Serial killers have long careers and are often difficult to interview because they are rare (Johnston, 2012). There are different types of female serial killers and different things motivate them. This begs the question: what are the different types and causes of female serial killers, and how do they target their victims? Background There are many different definitions of a serial killer, but the official FBI definition of a serial killer in 2010 is: "the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender, during events distinct” (“FBI”, 2010). Female serial killers are rare, but among the most famous are DESCRIBE Beverly Awitt and Rosemary West (McIvor, 2004). Aileen Wuornos is a famous American serial killer. Wuornos was convicted of murdering six men (Arrigo, 2004). There are fewer female serial murderers than men, but their careers last longer because they use subtle killing methods (Johnston, 2012). Female serial killers often know their victims and their killing methods are secret (Frei, Völlm, & Dittmann, 2006). However, the most commonly used methods are poisoning, drowning, stabbing, suffocation and shooting (Taylor, Lambeth, Green, Bone, Cahillane, 2012). Only a few female serial killers use firearms (Frei et al., 2006). Men kill their victims in a shooting, but there are patterns of killing (Petherick, Kennedy, & Homant, 2005). Other methods used by the men include strangulation, torture, and the use of weapons (Interviewing Serial Killers, n.d.). control the killers, who kill to demonstrate their power over ...... middle of paper ...... y Today. Retrieved January 23, 2014 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-equation/201205/female-serial-killersMcIvor, G. (2004) Women who offend. London, GBR: Jessica Kingsley PublishersPetherick, W., Kennedy, D., Homant, R. (2005). Serial crime: Theoretical and practical issues of behavioral profiling. Burlington, MA, USA: Academic Press Schechter, H. (2003). The Serial Killer documents: the who, what, where, how and why of the world's most terrifying murderers. Random House LLC. Schurman-Kauflin, D. (2000) New predator: profiles of female serial killers. New York, NY: Algora PublishingTaylor, S., Lambeth, D., Green, G., Bone, R., & Cahillane, M.A. (2012). Cluster analysis examination of serial killer profiling categories: A bottom-up approach. Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, 9(1), 30-51. Ebsco extract