23 Physical Abnormalities of Serial Killers

Part of my research for my true crime project includes reading studies about serial killers—both male and female murderers, even though I’m concentrating on the latter—and much of the information I’ve uncovered won’t make it into the book. In one such study, Joel Norris PhD points to 23 physical abnormalities of serial killers.

To add validity to his research, Joel Norris includes case studies in his book, Serial Killers.

Although numerous expert opinions can vary, predicting whether someone will or will not take the plunge into serial killing isn’t a black-and-white issue. We need to consider numerous factors, such as psychological, neurological, environmental, social, frontal lobe/prefrontal cortex damage, and/or chemical imbalances in the brain.

Keep in mind, our actions aren’t defined by physicality alone. The following 23 physical abnormalities of serial killers are one small piece of a greater overall puzzle. The totality of which supports the foundation for the emergence of a multiple murderer.

Once you read this list I guarantee you’ll look for these abnormalities in everyone you meet. Don’t panic if you can check one of these boxes for yourself, spouse, child, relative, or close friend. As I said, physical abnormalities of serial killers is only part of the equation. It’s difficult to predict who may or may not act upon inherent violent tendencies.

That’s the beautiful thing about free will. Even if we are predisposed to serial killing, we have the power to live a good, clean life without resorting to murder. For whatever reason—nature vs. nurture—some of us just don’t.

23 Physical Abnormalities of Serial Killers

1. Bulbous fingertips
2. Electric wire hair that won’t comb down
3. Very fine hair that is soon awry after combing
4. Hair whorls
5. Large head circumference (outside the norm of 1.5 cm or less)
6. Epicanthus—upper and lower eyelids join at the nose (the point of union is deeply covered or partially covered)
7. Hyperteliorism—larger than normal distant between tear ducts or lower than normal distance between tear ducts
8. Low-seated ears—the top point where the ear joins the head is lower than the corner of the eye and nose bridge—lowered by .5 cm or greater than .5 cm
9. Malformed ears
10. Adherent earlobes—lower edge of ear is extended upward and backward toward the crown of the head
11. Asymmetrical ears
12. Very soft or very pliable ears
13. High-steepled palate
14. Roof of mouth is definitely steepled or flat and narrow
15. Forward tongue with deep ridges
16. Speckled tongue with either smooth or rough spots
17. Curved fifth finger—marked curve toward the other fingers or a slight claw-like curve toward other fingers
18. Singular transverse palmer crease aka Simian crease (a single crease extending across the palm of the hand, formed by the fusion of the two palmar creases, known in palmistry as the “heart line” and “head line”)
19. Third toe longer than second toe or equivalent in length
20. Partial syndactyly (webbing) of two middle toes
21. Larger than normal gap between first and second toes
22. Teeth abnormalities
23. Abnormalities in dermatoglyphics (skin texture)

Norris claimed if 3-5 of these physical abnormalities are present, it’s indicative of a genetic brain disorder.

In studying serial killers Norris found many had suffered head trauma, either from childhood injury or accidents in later life. He viewed the high frequency of head trauma as advancing the chance of brain damage, thereby increasing the likelihood of violent behavior.

But again, these factors alone don’t cause murderous behavior. More likely, behavioral issues were already present.

In Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters by Peter Vronsky, the author writes:

“Serial killers frequently test positive for abnormal levels of chemicals in their body associated with depression or compulsive behavior, such as monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serotonin.

“Other biochemical or physiological conditions include cortical underarousal, EEG abnormalities, the presence of an extra Y chromosome (the 47×44—extra Y disorder) and high levels of kryptopyrrole—“hidden fiery oil” (or bile)—a rare biochemical marker sometimes found in severe mental dysfunctions: a natural human organic metabolite with a chemical structure resembling man-made substances similar to LSD.”

A word about serotonin…

The effect of serotonin—a chemical designed to hinder the secretion of stomach acid—serves as a neurotransmitter in brain functionality and influences the central nervous system. Serotonin subdues aggressive behavior.

So, increasing serotonin levels can bring about a reduction in violence. Some serial offenders lack the transmission of serotonin, which may explain their aggressive nature.

An overwhelming number of serial killers—both male and female—experienced traumatic childhoods in the form of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.

You might say, lots of children are abused and they don’t grow up to be monsters. True! But—severely abused children are more apt to develop psychological issues that implode, and from the ashes rise a serial killer.

Psychopathy, for example, can develop in infancy.

An infant’s emotional and physical attachment to its mother (or lack thereof) can determine lifelong behavior.

Ever hear the stories of an adopted child who lashed out and killed his/her entire family in a murderous rage?

When arrested, the troubled teen swore s/he loved the family. That’s because the adoptive parents did nothing wrong. In fact, they welcomed their new son/daughter into a loving environment. Unfortunately, though, the damage had already been done before the ink dried on the adoption papers.

The Strange Situation Classification (SSC) experiment of the 1970’s focused on the qualative nature of the infant-mother attachment relationship from age 11 months to 18 months, up to 24 months. Researchers observed the child in eight different scenarios, lasting three minutes each.

(1) Mother, baby, and experimenter (the first step only lasted less than one minute).

(2) Mother and baby alone.

(3) A stranger joins the mother and infant.

(4) Mother leaves baby and stranger alone.

(5) Mother returns and stranger leaves.

(6) Mother leaves; infant left completely alone.

(7) Stranger returns.

(8) Mother returns and stranger leaves.

Mary Ainsworth identified three main attachment styles: secure (type B), insecure avoidant (type A), and insecure ambivalent/resistant (type C). She concluded that these attachment styles were the result of early interactions with the mother. A fourth attachment style known as “disorganized” was later identified.

Securely attached children comprised the majority of the sample in Ainsworth’s (1971, 1978) studies. Such children felt confident that the attachment figure would be available to meet their needs. They used the attachment figure as a safe base to explore the environment; they also sought out the attachment figure in times of distress.

Insecure avoidant children did not orientate to their attachment figure while investigating the environment. These children likely had a caregiver who was insensitive and rejecting of their needs (Ainsworth, 1979). The attachment figure also withdrew from helping the child with difficult tasks (Stevenson-Hinde, & Verschueren, 2002) and often became unavailable during times of emotional distress.

Insecure resistant children adopted an ambivalent behavioral style toward the attachment figure. The child exhibited clingy and dependent behavior, but rejected the attachment figure when engaged in interaction. This child failed to develop any feelings of security. And so, they exhibited difficulty moving away from the attachment figure to explore novel surroundings. When distressed, soothing the child was next to impossible, because they couldn’t be comforted by the attachment figure.

Does any of this mean you shouldn’t adopt a child? Absolutely not. Remember, we’re looking at individual puzzle pieces that contribute to a much larger picture.

The Budding Serial Killer

Norris believed a budding serial killer has no free will. He could no more stop the urge to murder as a heroine addict can say no to a fix.

Perhaps he’s right.

At least a dozen names spring to mind—male serial killers who were disgusted by their murderous acts. Some even turned themselves into police, as Ed Kemper did, because that was the only way they could stop.

An individual teetering on the edge of becoming a serial killer is akin to a dormant volcano. Beneath an often-bland exterior hides a psyche in turmoil, reliving the terror of psychological and emotional abuse by the hands of someone he or she should’ve been able to trust.

They might be epileptic or have a more serious brain injury, but they’ve managed to hide their symptoms for most of their life.

At some point, though, a sight, sound, or even a smell will trigger the puzzle pieces to converge into a critical mass, and the trolling phase begins. It’s no longer a matter of, will they kill? The question becomes, who will be their first victim?

The same pathology does not exist for female serial killers. Unlike males, they don’t experience the classic seven stages. Once she decides to kill you, she won’t change her mind.