"Do we really know how many predators/serial killers are active in the USA, at any given time"? There are estimates by the FBI of 50 to 75. These estimates are very conservative for many reasons, imo. During an FBI international SK symposium in 2006, the definition of serial killer was changed from three victims to only two. This was done to make it easier for local PDs to request FBI assistance and their unlimited resources in SK investigations.
In 2004 an OSBI analyst noticed the high volume of victims located near interstates. By 2009 the FBI Trucker Serial Killer Initiative was established. Over 500 victims and 200 long haul trucker POIs & Suspects were identified by FBI VICAP analysts in less than four years. -
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2009/april/highwayserial_040609 -See Map
Imo, this is only two of the many reasons that the estimates by officials of active predators/SKs in the US are very low.
"Awareness is the key"..
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Interesting read, imo;
JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS BY JOHN DOUGLAS(1997); Author and retired FBI BSU; Behavioral Science Unit Behavioral Profiler. JD penetrates the minds and motives of the most terrifying prolific predators/serial killers.
John Douglas, was one of the early pioneers of the FBIs Elite BSU and many of the techniques, strategies, and procedures used in tracking and identifying unidentified subjects today can be attributed to his experiences into the abyss or darkness
'The FBI BSU's name was later changed to the BAU for obvious reasons; (BS Unit), which was referred too as the witches unit due to it being located 60' underground, with dim lighting/no windows, and their unique ability to enter the darkness of the minds that they frequently and routinely encountered'..
Prologue: In the Mind of a Killer
This isnt the Hollywood version. It isnt sanitized, or prettied up, or rendered into art. This is the way it really happens. If anything, its worse than the way I describe it
AS I HAD SO MANY TIMES BEFORE, I PUT MYSELF IN THE MIND OF THE KILLER.. Quote: by John Douglas...
Journey Into Darkness: John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker: 9781439199817: Amazon.com: Books
He goes on to say that he also puts his head into the head of the victim also to be able to see the whole picture
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This experience could cause a strong minded person, severe physical and mental health issues, imo..
As do Catholic Priests that perform multiple exorcisms, Agent Douglas, paid a hefty price with his health, even though he possessed a high tolerance level, due to the enormous level of evil that he and his team encountered...