements of physical appearance do influence an offender’s choice of victim,’ they wrote in The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles.
‘It is also common…that many serial killers seek out victims with similar physical characteristics to an opposite-sex parent or close family member who inflicted childhood trauma.
‘This has been noted in criminal cases wherein offenders will seek out those who represent a previous person who has wronged or hurt them.’
Experts have revealed there may be some method to the way notorious murderers such as Ted Bundy (pictured) select their targets
Some of Ted Bundy’s victims. Top row (L-R): Kimberly Leach, Caryn Campbell, Margaret Bowman, Debbie Kent. Middle row (L-R): Laura Aime, Roberta Parks, Georgann Hawkins, Donna Manson. Bottom row (L-R): Lynda Healy, Janice Ott, Denise Naslund, Susan Rancourt
Observers and researchers have previously noted an eerie similarity between Ted Bundy’s victims and his mother, Louise Bundy, and his first serious girlfriend.
His targets often had long, centre-parted hair, similar to the hairstyle worn by his mother when he was young.
His decision to target these women may have been triggered by a traumatic childhood incident, experts say, as he was raised believing his mother was his sister.
He only discovered the truth about his biological mother later in his teens.
‘Theodore Bundy has been reported as having a proclivity for a particular hair colour (brunette victims), notably with their hair parted in the middle,’ the researchers wrote.
Meanwhile Ed Kemper, known as the ‘Co-ed Killer’, had an intense, abusive and emasculating relationship with his mother.
He openly admitted that his murders of similar-looking female college students were, in his mind, attempts to ‘kill his mother over and over again’.
‘While these similarities may appear clear to the casual observer, and make for useful layperson comparisons in the media, for them to be useful in investigations an element of scientific rigor is required,’ the researchers said.
Observers and researchers have previously noted an eerie similarity between Ted Bundy’s victims and his mother, Louise Bundy (pictured)
A portrait of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach (left) who was a victim of serial killer Ted Bundy. Laura Ann Aime (right) was also killed by the notorious murderer
To help police link ‘cold case’ victims, the scientists have developed a forensic intelligence tool that works by analysing facial appearance
Their new software works by analysing 55 facial measurements from photographs, allowing researchers to compare faces ‘more reliably than ever before’.
This includes the corners of the eyes, edges of the lips, chin and nose tip.
‘These measurements could be used to find differences or similarities in the facial structure of victims, even with imperfect photos,’ lead author Professor Brendan Chapman said.
He explained the tool has the potential to be automated with artificial intelligence.
‘An automated system could screen large numbers of victim images quickly and reliably, giving investigators valuable leads in cases where evidence is scarce,’ he said.
‘While this technique will never replace DNA evidence, it can flag potential links between victims in cases where DNA doesn’t exist or has degraded. It gives investigators a new starting point.’
