How are serial murderers defined?

• A. Kill four or more victims on separate occasions
• B. Kill four or more victims in a single incident
• C. Kill three victims in spree
• D. Kill one victim at a time

Answer: (A)

Serial murder is defined by multiple victims across separate incidents with a cooling-off period between killings. That pause between events is what distinguishes serial killers from other types, such as mass murder (four or more victims in a single incident) and spree murder (multiple victims across locations with little or no cooling-off period). Therefore, the statement that four or more victims on separate occasions best fits the definition. Keep in mind that some sources vary on the minimum number, but the essential idea is multiple victims over time with breaks between murders, which this option captures.