Serial Killer, Responsible Psychopath: an Essay on Criminal Policy Concerning Serial Murders

Serial murder is definitely a crime in the criminal law. According to Iran’s Penal Code, it is considered as a multiple murder under a retaliation, blood money and discretionary punishments. In criminal responses against it, the criminal justice systems have different sanctions while dealing with it. Serial killers are not psychologically healthy while bearing criminal responsibility. However, the extent of their mental disease (psychosis) will invoke insanity defense. In Iran, serial killers never manage to use the insanity defense; therefore, they have always been sentenced to the maximum penalty of the law. The same procedure – except in rare cases –occurs in other countries. In fact, in serial murder, due to the type and the severity of the offenses committed and caused by the widespread fear and death in the community, a stricter criminal policy has always been adopted toward a serial killer.