Women Who Kill by Kimon Iannetta and Reed Hayes Contributors: Anita Beckenstein and Stephen Borisoff
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Women Who Kill by Kimon Iannetta and Reed Hayes Contributors: Anita Beckenstein and Stephen Borisoff This article was initiated by the work of Peter Vronsky, author of the forthcoming book Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters, which explores the history of female murderers and the difficulties in identifying and profiling them.1 As an enhancement to his research, Vronsky interviewed graphologist Kimon Iannetta with an eye toward determining the similarities and differences between male and female killers, based on her assessments of their handwriting. Following the interview Vronsky noted, “Iannetta’s insights into the differences and similarities between the genders was a sobering introduction to the psychology of the female serial killer.” A basic question posed by Vronsky was, “Can you tell the difference between female and male handwriting?” While a few graphologists argue otherwise, we assert that only a reasonable, educated guess can be made in this regard. Despite what we know about “typical” male and female behavior, variations or crossover in the conduct and habits of both sexes make it unscientific to assert with any confidence a writer’s gender from his or her handwriting. Nevertheless, there are generalized differences in the handwriting profiles between male and female killers as well as within the female killer population. Infinite variations in style make it indiscreet to offer what is absolutely male or female. But the handwritings themselves do allow graphologists to capture an unobstructed view of the writer on whom we can focus our examination from bird’s-eye to panoramic proportions. In the broadest sense, the profiling differences between men and women, or between women and other women, seem to relate to elements of style as a function of the killer’s individual personality. That is, their methods of killing could be interpreted as extensions of their very personalities, which may reflect not only who they are but who they wish to be. As men and women settle into society’s cultural expectations, their handwritings give us an opportunity to assess their level of comfort or discomfort in their individual roles. Typically, women still function as the more passive sex, taking on nurturing, caretaking, organizing and administrative responsibilities. As society demands more assertive behavior from men, arrogance, pride and aggression become more generally associated with males. Male serial killers, as pointed out by Vronsky, often murder repeatedly to satisfy lust, seek thrills or wield power over others. They are frequently angry and retaliatory and often act out of a need for reassurance of their power or assertiveness. There are, however, male “crossovers” like Ted Bundy, who worked at a women’s crisis center during his early career as a killer. Although his murders were committed out of deeply rooted resentment which falls into the male style range, he passed himself off as an unthreatening, sensitive co-worker. Crossover female counterpart, Aileen Wuornos, the Florida prostitute swollen with rage and hatred towards men, shot her “Johns” point blank. Wuornos’ shock value was being a woman who killed like a man. Both men and women murderers share a certain level of psychopathic detachment which allows them to pursue the ultimate release of their anger, rage and unfulfilled needs—the killing act itself. Rather common in the handwriting of both male and female killers is the presence of a personal pronoun I that deviates strongly from the copybook model. This letter, symbolic of one’s self-image, is often distorted, twisted, broken, muddied, retraced or otherwise unusual, pointing toward an odd or distorted view of self which, when accompanied by negative facilitators, can augment the urge to kill. (See Forensic Profiling Cards D-1, below.) 1 Vronsky’s previous book, Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters, covers the history and psychology of repeat murderers as well as the investigation of serial homicide. Readers are directed to Vronsky’s website (http://www.russianbooks.org/killers.htm) for more in-depth information regarding his immensely important work. Forensic Profiling Cards D-1 There are of course individual serial killer profiles, but the most significant difference between men and women who kill seems to be in the women’s expert ability to act in a passive-aggressive manner while wearing a carefully crafted persona. Comfortably playing a conventional role and often accepted as “normal,” they blend easily into society. Their nefarious goal then becomes easier to attain and their insidious behavior makes them particularly dangerous. Acting out within their traditional roles, some female killers have a deep hunger for attention. They tend to be emotionally immature, like Karla Homolka and Carol Bundy, and may play the role of “cute little girl,” still trying to capture unmet parental attention by way of their husbands or boyfriends who are part of the murderous equation. This type is identified by Peter Vronsky as “the accomplice.” Generally speaking, these women lack personal strength which allows them to “go along with” a role that is both complementary and pleasing to the significant other who is also involved in the murderous deeds. As implied by their often crowded writing where letters closely hug one another, they may habitually invade other people’s space, showing little or no respect for social or personal boundaries. Before considering individual profiles, it may be pointed out that what is often overwhelmingly evident in the writing of female killers is a stunted, retraced and/or muddied upper zone indicative of immature, underdeveloped or clouded morals. Distorted upper zone shapes are sometimes apparent and are suggestive of a “twisted” outlook, making for ease of justification for criminal actions. The poorly developed or distorted upper zone is generally accompanied by a predominant midzone (usually with considerable retracing) which reflects a limited, here-and-now attitude, a syndrome that restricts vision and may result in ignorance of the likely consequences stemming from the murderous acts. In evaluating the handwritings of women criminals, it is helpful to study weakness and disturbances in the form, movement and arrangement of each writing sample. Disturbances in letter forms show ego problems while hesitations, jerkiness or rigidity of the movement show problems with the flow of libidinal impulses and the spontaneous release of emotions. It may be that there is excessive self- control or, conversely, a deficiency of impulse control. Pressure patterns are often disrupted, showing a disturbance of the person’s basic biological instincts.2 Disturbances in arrangement of the writing on the page or an arrangement that is too perfect show difficulties adapting to the environment and fitting into society as well as poor perspective and self-understanding. Although somewhat unusual, female killers (like some males) may have odd, obsessive sexual thoughts which distort their value systems. Aileen Wuornos and Carol Bundy both harbored a blood-lust rage which obliterated any sense of empathy and moral considerations and facilitated their murderous acts. In other instances the female killer acts out of idiosyncratic or paranoid thinking. In the case of Christine Falling, twisted values resulted from compulsively convoluted thinking, readily evident in her handwriting. Often these writers utilize letters that are uniquely different from the norm. The more abnormal such formations, the more unusual the person’s thinking is likely to be. Whether such thoughts support creativity or eccentricity must be evaluated according to the milieu in which the odd letters are found. Forensic Profiling Cards F-64 “Black Widow” for-profit killer Margaret Rudin was exceedingly organized and meticulous when planning the murder of her husband. By contrast, hysterical Betty Broderick was deeply emotional She was so invested in and identified with the life she had constructed with her husband that his rejection spurred her to direct her vengeance outward. While her actions did succeed in putting an end to the one who had rejected her, the eventual result turned that vengeance back onto her in the form of social SUICIDE 2 Caution must be exercised in evaluating pressure patterns when working with other than original writing. Some irregularities in pressure or movement may not show clearly while other signs may appear disrupted when in fact they are due to the copying process. One must also consider the possibility of a defective writing instrument as well as possible health concerns. Women like Susan Smith, who commit infanticide to escape overwhelming parental responsibilities, are themselves childlike, immature and repressed, and possess a limited ability to think beyond the situation at hand. Frozen in pre-adolescence and having little or no critical or evaluative capacities along with poorly developed morals, they can neither understand nor reflect upon solutions to remedy their hopeless feelings of “no way out.” They become desperate and their desperation leads to murder. There are a variety of triggers and motivational factors which influence individual methods and styles of killing. Women living in a family violence scenario of perpetual abuse sometimes kill their abusers. Their character is often forgiving and protective overall. However these very same qualities may ultimately render them victims who eventually break under the pressure of unrelenting abuse, often in self-defense or for their children’s welfare. This subset is not covered in the profiles below, as they do not fit the same general category as those women who kill out of deep seated anger or for self-serving purposes. To reiterate, the most outstanding difference evident in women who kill, as opposed to their male counterparts, rests in their ability to fabricate a methodically crafted persona, a façade of cultivated charm and seductive, ingratiating behavior. Male killers seem to be much less interested in role playing and more drawn to sex as a tool for domination.They often need to avenge their “honor” and pride.