A killer is an individual who takes the life of a person or animal. The term is often used in the context of murder, but can also be applied to non-fatal acts of violence. The word can be found in the English dictionary as a noun and verb, with different meanings depending on the context of use. The word is also used in slang, especially in the United States, to mean something that is severe or powerful. For example, someone might say that a particular food was “killer” or that a person was a real “killer.”

The earliest documented serial killings date back to the 71st century BC, when Locusta poisoned several members of Emperor Nero’s family. Other well-known serial killers include the Medici family of Renaissance Italy, who murdered numerous relatives and friends for financial gain; and the 15th century French baron Gilles de Rais, known as Bluebeard, who killed his wives for power and money.

Serial killers are a worldwide phenomenon, and there are many theories about why they do what they do. Some experts believe that they are a result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Others believe that they are the result of a specific event or series of events in a person’s life, such as child abuse. It is also possible that some people are predisposed to serial killing and then triggered by an external force, such as a tragedy or loss.

Experts have classified serial killers into four categories, but it is not uncommon for a murderer to fall into multiple categories. The first category is the hedonistic killer, who kills for the pleasure of it. This type of killer is typically mistreated or abused as a child and seeks to overcome feelings of insecurity and rage. Hedonistic killers may torture their victims and may bind or sexually assault them.

The second type of serial killer is the power/control killer, who kills to gain a feeling of control over their victim. This type of killer is often motivated by a need to be dominant in a relationship or at work. They can be motivated by anger or a desire to feel invincible, and they usually seek out victims who have some characteristic that makes them superior. They can be male or female, and they are more likely to be older than the average age of their victim.

The final type of serial killer is the revenge killer, who kills to avenge real or perceived wrongs in their lives. This type of killer may kill a person because they disliked them, or because they stole from them, or because of some other slight or injustice. This type of killer is also known as a scapegoat, and may replace the original perpetrator of the crime with a new victim. Black Widow killers are a type of revenge killer, and they may murder their spouses for insurance benefits. There are five ecotypes of killer whale: resident orcas, Bigg’s orcas, transient orcas, offshore orcas, and North Atlantic Type 1. Resident and transient killer whales tend to be larger than Bigg’s or offshore orcas, with distinct white eye patches and a visible saddle on their dorsal fin.