Catching killers with killers.

We have hit a wall with this investigation. There are no eyewitnesses, no CCTV footage, no DNA and no clear pattern. We have nothing really. All we have is facts. Puzzle pieces that are so different and the same they cannot be put together. Lines that are so messy the dots cannot be connected.

All we have is facts.

The first body came into the lab, and we started investigating, then the second then the third until it reached nine. What was the hardest of all is that there was no pattern. The locations where the bodies were found, method of death, bruises and marks where all different. They had little in common. Sometimes the wrists were bound and bruised and sometimes not. In other cases, the victims where choked or also wrist bound. Then they were choked and hit. All of the victims are over 18 or under 24, but not all are college students. All of the victims had a piece of their hair removed. Other times it was similar and then the next strike a combination of everything or less simple like the first time. It was very confusing.

We had no choice we had to use our last resort. We had to go to her…

Emma Lysandra Jensen. She studied criminology and was a private investigator for a few years then became a professor. She solved many cases and brought many people to justice. One day she just snapped - her perspective of justice changed and she started to kill. She killed 41 people – assassinated actually. The victims ranged from rapists without trial, crooked lawyers, corrupt prosecutors and scheming police men. She cut of their pinkie fingers as symbol to the promise they broke of not upholding the law.

Now dearest Emma is in a high-security prison where her every move is watched until the end of her days.

In her glass cage like a reptile in a terrarium she lies on her bed and reads a red-covered-book. George Orwell – 1984. She looks up when she hears our footsteps approaching. The whole room was dedicated to this specimen of a prisoner. Her cell is scattered with books and cold-case files – her greatest entertainment and only comfort. There are a few odd pot plants outside her cell. No shortening of sentence or moving of prison is allowed. Gourmet cooking, plants or books is the offerings given to the scared goddess locked up in her realm.

“Ah! It is my favorite visitors!” She looks up from her book, “Detective Shepard and Hartnell.”

“Emma, we are your only visitors.” She had a good sense of humor at least.

“I know, that is why you are my favorite. What can I do for you lovely gentleman?”

“We have a case that we are struggling with. It’s a psychopath. First one in a long time, but every time we investigate, we hit a wall. Here are the files.”

The compartment is opened, and files placed inside then slid to her side of the cell. This is only bridge between her world and ours.

She takes the files and starts paging through. Pausing at every photograph of the victims found.

“Do you want to know why there are so few psychotic killings in this day and age detectives?”

“Indulge us.” Detective Shepard lets her talk. He tries to learn as much as possible when he can.  

The Panopticon was designed by Jeremy Bentham. It is a circular building of prison cells with the observation tower at the center. The tower can see all prisoners, but the prisoners cannot see the tower or the other side of the prison cells. Since the 1980’s serial killings have decreased all thanks to our wonderful well-structured, generously thought-out panoptic society. So yes, with more technology and making killers easier to hunt there is less murders. There is less, but not zero. So, the few that there are you struggle to catch since you don’t have a lot of practice… Do you follow or should I explain slowly again?

“What does the design of a prison have anything to do with the decline of psychotic killings?” Was this even going anywhere? Or was she stalling for opportunity to toy and stall with us? She did not even look up as she continued explaining and started arranging the photographs on the floor of the deceased victims.

“This architectural design was made with the hope to further progress the efficiency of prisons, schools, hospitals and factories. It also serves as a symbol of justice. This concept has inspired George Orwell’s book - 1984. The structure had its benefits in the physical sense, but also represents absolute power and absolute discipline. The Panopticon’s structure applies to society that someone is always watching. This presents the idea that behaviors, speech and even thought can be monitored is nothing short of driving people into paranoia.”

“So, are you saying the idea that someone is watching has prevented people from killing? It makes sense, but there were not enough eyes to see this killer.” Shepard looked a bit unconvinced with a frown.

“Yes, in a sense also due to the advancement of technology fueling this Panopticon ideal. This is where philosophy, literature, law, freedom, slavery, industrialism, capitalism and architecture meet. They all sit together at their round table each having their own purpose, but together tied to the Panopticon’s center. All of the sudden these things that is so different are all brothers.”

“If this concept is so brilliant, why can’t we catch this guy?” I was a bit frustrated with this speech.

“This Panopticon principle is not supposed to serve you… it’s supposed to enslave you…” her photograph arrangement of dead girls where how split into two sides. “My dear detectives… yes, you may be a born bloodhound with a pedigree, but with no hunting experience you are nothing more than a house pet. It is a wonderful problem almost. The floor is so clean people are starting to slip on it.”

“Great presentation on architecture and history, but can we please get back to the case?”

“Yes, yes almost done…but after all, only a meagre one percent of homicide is serial killings. People who murder has a motive so there is a list of suspects, but what about serial killers? Serial killers are also a tricky puzzle since not all are the same. Many have many things in common and then not at all. The motive is the clue to who is the murder. Murder must serve a purpose and so will serial killings. A need has to be fulfilled.”

“What do you mean?” Now she did not make complete sense a moment ago things almost made sense.

“You are very aware that to catch a killer you need to think like a killer, but why try on a shoe that does not fit?” She looked like a snake as she said those words speaking from her dark and twisted side of the world.

“We are fine at profiling and summing up people at a glance just give us something we can use to catch this guy.” Shepard is trying to defend us the best he can, but she is right. It’s because we don’t understand the nature of the killings that we can’t catch the culprit.

She moves to her bed as it was the only area not covered in pictures and files. With her arms crossed she looks down to the photos like a queen looking down from her throne to her subjects.

“This is my conclusion… however you need to put one and one together. I am a teacher by nature not a fortune teller with a crystal ball. Don’t get lazy to think a little. Dear Shepard is open to learning since he is still young, but you Hartnell should also participate a bit.”

“Fine” this was the only way the case could move forward.

“So first of all are young women. The victims are over of 18 and under 24 years old. So what does that tell us gentleman?”

“Most of them are college students, but not all.” I tried to sound impatient.

“Correct. Except not all of them are college students, but the victims of killer A are all college students. Yes, we have two killers on our hands not one. Psychotic killings can be experimental and, but this is not the same person. So, in other words killer A has to be part of the college in some way. My best guess would be someone who a student is not otherwise all the victims would most likely have been all from the same college. Professors or lectures can travel to other campuses for conferences. Most likely none of the victims are the professor’s students or he would be a suspect. Most colleges are close to each other for rival sports and such. To determine which college the professor teaches at look at nearby neighborhoods. Also look at dates of the conferences and murders. Then there is the question of the piece of hair cut off. In Eastern as well as Western culture women’s hair is a symbol of beauty, wisdom and strength. The killer could possibly know the importance. The most likely subjects being taught would be history or maybe psychology. It was most likely someone new or transferred. Lastly it would not be a scrawny professor, but someone strong enough to carry a dead body through the woods.”

We stood there in shock. Once again, she did not fail to perform, but she always asks for very detailed photos and files. She made her deductions so quickly…

“How can you be so sure that the killer has something to do with collage?”

“True it is an estimated assumption, but prove me right not wrong? Shepard, please fill in the blanks.” There was a moment of silence. She is trying to convince us to reason why she would be correct.

“Fine, the killer is most likely associated with a college since most of the victims are from a college. If there are no open days gaining access to the premises would be difficult. To the few victims who are not from collage probably have friends in collage. It could have been a student, but sports don’t take place now and they are planned further apart. Since the bodies were found in the woods or close to a river and the victims footprints was not found. The bodies have most likely been transported to the sites. Most students don’t have cars. The probability goes down again since if staying on campus there would be no need. Also is living in a dorm coming back late at night after a girl was murdered would raise suspicion.”

“Good… not bad…”

“Okay and the ‘second’ murderer?”

“Then there is killer B. The second murder… an opportunity presents itself and it is taken. After two victims are found the case is no longer homicide, but a serial killing. So our second killer starts with his own spree. Adding and subtracting details and elements from killer A while he also kills, but constantly in his original way. This random order and unpredictability is confusing and makes the case harder to solve. If our second killer did not interfere the case would most likely already be solved. There is however one dead giveaway.”

“Which is what?” Shepard was on the edge of his seat every word she spoke he came closer.

She sighs… a bit disappointed that she is taking the lead.

“Okay let me ask this. When the public is informed of a murder, they do not give extreme detail. They can say the victim was stabbed or shot and how many times, BUT they do not tell you WHERE they were stabbed or shot. The public was most likely never informed how, when and where the victims were killed. They gave the names and basic background.  Then there is the hair. Maybe it was mentioned that hair has been taken, but never where the hair was taken, how it was removed, how much or with what… the question is how could killer B know such extreme details of a case enough to copy it?”

There was a shocking silence. The realization started to sink in. Sinking in like a blood-stained cloth soaking up the fluid of life. It couldn’t be, but it had to be…

“It’s someone on the force…” I was a meagre whisper, but the who companions knew the truth, so they heard me.

“After all, why would the case magically not make any progress? Evidence can be added or tampered with, and misdirection can be easy.” She said it so simply. This information didn’t hurt her she of all people knew the pain of the one’s trusted is the party that betrays. She doesn’t look shocked or surprised only distance like the moment we came in. In moment before her face lit up when she saw company that is only here when they need her.

My breathing is deeper and more audible now. “Who could it be? It could be anyone?”

“Only you detective could know the answer. You know your force better than I do of course. What happened after the first two murders? Was there anything or anyone standing out?”

I stood there chewing on my thoughts. Looking at my shoes I just could not come up with an answer. I look up Emma in a hope of some kind, but she is looking at Shepard. He is looking at all the piles of books and files. She notices me looking at her and makes solid eye contact then again with only her eyes glances to Shepard. In that moment he saw her gaze shifting from me to him. Now we were all having this award stare down.

She tilts her head to the side “Why do you look so guilty, Shepard? You didn’t do anything wrong did you?” She coos this gently, but her eyes are icy cold.

Shepard looks disgusted then the fire in his eyes ignites and he bolts for the door.

It was as if the floor gave way under me in the moment of realization once again that it is always the people we trust. My whole world turns, but suddenly around the corner a big security guard punches him out cold with a brutal swing.”

“Thanks Frank!” She says it so casually.

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t until now” she winks as if she knew from the start.